Phil: "We can't carry the ball like Nash does. I'm hilarious, huh Jeanie?" Jeanie: "I'm not laughing with you, Phil. I'm laughing at you."

It’s a right of passage each spring, come NBA playoff time: Phil Jackson picks out the best player on an opposing team and singles him out for something he does against the rules.

In round one, it was Kevin Durant.  Round two, Jackson actually decided not to complain about anything — he figured the Jazz couldn’t possibly compete with the Lakers anyway.

Now, Jackson’s decided to tackle Steve Nash.  (L.A. Times)

Jackson praised Nash this week for pushing the Suns past San Antonio despite playing with a comically swollen right eye, but he wasn’t as flattering when asked whether it was tough for the Lakers to simulate the perennial All-Star during their practices this week.

“Yeah, because you can’t carry the ball like he does in practice,” Jackson said. “Can’t pick that ball up and run with it.”

Is anybody else sick of Phil Jackson’s mind games?  He’s the only coach in the league who feels the necessity to complain about an opponent before every series, and he never fails to do it in a bush-league way.  He doesn’t just complain, he takes shots at people.  And Phil’s probably picked the wrong target this time around: Nash isn’t going to be phased by Jackson’s comments, and if you think an NBA official is going to call Nash for carrying you are out of your bloodclot mind.

Just shut up, Phil.  Your act is getting old.