Chapter 81: The Great Coach
Alright, let's give this a more laid-back, web fiction vibe:
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Even though folks often rag on Phil for not thinking on his feet, the dude's a killer coach 'cause he knows how to turn raw talent into pure gold.
That's why Alaric's so dead set on joining the Lakers. For a young gun, playing under a legendary coach early on is like hitting the jackpot compared to being stuck on a losing team. The right environment can make or break you.
Ray Allen and Kobe were both part of the epic '96 draft class. Ray got picked 5th by the Timberwolves, and Kobe went 13th to the Hornets. Both teams were in small towns with zero star power. So, Kobe got shipped to LA, while Ray ended up in Milwaukee, an even tinier spot. From the get-go, Ray had it rougher than Kobe.
In Alaric's past life, before Phil took over the Lakers, Kobe's scoring wasn't all that. In the '98-'99 season, he played 37.9 minutes a game but only put up 19.9 points, 5.3 boards, and 3.8 dimes. Back then, not many were betting on Kobe, even though he was an All-Star. It wasn't until Phil came along that Kobe started turning into a superstar.
So, what's the point of tactics on the court? It's all about creating chances. On offense, it's about getting good looks; on defense, it's about shutting down the other guys.
A smaller player can outrun a bigger one, and a bigger player can out-reach a smaller one. These are all chances, which is why pick-and-rolls work so well. Players who can go one-on-one can also create their own shots.
If a player can score efficiently against single coverage, does the team really need fancy plays? On the flip side, if a player thinks they can take over the game, will they pass the ball? Will they lead the team? Stay humble? Listen to the coach?
These kinds of players need a guide, not just a tactician.
The stronger someone is, the more they feel they gotta take on more. The more they take on, the more obsessed they get. And the more obsessed they get, the more likely they are to go off the deep end.
Stars think they gotta do it all, so they take 30 or 40 shots a game, score 30 or 40 points, handle every play, and even grab the coach's playbook, only for the team to lose. Michael used to be like that. Without Phil, Michael wouldn't have become the "God of Basketball."
Phil can get players with top-ten potential to follow his game plan, attack when needed, play one-on-one when needed, pass when needed, and hustle on defense. At the same time, he can make role players fit into the system perfectly. That's his genius.
Some say Michael, Kobe, and Shaq made Phil. That's not quite right. These three had the potential to be top ten in history, and they made it by following Phil's methods, which also made Phil a legend.
Phil's smoothing out Alaric's rough edges to keep him from turning into an overconfident, selfish player. Plus, he's pairing him with defensive specialists to unlock his full potential.
Alaric gets what Phil's doing; he's got a mature mindset. But that doesn't mean there aren't bumps in the road.
Alaric's role as the main ball handler for the second unit in practice has ticked off Isaiah Rider. Before the preseason even kicked off, Isaiah went to the coaching staff demanding more ball-handling time.
Last season, he averaged 17.9 shots a game. Now with the Lakers, he's not only a bench player but also has to play off the ball. How's he supposed to deal with that?
After hearing Isaiah's gripes, Phil just leaned back and asked, "Isaiah, why'd you come to the Lakers?"
Isaiah, sounding like a robot, said, "To help the Lakers defend the championship, win a ring, change how people see me, and prove I'm not a team cancer." He was just parroting what his agent had drilled into him during talks with Mitch.
Phil grinned and said, "If you show you're not a cancer, you might score a big contract next summer. So, you're not here to fight for ball-handling time, right?"
Isaiah nodded. No point in lying. He wanted a big contract this year, but no team was biting, so he ended up with the Lakers.
Phil kept going, "The Lakers don't have the cap space to give you a big contract. You knew that from the jump, so you're only here for this season. Alaric's a hot rookie who's gonna be with us for at least two seasons. He's got more potential and is worth developing. Get why I'm giving him the ball-handling duties?"
Isaiah got it, and he had nothing more to say. No one in their right mind would ditch a promising rookie for a one-year troublemaker.
Phil's way of talking to players is all about laying out the facts. He makes it so clear that even if it stings, you can't argue. Even Dennis had to fall in line 'cause he had no leg to stand on.
Phil's voice was calm, but Isaiah could feel the underlying threat. Keep pushing, and he'd be cut from the team. He wasn't here to help the Lakers defend the title; he was here to fight for ball-handling time. It was obvious, even if he didn't admit it.
If he got cut mid-season, his NBA career would be toast. No team would touch him, and getting axed by the Lakers would prove he was a lost cause.
Isaiah might be a pain, but he wasn't dumb. He didn't dare bring up the ball-handling thing again.
After setting him straight, Phil softened his tone, "I know you're not thrilled, so I'll give you a shot to prove yourself. Kobe's not gonna play much in the preseason. If you can lead the team and get us a good record with the ball in your hands, I'll think about giving you more chances and playing time in the regular season. Deal?"
"Deal," Isaiah said. He didn't have much choice. This was better than nothing.
"Alright, go get some rest and show up strong in tomorrow's game," Phil smiled, basically telling him to scram.
Once Isaiah was out, assistant coach Kurt asked, "If you give him the ball in the preseason, does that mean Alaric's playing off the ball?"
"Nope, I'm planning to cut Alaric's minutes in the preseason to save his energy for the regular season. He's got a good handle and rhythm. He's been killing it in practice and doesn't need much more adjustment," Phil said coolly.
"You trust him that much?" Kurt grinned. He figured Phil didn't want other teams to get a read on Alaric too soon. No summer league or Drew League tapes, but the preseason was a different story and could give opponents some intel.
"I think he'll be a game-changer for the Lakers in the regular season. Let Isaiah mess around in the preseason. Once he sees his own limits, he'll be more compliant."
Phil didn't expect much from Isaiah. This setup was just to give the stars some rest. The Shaq-Kobe duo and Horace didn't need to prove anything; they could save their energy for the real games.
Phil also wanted to test Alaric's attitude. If he got salty about ball-handling time, Phil would have a little chat with him too.