Associated Press
DALLAS ó So long, Phil.
So long, chances for another Lakers three-peat.
Hello, Western Conference finals for Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks.
Jason Terry tied an NBA postseason record with nine 3-pointers and the Mavericks matched a league playoff mark with 20 3s on their way to a 122-86 victory over the Lakers on Sunday, giving them a sweep of their second-round series against the most successful coach in NBA history and the two-time defending champions.
Terry made five 3s in the second quarter, personally outscoring Los Angeles 20-16 in the period as Dallas went ahead by 24 at halftime. When Terry made 3s on consecutive possessions early in the third quarter, he drained whatever comeback hopes the Lakers had left. Their frustration spilled early in the fourth with vicious cheap shots by Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum that got them ejected 45 seconds apart.
By then, the 65-year-old Jackson knew it was over ó the game, the series and his remarkable career.
ěItís been a wonderful run,î he said.
The Zen Master is retiring again, and he says itís for good this time. The sour taste of his first sweep in 21 postseasons, and his second-widest margin of defeat, canít override all the sweet days.
A Hall of Famer since 2007, he leaves with a record 11 titles, and only 10 series losses. Take away Red Auerbach, who won nine championships, and Jackson won more titles than any two coaches combined. He won six championships with Michael Jordan, three with Kobe Bryant and Shaquille OíNeal, and the last two with Bryant leading the way.
He had to be talked into coming back this year. The lure of chasing a 12th title, bundled neatly as four three-peats, did it, but he knew it would be tough with a team worn down by three straight years of reaching the finals.
ě(That) puts a lot of strain on the basketball club from all angles: personalities, spiritually, physically, emotionally, and getting charged up for game after game and assault after assault when you go in and play a team,î Jackson said. ěIt was a challenge bigger than we could beat.î
Four of Jacksonís five kids flew to Dallas for this game, in case it was the end. On Saturday, Jackson called that ěa drag that I donít need,î but by Sunday afternoon he was probably happy to have them around. They sat near the Lakers bench, wearing yellow hats with Roman numerals marking his 10th and 11th championships.
Then there was his extended family ó his coaches and players, especially Bryant.
ěI grew up under him,î Bryant said. ěThe way I approach thingsó not only basketball, life in general ó comes from him. Itís a little weird for me to think of what next year is going to be like.î