Phil Jackson's back as Laker coach

[Sir Mawn]

ESPN reports:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2084948

[Sir Mawn]

Jackson apparently healthy
Associated Press

LOS ANGELES -- Phil Jackson is returning to the Los Angeles Lakers following a reconciliation with the team that cut him loose last year after three NBA championships in five seasons.

Spokesman John Black said Tuesday the team has rehired Jackson, who was let go by owner Jerry Buss last June 18.

A news conference was set for 5 p.m. EDT at Staples Center.

Jackson, who turns 60 in September, has had health issues in the past and underwent an angioplasty two years ago. He told ABC-TV before the opening game of the NBA Finals that he underwent a series of tests to make sure he was healthy.

Jackson's dismissal a year ago set in motion a makeover of massive proportions that proved to be disastrous.

Dominant big man Shaquille O'Neal demanded a trade and superstar Kobe Bryant opted out of his contract to become a free agent the same day Jackson's five-year run as coach ended.

The futures of O'Neal and Bryant were decided the following month, with O'Neal being traded to Miami and Bryant staying with the Lakers.

Rudy Tomjanovich succeeded Jackson, signing a five-year, $30 million contract, but lasted barely half a season, citing health reasons when he suddenly resigned Feb. 2.

Jackson's name was mentioned as a possible replacement almost immediately despite his having written a book detailing the 2003-04 season in which he called Bryant uncoachable and made other disparaging remarks about the franchise.

With injuries playing a major role, the Lakers lost 19 of their last 21 games under interim coach Frank Hamblen to finish 34-48 and out of the playoffs for just the second time since 1976.

Jackson has coached nine NBA championship teams -- six with the Chicago Bulls and in his first three years with the Lakers -- from 2000-2002. That ties him with former Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach for the most in league history.

Jackson also has a record 175 postseason victories and is tied for 10th on the NBA's all-time list with 830 wins in just 14 seasons -- nine with the Bulls and five with the Lakers. He has a .723 regular-season winning percentage and a .717 postseason winning percentage.

The Lakers were 285-125 in the regular season and 68-28 in the postseason under Jackson. But this figures to be his biggest challenge since the current team doesn't appear to have what it takes to return to elite status any time soon.

The Lakers are well over the salary cap, restricting their ability to bring in high-priced free-agent talent for at least two years. Their defense was abysmal last season; they had an unbalanced roster with too many small forwards; they had virtually no inside presence on either end of the court; and they were suspect at point guard.

Jeanie Buss, the owner's daughter and the Lakers' executive vice president of business operations, publicly lobbied for months for the return of Jackson, her longtime boyfriend.

She finally got her wish.

Bryant's reaction to a return by Jackson has seemed lukewarm at best. Shortly after Tomjanovich's resignation, Bryant said he would "roll with it" if Jackson returned.

Two days after the season ended, Bryant said he didn't care who was hired as coach, adding he trusted the track record of Jerry Buss and general manager Mitch Kupchak.

"Whoever they bring in here, I'm going to be ready," Bryant said. "I'm just open to whoever they feel like is going to get the job done."

Buss said in early May he believed Jackson and Bryant could coexist.

"Oh, definitely. No question," Buss said. "These people want to win."

[bronco militia]

considering how strong the west is and no shaq, the lakers are going to need a huge trade or two to before they make some noise again.

[TheNextStep]

Great. Think we can get Shaq back, too?

[anthonypacino]

Well if you have a girlfriend that looks like his does and she cuts you off when you won't work for daddy anymore I would suck up and go back to work too, not a lot of hot chicks going for that grateful dead thing anymore, you got to get in where you fit in

[illbroncsfn]

Well if you have a girlfriend that looks like his does and she cuts you off when you won't work for daddy anymore I would suck up and go back to work too, not a lot of hot chicks going for that grateful dead thing anymore, you got to get in where you fit in

:coach: I think you're right- the true voice behind the Lakers Jeannie Buss spoke up!

[Beantown Bronco]

Red was better....

[TheNextStep]

Red was better....
Phil has had 1 or 2 hall of famers on his teams... Red had 4 or 5. Phil's done as much with less, in an age of relative parity. Bitter old Red can keep on being bitter...

[Beantown Bronco]

Phil has had 1 or 2 hall of famers on his teams... Red had 4 or 5. Phil's done as much with less, in an age of relative parity. Bitter old Red can keep on being bitter...

Shaq alone takes away any credit for the Laker Championships. Without him, the Lakers would've been a .500 team at best those years. Coaching had nothing to do with it. It's not a coincidence that he makes everyone around him look so much better than they really are...he did it in Orlando, LA, and now Miami.

It's easier to win with one dominant player now than it was back in Red's day. The league wasn't so watered down then that one player would make that big a difference.

[NaptownChief]

Well I am glad to see this...Now he won't have the most dominate player in the game on his squad for the first time since Jordan briefly retired....This will allow us to get a good look as to what type a coach he truly is. If he stinks then most of us will say "just what I thought" and if he turns them around and into title contenders then we can give him credit for being one of the greatest coaches of all time...Either way we should have a good indication and that is all I want.

