The 2018 year has been a turbulent one for the global economy, with many people and industries predicting doom-and-gloom scenarios. However, those predictions have proven to be overstated: we’re still here!
Of course, there is no denying that this was an eventful twelve months on both sides of the Atlantic. The question remains: what will 2019 hold in store?
What’s your prediction?
“See you next year” is a phrase that is used in many different contexts. It can mean “I’ll see you later,” or “goodbye.” The phrase has been around for centuries and its meaning varies depending on the context.
Phil Jackson was a big believer in employing psychological tricks to encourage his team, even admitting defeat in the midst of a crucial Los Angeles Lakers playoff game.
In the fourth quarter of Game 7 of the 2000 Western Conference Finals, the Lakers were in serious trouble. Before quickly departing the huddle, Jackson boldly hinted that LA may not have enough to overcome the Portland Trail Blazers.
Jackson’s message was serious, which may have turned off his players. Instead, the Lakers staged one of the greatest NBA Playoff comebacks in history.
The Los Angeles Lakers were on the brink of losing the Western Conference Finals against the Portland Trail Blazers in 2000.
The Lakers seemed to have a grip on the Western Conference Finals in 2000 at first.
After a dominant second half of Game 4, Phil Jackson’s side jumped out to a 3-1 series lead. Furthermore, the Lakers were able to play Game 5 at home. The Blazers, on the other hand, stormed back into the series.
Portland won Game 5 in Los Angeles, thanks to an impassioned gesture from Scottie Pippen. The Blazers subsequently won Game 6 on their own floor to even the series. Portland had all of the momentum all of a sudden.
Early in Game 7, the Blazers took it to the Lakers. They outscored LA 29-19 in the third quarter to establish a 13-point advantage into the fourth quarter, which they eventually increased to 15 with little over 10 minutes remaining.
The Lakers seemed to be on the verge of being eliminated from the playoffs. Rather of trying to motivate his players, Phil Jackson intended to put them in a position where they were certain to lose.
Phil Jackson warned his teammates that they may not be talented enough to win the championship.
In a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trailblazers in 2000, Phil Jackson drops his head down after calling a timeout | Scott Nelson/AFP via Getty Images
The Lakers had ended up in a ditch. Phil Jackson delegated the task of salvaging the situation to his players.
Former Lakers center Shaquille O’Neal recounted what Jackson said at the start of the fourth quarter on an episode of TNT’s NBA Open Court (h/t YouTube, 8:00 mark). Jackson, according to Shaq, kept things short and sweet.
“‘OK fellas,’ [Phil Jackson] walked in and said. We had a fantastic year. Perhaps we aren’t prepared for this group. ‘I’ll see you next year,’ she says. Then he simply went out again.”
–NBA Open Court Shaquille O’Neal
When it comes to encouraging their players, some managers choose to be more fiery. Jackson, true to his moniker and Buddhist beliefs, moved in a completely opposite way.
The Zen Master’s remark that Los Angeles wasn’t “ready” for the Blazers had almost embarrassing overtones. That appeared to be enough to stoke his teammates’ enthusiasm. Everyone glanced around in surprise as Shaq spoke, before exclaiming, “Oh hell no!” and returned to the court.
Jackson had effectively irritated his teammates. One of the greatest comebacks in NBA history was initiated by the Lakers.
The Lakers came back to win the game and the series in dramatic fashion.
The Lakers utilized Jackson’s remarks as motivation, quickly regaining control of the game.
With just over 10 minutes left in the game, Shaq hit a basket to give Portland a 75-60 lead. That was the start of a huge run. The Lakers tied the game with a 13-point run, with the Blazers responding with a 12-point run of their own.
With a pair of 3-pointers, including the one that knotted the game with four minutes left, Brian Shaw aided LA’s surge. With under three minutes to go, Rasheed Wallace broke the Blazers’ scoring drought, and Sheed kept the Blazers alive with another jumper little over a minute later. However, it was too late.
The Lakers were on fire. To give LA a tiny lead, Kobe Bryant scored four consecutive baskets and then connected with O’Neal with one of the most legendary lobs in NBA history. The play ripped the roof off the Staples Center and put the finishing touches on the comeback.
If LA had lost the game, the front office may have disbanded the squad, as Shaq said on Open Court. Instead, the Lakers’ comeback catapulted them to a third consecutive NBA championship.
If it weren’t for Phil Jackson’s blunt honesty and sharp motivating techniques, that historic run may have been lost to history.
Basketball Reference provided the statistics.
Larry Bird Cried Foul in the 1998 NBA Playoffs, and Phil Jackson Reacted Brutally: ‘Everybody Knows What Larry Got.’
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“I’ll See You Guys Next Year” is a song by American singer-songwriter, John Mayer. The lyrics are about how the speaker wants to see his friends again next year, but if they don’t show up he will have to say goodbye. Reference: see you next year or not lyrics.
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