Laker Clash: Should He Stay or Should He Go?

We already know how Pat Riley has done without Magic, Kareem and Worthy. We do not need to find out how Phil Jackson will do without Jordan. Laker fans deserve a full season with a steady roster. So does Kurt!

STEVE LAWRENCE

Los Angeles

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You want to beat a Depression and run a country? Get Roosevelt. Want a general for the army? Get Patton. Want to win a bunch of Super Bowls? Get Noll and Lombardi. Want to win World Series over and over? Get Miller Huggins. Want a Laker championship? Get Phil Jackson.

There’s something rare and unique in winning leadership.

Jerry and Jerry, a winner is there for the asking. If you want a general, get Patton, not Sgt. Bilko. Let us not hear any “we should haves” when Jackson is bringing home another NBA championship in some other town. Come to think of it, it could be the other Los Angeles team. Strange things happen.

KEN JOHNSON

Pinon Hills

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So, Jerry West (who can’t tell us whether he’ll honor his own contract) doesn’t want to “compete” with Phil Jackson. Jerry Buss would rather spend $6 million a year on a role player off the bench (Robert Horry) than for the best available coach in the NBA. The organization was played like a fool by Dennis Rodman. The team was swept in the playoffs once again, this time in the second round. What is going on here?

Despite all the problems, a championship could be theirs if they simply hired Jackson to install an offense, teach team defense, implement a consistent rotation, and stand up to any player who doesn’t buy into the game plan.

He will cost more than Kurt Rambis, to be sure, but does anyone think that Rambis really needed a full regular season to be able to make at least one adjustment against the Spurs? Kurt may very well develop into a great coach, but he will not be one next year.

If Laker management thinks that fans will wait for their interim coach to develop into a championship coach, they are mistaken. With the exception of a few weeks’ play, this team represented everything wrong with today’s NBA. Phil Jackson would immediately change that perception. How much is that worth, Jerry?

MARK MISAGHI

Santa Monica

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Dear Dr. Buss,

I hope you have learned something from this season. One, assembling a team with big names doesn’t guarantee a championship. Two, moving a lot of personnel around in the middle of the season doesn’t help team chemistry. Three, you shouldn’t undermine Jerry West. I think he knows more about basketball than you do. Four, if you expect us to fork out those extra bucks at Staples, you should also dig into your pocket to help the team. Ever heard about this guy named Phil Jackson? He’s won a lot of championships and he knows how to deal with player egos.

TOM CHENG

Chino

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Nice job with your rundown on the individual Laker players [May 24]. Here’s a second opinion:

Shaq: Maybe someday when he says, “We didn’t play smart,” he’ll include himself in the group.

Kobe: The heir Jordan stuff has got to stop. This kid couldn’t carry Michael’s jock. (He’d drop it off his foot and out of bounds).

Fisher: Has heart and mind of gold. Game of a fish.

Horry: Does the little stuff that doesn’t show up in the box score. What also doesn’t show up: baskets. Two or fewer baskets in 50% of Lakers’ games.

Fox: Any way we can transplant this guy’s heart, mind and attitude into 11 teammates?

Rice: During off-season needs to carefully watch Jaren Jackson game films. How would you like a dollar for every time this guy was late on the double team?

Harper: Retired two years ago, forgot to notify league office.

Reid: If this was his best season, never showed us his worst. Last time we saw a J shot from middle of chest was YMCA in 1949.

Knight: Six minutes and it’s good (K)night.

Rambis: Earned one more year just for standing up the entire game, 15 feet from the closest assistant coach or player.

West: Will never hire anyone he can’t take credit for. That’s how a Pfund is pfound.

BEN OSTROW

Van Nuys

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Readers may quibble about his alleged lack of respect for the game, his alleged lack of leadership, and his alleged lack of character, but it takes no genius to know that without Shaquille O’ Neal, the Lakers would not have done even as well as they did.

Let’s face it, with all due respect to Mr. Chamberlain, we have a phenomenon here unique in the history of the NBA. O’Neal’s size, strength and ability to use his body is such that he is absolutely a dominant force in the league without having to be a very good all-around player.

Even though he is limited at what he does, he is superb at it.

Is it good for the game? That’s another question.

LEWIS REDDING

Pasadena