My Phil Jackson Experience

[SammyG]

I know I posted this in casual too, suck my dick.

There was a basketball tournament being held this weekend in Polson, Montana. My friend Brie, who is Phil Jackson's god daughter, and I had planned on visiting her cabin after the games and slam dunk contest was over. Her family's cabin is right next to Phil's on the lake, and they had invited him over for a campfire. Me and my friend Tyler were trying to keep our composure as we made the drive up there. We pull up to see Phil sitting there in front of the lake, flip flops, jeans, sweater. Very casual attire, relaxing staring off into the lake. We had bought supplies for the campfire, and brought it out. The second he looked at me and said hey, I almost froze. My first words were "Mr. Jackson, this is an incredible honor, my name is Sam." We got the fire going, s'mores, campfire pies, all that good stuff. They had warned me to not ask him too many basketball related questions, Brie's family that is. Phil seems genuinely retired and is putting the game behind him. He is a VERY knowledgeable man, it's crazy. He was sharing stories of trips to New Zealand and all different sorts of animals. He seemed very interested in the fact that I grew up in Greece and kept asking questions. A funny moment occured when I asked him if he had any peyote on him for me to smoke, which he responded to with "You don't smoke that", just like he did in his last press conference. Pictures and autographs were off limits, as he told me he likes to keep his privacy. I couldn't completely hold back however, when everyone went inside for a bit, I told him it's difficult for me to not ask him any basketball questions. I started off by telling him I read his books, and one of them for class and he was enthused by that. I asked him how Kobe was doing, and he said he was fine, got knee treatment in Germany and is feeling better than ever, apparently. He also told me that he thinks this lockout will shorten the season, and is personally happy for Kobe, cuz it will be great for his overall health. Then he started talking about how his friend Howard changed his name to Andy for some reason, so I asked him if he'd ever call Ron Artest by his new name, Metta world peace. He simply looked at me, shook his head and chuckled. Additionally, I had to ask him about the Mike Brown hire. He told me Mike Brown is a really nice man, but he isn't sure he's a good coach, and that the Lakers were definitely headed in a different direction. That made me sad to hear. Finally, we talked about some of his experiences coaching in Puerto Rico, when I heard Brie's mom come up and tell me that I needed to stop talking about basketball. We had a couple beers, BSed a bit, and then me and my friend Tyler took off. I wish I had pictures to show you guys, because this night was definitely memorable for me. Phil is a very laid back dude, very intelligent and it was a wonderful night meeting him

I also forgot to mention the fact that he brought up Tex, and how he is really struggling unfortunately. He seems to be able to understand, but can not form complete sentences or speak coherently

It really was a fantastic conversation. The lake in front of us was so peaceful, we got to see an eagle fly down an osprey, while eating s'mores and what not. At first I was nervous, cuz the second we got there was like, "Young men, could you just go get some firewood for the fire and start this fire?" We were like "Holy .. you know what, YES SIR MR JACKSON"

Phil just knows SO much. His usage of words is incredible as well, he is so well spoken. OH, hahahaha, I forgot to mention that he dropped the F bomb randomly at one point of a conversation. We also discussed the tragic event that occured in Norway, he seemed geniunely appalled by it. He also called a girl a BIATCH minus the A at one point, don't remember what that was. Brie's grandma brought up Jeanie at one point, and Phil said she's doing great. Any question I would have to ask about Jeanie would result into him throwing me into the lake.

WHAT A NIGHT LADS