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Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Phil Jackson: “Celtics have a defense you have to plan for”

This article was originally published for CelticsLife.com

In a recent interview with the Waddle & Silvy Show, Lakers’ coach; Phil Jackson, was asked his thoughts on the Miami Heat and their slow start. Jackson voiced his opinion that, sooner or later, Pat Riley may be asked step in as coach in place of Erik Spoelstra.

Jackson also shared some comments on Boston, whom he still believes are the team to beat in the East.

"The Celtics have a defense you have to plan for”, said Jackson. “Their defense is overwhelmingly a factor in the ballgame. They're going to smother. They're going to really contest. They're going to body guys. There's going to be double-teaming underneath the free throw line. There are a lot of things that go on there that you have to start planning for.

"Right now, Miami hasn't kind of shown -- the defense has improved recently -- they haven't really shown this is something you really have to plan for. You have to plan how to defend these great individuals that they have. And that's going to be part of the planning. Boston still gives you a multiple effect as a basketball team."

Many wondered whether the Celtics’ defense would fall off a bit this year with associate head coach and defensive guru, Tom Thibodeau, leaving to coach the Chicago Bulls. So far, that hasn’t been the case.

Boston is doing fine on that end without him, ranked 6th in the league in fewest points allowed per game (93.43).

Thibodeau’s defensive presence is definitely being felt in Chicago, however. They currently give up the 12th fewest points in the league (98.25).

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