Deep down, though, the two men still did not completely see basketball, victory, and defeat the same way.
The locker room door was gently pushed open.
Phil Jackson walked in at an unhurried pace.
The Zen Master still wore his signature loose-fitting jacket, his expression steady and devoid of wild jubilation.
The noisy locker room gradually fell quiet.
Every player turned to look at the head coach.
Phil Jackson slowly swept his gaze across every face in the room.
"Congratulations on this win."
He spoke calmly, without an impassioned celebratory speech.
"But although we won, we have not truly settled into our roles."
The cheers in the locker room gradually disappeared completely.
Everyone listened intently.
"The battle has likely only just begun."
Phil Jackson's gaze fell on the OK Duo before sweeping over the role players.
"In my plan, this series will go at least six games."
"This is only the third game."
"From this point on, the series officially enters its most intense stage."
"At a time like this, we have to hold our breath and keep fighting."
"Once we lose that edge, we lose."
The room fell silent.
The smiles on the players' faces gradually faded, replaced by solemnity once more.
The excitement from the win was slowly pressed down by the Zen Master's words.
They had just tasted the sweetness of victory, but they could not afford to relax now.
Glen Rice leaned against his locker and nodded lightly.
He had gone 4-for-7 from three tonight and had been one of the driving forces behind the Lakers' perimeter explosion.
He knew the Knicks would never surrender without a fight.
Steve Kerr rubbed the wristband around his fingers, his expression grave.
His hot touch in Game 3 might not carry over unchanged into the next game.
Toni Kukoč