Brokeback Mountain Defense

Phil Jackson took some heat from the NBA after his postgame remarks compared the Lakers defense to Brokeback Mountain.

"We call this a 'Brokeback Mountain' game, because there's so much penetration and kickouts," Jackson said. "It was one of those games."

The reporters, including John "Peanut-Head" Ireland who asked the question that prompted the remark, immediately started laughing at statement.

I would have made the same comment had my team let Cal State Fullerton alum Bruce Bowen hit six 3-pointers against them. How does that guy outscore Kobe Bryant?

The league did not fine Jackson over the comments, but issued a statement that the Lakers assured them that further remarks like that would not happen.

Of course, the Gay & Lesbian Against Defamation immediately released a statement:

"Phil Jackson's been coaching long enough that he should be able to talk about the Lakers' performance without resorting to cheap gay jokes," the statement read.

Jackson is probably the only coach in the NBA that can get away with a comment like that with just a slap on the hand. He plays mind games with all of the league, and just sits back and smiles at the results.

I would be intimidated to sit down to dinner with the dude. He could probably get me to think that I am a hyena and belong in the Carbon Canyon hills.

*UPDATE: The fact that ESPN blew this out of proportion prompted Phil Jackson to issue a video apology. The best part was that Jackson was pretty much sarcastic, basically saying "Eff you ESPN for even making this a story." He did not apologize to homosexuals directly, but to "Texas, cowboys, or anyone this has affected."

Jackson is classic. He just made fun of all of Texas in that apology. Genius.