Before the opening round of the playoffs, Lakers coach Phil Jackson had some words toward opponent Kevin Durant and the officials that he gets extra calls as a superstar. Jackson got fined by the NBA and the Lakers beat Durant’s Thunder. I guess it was worth it…

Now, before the conference finals against the Suns, the Zen Master has another target – Steve Nash. Here are Jackson’s comments on the two-time MVP in regard to preparing for him in Lakers’ practice:

“Yeah, because you can’t carry the ball like he does in practice. You can’t pick that ball up and run with it.”

This is exactly the reason Phil Jackson is either hated or loved by fans around the NBA. He knows how to at least try to get into people’s heads and it’s up to them to decide if they will let his words affect them.

Does Nash carry? I would say he does sometimes, but they will not call that unless it’s insanely obvious. Will it affect Nash? Nope, not one bit.

Here is Nash’s rebuttal on Jackson’s comment:

“It’s news to me. I’m fortunate. I don’t know if I’ve been called for a carry yet. I’ve never heard anyone accuse me of carrying it. I mean, the best coach in the league Gregg Popovich didn’t have a problem with it last week.”

OH SNAP!

So apparently Nash has his own mind games… Coach Pop as the best in the league, get it? I’d like to know if Coach Jackson has a rebuttal for Nash’s rebuttal – or will he just wait for his players to respond once the games start.

This should be a VERY fun series to watch – starting Monday night in LA.

-Shooter