Phil Jackson: Head Coach and Head Therapist

Game Five of the championship series between the Celtics and the Lakers means possible elimination for Coach Phil Jackson’s team. The Lakers trail the series 3 - 1. A win in Game Five (or Game Six or Game Seven) means a championship for the Boston Celtics. Game Four was devastating for the Lakers. It was a historical collapse and losing a game in which, at one point, the Lakers had a twenty four point lead. Phil Jackson commentary was:

“…I just told them as a team, they had their heart ripped out. It’s tough to recover from that, but they will. This thing is not over, and we want to force the action, want to continue to force the play.”

About forty years ago, Dr. Martin Seligman described in the psychological literature a phenomenon called ‘learned helplessness’. He drew parallels between learned helplessness and clinical depression. In learned helplessness, the subjects of his studies felt that the outcomes were beyond their control. They perceived that they were, in effect, helpless to change outcomes.

This might be Phil Jackson’s greatest challenge. His main task might not be plays and substitution. Instead, Phil Jackson’s focus may be to convince his team that indeed they can win. The Lakers know that a lead over the Celtics is not insurmountable. With outside shooters and an inside presence, the Celtics have shown that a twenty four point deficit is manageable. If the Lakers have a lead, the question will haunt them as to whether the Celtics will be able to erase the deficit.

If the Lakers fall behind in the game, will learned helplessness determine play? Will the Lakers feel that this Boston team will dominate them, as they did in the first two games in Boston and in Game Four in Los Angeles. Will an early lead by the Celtics seal the fate of the Lakers?

The best scenario for the Lakers is securing an early lead and building upon that lead relentlessly. In Dr. Seligman’s learned helplessness model, the Lakers have to convince themselves that they can control the outcome. Phil Jackson’s task will be as much ‘head therapist’ as head coach.

Much of the outcome of Game Five will depend on Kobe Bryant. After the Game Four melt-down, will Kobe Bryant trust his team mates? Will Kobe Bryant try to carry the Lakers through Game Five by taking over the game from start to finish? Kobe Bryant’s reputation took a beating in Game Four. Professional basketball’s reputed ‘best closer’ could not protect a twenty four point lead. Some basketball reporters have said that should end all Kobe Bryant comparisons with Michael Jordan. The sentiment is that no Michael Jordan team would squander such a huge lead, in a championship series. That will be a debate that will not be answered soon. The pressing issues is whether Phil Jackson can convince this team that they can win Game Five and prevent the Celtics from celebrating a championship… on the Lakers’ home court.

Catherine Forsythe

Vision Problems: Marking a Trail for Your Dog

Through accident, aging or genetics, your dog may have a sight problem. In most cases, with familiar surroundings, the dog has amazing coping abilities. However, there are situation that can prove to be dangerous, like stairs for example. Here is where the humans can call upon the dog’s sense of smell to offer the dog more information.

Let’s use the example of stairs. If your vision impaired dog has a problem with stairs, it is possible to give the dog olfactory clues. With a cotton swab, dip the cotton end in perfume or cologne. Touch the cotton swab to the edge of the step. Keep going up in the straight line and do the same procedure with each step. You will have marked a trail for your dog. Each step will have a scent identifier, as to where the edge is.

You may be curious as to why a cotton swab is used. The reason is to prevent a mixed scent with you and the fragrance. The goal is to have as pure a fragrance / scent for the dog to identify and track. If the onset of the vision problem is sudden and the dog have navigation problems in the house, this method can be used to identify corners, furniture and other such obstacles. Some people go and buy a different perfume or cologne to make it easier on the dog. You can test the fragrance on a inconspicuous spot to see if it causes any staining. If your dog has a sight problem, this scent trail will produce a “marked” improvement.

Catherine Forsythe

Dogs and Dehydration

In some parts of this hemisphere, the hot weather has arrived. This is a reminder to check your dog if your canine pal is accompanying you outside in the warm weather. As a dog ages, it may not be able to tolerate the heat as well. This may be noticeable, even from summer to summer.

Whenever possible, offer the dog some water on a regular basis. Take care to note the dog’s behaviour and appearance. Dehydration calls for your immediate response to prevent circulation problems and organ damage. At some point in the dehydration process, the dog may not want water (or is not able to intake the water). Veterinary assistance is required immediately.

There is a quick method to check on the dog. Here is an example that starts with a self example. With two fingers, pinch the skin on the back of your other hand. Pinch the skin so that it forms a peak and then release it. You will see that the skin quickly returns to place. That is because dehydration is not a problem for you and your skin has its normal elasticity. Your dog, depending in small part on the breed, has the same sort of elasticity. Try it with your dog and see. Note that this is under normal conditions and the dog does not have a fluid problem. For your dog, this is how the skin should respond.

When there is a problem, the elasticity of the dog’s skin changes. The small peak of skin that you pinched does not return to its natural place quickly. It may return slowly. This tells you that a problem is well in progress. The dog should be offered water and have veterinary assistance. It may need intravenous fluids.

The precaution also extends to experienced dog owners. As mentioned previously, dogs age quickly and are not as tolerate of heat changes. There may be underlying medical problems that have not yet to be identified and begin to show themselves during hot weather changes. It is just prudent to know what is normal for your dog and note any changes when you and your dog are out in the summer weather.

Catherine Forsythe