In Game Five of the Lakers - Spurs series, the Spurs built an impressive seventeen point lead. Clearly, the Spurs had a sense of urgency about this possible elimination game. They were more energetic than the Lakers. Some might say that they were more desperate.

With the Spurs holding a seventeen point lead, Phil Jackson made a key coaching decision. He played his bench rotation with one starter. He put on the court Sasha Vujacic, Ronny Turiaf, Luke Walton, Jordan Farmar and Lamar Odom from the starting unit. It was a calculated risk. With the Spurs holding a seventeen point lead and playing well, any increase in the points deficit could have meant an insurmountable edge. That would have meant that the Spurs would have Game Six on their home court.

This second unit, along with Lamar Odom, did not allow the deficit to increase. They managed to narrow the Spurs lead from seventeen point to a manageable eleven points. It made the game a contest again.

Phil Jackson could have stayed with more of his starters and relied on his best lineup to close the deficit. Instead, he trusted his bench players and he kept to his usual player rotation. He allowed four of his starters their normal rest. Perhaps it was a calculated gamble, since the starting unit had allowed the Spurs to build the lead. The decision to play the second unit, with Lamar Odom, showed a trust in his young players. It was relying on the experience and playing time acquired during the regular season. Phil Jackson believed and trusted his young bench players. And they did not disappoint.

Catherine Forsythe
Director of Operations
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