[Kaylore]

http://espn-att.starwave.com/media/nba/2003/0725/photo/r_jbuss_tpi.jpg

She's a cutie, no doubt. Smart, attractive, great smile, rich...I'd come back too.

[Nuggets4]

Slap's not gonna be happy.

[TheManeMan]

Aw man...I guess this means no sports talk radio for the next few weeks for me...

[SoCalBronco]

He will help them no doubt but i still think that even with Phil, they would not be among the West's Top 4 without a serious infusion of talent.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Slap's not gonna be happy.

Let the Laker fans suffer! ;) After the recent stretch of winning, it's time to get a taste of reality.

On another note, it will be interesting to watch how Phil handles a .500 squad. Unless he lights a fire under Odom, gets a PG, teaches Bryant how to lead a team, finds a legit 5, and gets some consistent contributions from their nearly nonexistent bench, they will see another season of mediocrity.

I could see them sneaking into the bottom half of playoff teams, but the west is tough and getting tougher. Expect these teams to be in the mix next season: Spurs, Mavs, Suns, Rockets, Seattle (if Ray and James come back), Houston, Denver, Kings, Minnesota, Memphis, Lakers, and Golden State. A .500 team might not make it in next season.

[Beantown Bronco]

Well I am glad to see this...Now he won't have the most dominate player in the game on his squad for the first time since Jordan briefly retired....This will allow us to get a good look as to what type a coach he truly is. If he stinks then most of us will say "just what I thought" and if he turns them around and into title contenders then we can give him credit for being one of the greatest coaches of all time...Either way we should have a good indication and that is all I want.

I can agree with that.

[dbfan4life]

I don't think that Lakers are that far off talent wise. Kobe is an All-Star and one of the best in the league. Odom was decent in Miami but never really adjusted to playing with Kobe. If I were Phil, the first thing I would do is have Odom watch hours and hours of Scottie Pippen film because that IS his role on this team. They have a decent PG in Chucky. What they need is someone who can spot up and knock down a jumper or a 3 when they get the kick out, Caron Butler, Luke Walton, and Devean George need to step big time in that role, and a decent center. The triangle offense doesn't need a dominant center. The Bulls never had one and that offense worked pretty damn good. This Lakers team should get back to their winning ways next year.

[yavoon]

Red was better....


in red's dreams.

[yavoon]

Shaq alone takes away any credit for the Laker Championships. Without him, the Lakers would've been a .500 team at best those years. Coaching had nothing to do with it. It's not a coincidence that he makes everyone around him look so much better than they really are...he did it in Orlando, LA, and now Miami.

It's easier to win with one dominant player now than it was back in Red's day. The league wasn't so watered down then that one player would make that big a difference.

hey how many championships does shaq have w/o phil again? I was curious so I looked it up. oh yah, zero.

[epicSocialism4tw]

I don't think that Lakers are that far off talent wise. Kobe is an All-Star and one of the best in the league. Odom was decent in Miami but never really adjusted to playing with Kobe. If I were Phil, the first thing I would do is have Odom watch hours and hours of Scottie Pippen film because that IS his role on this team. They have a decent PG in Chucky. What they need is someone who can spot up and knock down a jumper or a 3 when they get the kick out, Caron Butler, Luke Walton, and Devean George need to step big time in that role, and a decent center. The triangle offense doesn't need a dominant center. The Bulls never had one and that offense worked pretty damn good. This Lakers team should get back to their winning ways next year.

That's an overly optimistic analysis and one that disregards the fact that Chicago had the best player in NBA history to run the offense. Bryant has a long, long, long, long, long way to go to even be in that conversation. How did he do last season in his first attempt at Bryant-first-ball? They were losers. Bryant is a good player, but he cannot be Michael. He needs at least another top 10 NBA player with him for that team to do anything. The Lakers should try and make a run at Garnett.

[yavoon]

Let the Laker fans suffer! ;) After the recent stretch of winning, it's time to get a taste of reality.

On another note, it will be interesting to watch how Phil handles a .500 squad. Unless he lights a fire under Odom, gets a PG, teaches Bryant how to lead a team, finds a legit 5, and gets some consistent contributions from their nearly nonexistent bench, they will see another season of mediocrity.

I could see them sneaking into the bottom half of playoff teams, but the west is tough and getting tougher. Expect these teams to be in the mix next season: Spurs, Mavs, Suns, Rockets, Seattle (if Ray and James come back), Houston, Denver, Kings, Minnesota, Memphis, Lakers, and Golden State. A .500 team might not make it in next season.


phil doesn't need a point guard, he needs someone to defend the other teams point guard. but the triangle is very unreliant on any real kind of point guard.

[Beantown Bronco]

hey how many championships does shaq have w/o phil again? I was curious so I looked it up. oh yah, zero.

