Game Four of the NBA championship series was a 99-91 victory for the L.A. Lakers over the Orlando Magic. It may have been one of Coach Phil Jackson’s finest moments in managing a game - and a series. Phil Jackson showed faith and trust in his players… and he was rewarded with a victory.

A win for the Magic would have made the series even, with two victories each. Then it would have been a best of three with the fifth game in Orlando. The first half of Game Four forced Phil Jackson to make some critical decisions:

Foul trouble forced Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol to the bench in the first quarter. Phil Jackson turned to his less experienced players and used his reserves. Bench players such as Josh Powell and D.J. Mbenga were playing critical minutes. The Lakers needed to prevent more fouls to their key players and yet keep the game close enough to have a chance to make it competitive. Phil Jackson trusted his bench players.

Trevor Ariza had terrible production in the first half. He scored no points. It would have been an understandable move to replace Ariza to begin the second half. Phil Jackson stayed with Trevor Ariza and did not disrupt his lineup for the second half. Phil Jackson trusted Trevor Ariza and was rewarded with a thirteen point performance in the third quarter. It brought the Lakers back from a twelve point half time deficit.

The shot that tied the game was a Derek Fisher three point launch at the end of regulation time. The shot that sealed the game for the Lakers was a Derek Fisher three point shot in overtime. Those shots happened only because Phil Jackson trusted the experience of his veteran point guard and played Derek Fisher in those critical moments. It would have been understandable if Phil Jackson has sat Derek Fisher. Up to the final minutes of the last quarter, Derek Fisher had missed all five of his three point attempts. The long distance shots were not falling for Derek Fisher. In addition, he was having trouble staying with the speedy Magic guards, like Rafer Alston and Jameer Nelson. Nevertheless, Phil Jackson stayed with Derek Fisher and his point guard made critical shots.

Phil Jackson was not the only one to demonstrate trust in the critical moments of Game Four. In overtime, Kobe Bryant made his move to the basket and was swarmed by Magic defenders. Kobe Bryant could have tried to put up a shot. Instead, he passed to Derek Fisher who was beyond the three point line. Derek Fisher shot and placed the L.A. Lakers one game away from the NBA championship. Critical three point shooting won the game for the Lakers but the victory really was delivered by trust.

Catherine Forsythe