Rival Coach Gregg Popovich Impressed by Lakers

San Antonio may have gotten the win Wednesday, bu the Spurs’ Coach Gregg Popovich was impressed with the team and Phil Jackson’s direction. Popovich credited Jackson for shaping the Lakers into a determined team, driven to win an NBA championship after losing to the Boston Celtics in the 2008 NBA Finals. Popovich told the L.A. Times, “The first thing you see is a team that believes. Phil has got them to the point where they believe they’re the best team in the league. They’re a hungry team, so they are going to be more serious from the very beginning.”

“In having not won in the Finals last year, they want to come in this year and make the statement early,” Popovich continued. “I think that sort of confidence and that edge is there. Where it had to be sort  of learned and groomed and established last year, they came in with it this year. So I think that’s a little bit different for them.” To see the rest of what Popovich had to say about the Lakers go to the LATimes.com. The Lakers host Orlando Magic tonight at Staples Center.
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