He’s Had His Phil of Doubting Jackson

Jay Mariotti of the Chicago Sun-Times on Phil Jackson: “He has proved himself beyond doubt as the supreme basketball chemist, once again squeezing peace, harmony and a dominant team for the ages from a complicated, combustible situation.

“His reputation was in serious limbo as recently as last month, when a coach with seven rings appeared to be running a three-ring circus, seemingly clueless how to resolve the ego-driven turmoil between Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant.

“Shame on us for doubting him.”

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Trivia time: Who holds the Laker record for field-goal percentage in a playoff game with a minimum of 10 shots?

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Invincible? Wow! Michael Wilbon of the Washington Post, writing before the Lakers closed out the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday:

“You think Milwaukee, my pick to win the Eastern Conference, can get a game off the Lakers? I don’t. I think Shaq is more likely to score 60 points against Ervin Johnson and Scott Williams than the Bucks are to beat the Lakers once.

“Every game the Lakers win leads them to the conclusion that all they can do is win, that they cannot possibly lose, that they are infallible and maybe even invincible.”

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Be like Mike: “Where does Vince “The Graduate” Carter get off attending commencement in North Carolina before [a] playoff game?” asks David Whitley of the Orlando Sentinel.

“He could have taken a limo from Philly over to Atlantic City for something really important Saturday night, like five-card stud. Hey, it used to work for [Michael] Jordan.”

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Beatable now: Scott Ostler in the San Francisco Chronicle: “Al Davis recently lost his $1.2-billion suit against the NFL in Los Angeles. It was the kind of trial Davis used to win standing on his head. In the old days, Davis came across to members of a jury as a charming rogue battling the bullies.

“This time the bully out-charmed Davis, and when you get out-charmed by Paul Tagliabue, you’re runner-up to Shrek in a beauty contest. Let’s face it: It could be that Al Davis has lost his spitball.”

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More Ostler: “Barry Bonds, when asked to explain his homer blitzkrieg: ‘Call God. Ask Him.’ So I did (collect!). God said: ‘I’ll explain that, if you explain why the Giants didn’t give Bonds a new contract before his price went through the roof.’ ”

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Historical precedent: Jim Armstrong in the Denver Post: “There has been some speculation that the Cardinals might use Rick Ankiel at first base for a while in the minors so he can cool his heels.

“Not gonna happen. Although for the record, the last time the Cardinals switched a pitcher to a position player [outfield] because he couldn’t find the mitt, his name was Stan Musial.”

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Trivia answer: James Worthy, 11 of 12, .917, against Boston on May 31, 1984.

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And finally: Tom FitzGerald in the San Francisco Chronicle: “Former Providence College point guard God Shammgod is playing in the U.S. Basketball League in an effort to get another NBA shot.

“He played in just 20 games over two years with Washington, which drafted him in 1997. How strange. The Wizards hope Michael Jordan will be their savior, but God wasn’t good enough for a spot on the bench.”