Lakers head coach Phil Jackson is frustrated about the officiating during the Lakers' Game 1 loss against Dallas. But instead of complaining to the media, he's doing something about it.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Jackson sent tape of the game to the league office to file his official complaint about a supposed officiating mishap during Game 1. Jackson made his bitter feelings known after Tuesday's practice about not being able to make a substitution at the end of the fourth quarter with 20.3 seconds remaining on the clock.
At the time of the reported error, the Lakers were leading 94-93 and Dallas called a timeout, during which Jackson subbed Andrew Bynum for Lamar Odom. As soon as Jackson saw the Mavericks putting out a smaller lineup of Peja Stojakovic and J.J. Barea, however, he recanted on Bynum and wanted Steve Blake to go in for Odom instead. According to Jackson, however, the referees said he wasn't allowed to make the change.
"The decision at the end of the game where we couldn't put a substitute in, I think was misplaced," Jackson said. "That was something that changed the complexity of the last play. I've never had that happen to me in a ballgame before. In a dead-ball situation, someone can be substituted in or out. He doesn't have to be in there for a play."
Jackson claims the prevention from making the sub changed the outcome of the game. Bynum was forced to guard Jason Kidd on the inbounds play where he tipped the pass, triggering Lakers power forward Pau Gasol to go for the steal, resulting in the foul of Dirk Nowitzki. The forward sunk his two free throws to give the Mavericks the lead.
Jackson seems to be taking the high road this time with his criticisms, as he is working the system rather than outwardly complaining through the media.
Watch the frustrated Jackson in the video below.
