Will We Have A Phil Jackson In The MLB?

It appears that the Lakers' Phil Jackson might have gotten too Zen and lyrical in his latest comments alluding to the film Brokeback Mountain which have landed him in hot water. After Tuesday night's game against the San Antonio Spurs, Jackson was asked if there was too much penetration in the game which led to open outside shooters, after Spurs sunk 13 three-pointers.

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

The 2005 Oscar winner is a film about two homosexual cowboys who hide their affair from society.

Since then there has been outrage from the public over Jackson's comments.

While the remarks are certainly distasteful, as many tend to say - bad publicity oftentimes is still good publicity. It draws attention and creates interest, no matter what form.

While the MLB has its fair share of colorful characters, too often there has been a lack of comments that stir the ire or imagination of the media and fans. Certainly, we do not wish to see such ill-thought behavior, but the more controversy the game generates, the better and greater media space it will be afforded.

The NBA and NFL have prospered in this manner, due to somehow a lack of thought the sportsmen seem to afford their minds before opening their mouths. Yet despite all the negativity it produces at times, both leagues are still grabbing the headlines. If the MLB hopes to one day gain an even greater share of marketing potential, perhaps it might hope to leverage on a few borderline 'Phil Jackson's someday.