After racing to a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers were brought back to earth after the Denver Nuggets handed them a 114-106 defeat in Game 3 to cut their series lead to 2-1.
Before the loss, Los Angeles had won six straight games in the playoffs dating back to the Western Conference Semifinals against the Houston Rockets, so it’s understandable that some fans may be disappointed. Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, however, has the team’s back, and she’s using the words of one of the greatest NBA coaches as inspiration:
Phil reminded me “Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.” His point is stay focused on the task at hand. Laker Nation let’s be present together & send our energy to the team. Light a candle @ game time. Wear purple/gold. 💜🏀💛 pic.twitter.com/u73q34l6op
— Jeanie Buss (@JeanieBuss) September 23, 2020
Buss tweeted a picture of former Lakers head coach Phil Jackson wearing a Lakers sweater along with a quote about enlightenment, which emphasizes staying focused on the task at hand. In this case, it means getting to the NBA Finals, which the team is halfway to accomplishing despite the loss. The 58-year-old Buss then asked the team’s fans to be present and send their energy to the team and light a candle and wear Lakers colors.
Jackson, of course, is the winningest coach in NBA history with 11 championships, five of which were with the Lakers. His five titles with Los Angeles includes a three-peat from 2000-2002 with Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant.
Buss and Lakers fans will certainly hope that The Zen Master’s words rub off on the team. The Lakers will look to bounce back and take a 3-1 series lead against the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals on Thursday night.
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