Look at Shaq's influence on the teams he's been with and then we'll talk. Where was Miami pre-Shaq? Where did Orlando go once they lost him?

He is far and away the best player in the game, as was MJ...and Phil coached them both in their prime. Let's see how he fares this season without the best player in the league.

[yavoon]

Look at Shaq's influence on the teams he's been with and then we'll talk. Where was Miami pre-Shaq? Where did Orlando go once they lost him?

He is far and away the best player in the game, as was MJ...and Phil coached them both in their prime. Let's see how he fares this season without the best player in the league.

yah phil has had great players, shaq, kobe, pippen, jordan. but he's converted those great players into championships. not everyone does that, and no1 does that as well or as often as phil.

its one thing to go from 20 wins to 53 wins, its another thing to win 3 straight titles. many jokers end up "turning a team around." for any # of reasons, phil is one of the few coaches ever who when given an advantage converted it nearly everytime.

[delany]

That's an overly optimistic analysis and one that disregards the fact that Chicago had the best player in NBA history to run the offense. Bryant has a long, long, long, long, long way to go to even be in that conversation. How did he do last season in his first attempt at Bryant-first-ball? They were losers. Bryant is a good player, but he cannot be Michael. He needs at least another top 10 NBA player with him for that team to do anything. The Lakers should try and make a run at Garnett.

Actually I thought dbfan4life was pretty accurate.

IMO...Looking at just the numbers and not the attitude off the court...Kobe is NOT a 'long, long, long, long, long way' from Mike.

Additionally, as dbfan4life indicated, the Lakers need Lamar to assume that 'Scottie' role.

Prior to Scottie, Jordan didn't win anything noteworthy. Best player in history or not, Jordan needed his 'supporting cast' as much as Kobe.

Lakers are pretty screwed cap-wise....so I can't see them making a big push for another headliner. Lamar is the one player on the team who can play a lot better than he did last year. He has the talent to be Pippen. Phil just needs to zen him.

[dbfan4life]

That's an overly optimistic analysis and one that disregards the fact that Chicago had the best player in NBA history to run the offense. Bryant has a long, long, long, long, long way to go to even be in that conversation. How did he do last season in his first attempt at Bryant-first-ball? They were losers. Bryant is a good player, but he cannot be Michael. He needs at least another top 10 NBA player with him for that team to do anything. The Lakers should try and make a run at Garnett.

That's an overly pessimistic analysis. Is Kobe MJ? No. Will anyone ever be as good as MJ? No, probably not. But Kobe is better that just "good". This may be a whole other debate entirely but I say he's is one of the best in the league and there are fewer players I would take in his place. If Kobe can put his ego away and play the Triangle the way it is supposed to, then he can be very, very good and the Lakers can succeed. KG would be nice but I don't see a way the Lakers can afford his services.

[Northman]

Look at Shaq's influence on the teams he's been with and then we'll talk. Where was Miami pre-Shaq? Where did Orlando go once they lost him?

He is far and away the best player in the game, as was MJ...and Phil coached them both in their prime. Let's see how he fares this season without the best player in the league.


OMG no you didnt. you didnt just put Snak and MJ in the same sentence did you? lmao! no way in hell Snak could ever take over a game like MJ could and Miami's success has a lot more to do with Wade than it does with Snak.

[TheNextStep]

That's an overly optimistic analysis and one that disregards the fact that Chicago had the best player in NBA history to run the offense. Bryant has a long, long, long, long, long way to go to even be in that conversation. How did he do last season in his first attempt at Bryant-first-ball? They were losers. Bryant is a good player, but he cannot be Michael. He needs at least another top 10 NBA player with him for that team to do anything. The Lakers should try and make a run at Garnett.

How did Jordan do before Phil Jackson came to town? Oh, that's right... the Bulls were losers, too.

FACT: Phil Jackson has had some incredible talent on his teams.

FACT: And none of them won sh*t before Phil Jackson became their coach.

That says something about Phil Jackson's abilities, no matter how people want to downgrade his 9 rings.

[yavoon]

as far as I know phil jackson has these accolades:

highest winning % regular season
highest winning % playoffs
most playoff wins
most consecutive playoff series won
tied for most nba championship rings as coach
only person to win multiple titles w/ two different teams
3 3peats

and like tns mentioned, # of rings won by phil's main players w/o phil, zero.

and honestly if jordan didnt develop a momentary meglomaniac complex extending into baseball bulls could very well have 8 and phil would be at 11.

[-Slap-]

Slap's not gonna be happy.

Can't say I'm surprised. What a shocker that Phil, ever the egomaniac, times his announcement for game three of the NBA Finals. Way to hog the spotlight, Phil. Some things never change.

This pretty much guarantees that Jerry West won't be coming back, probably ever, which makes me sick to my stomach. I haven't really been much of a Laker fan since they forced him out and I'm practically to the point where I regard them as I would any other team.

[SoCalBronco]

Can't say I'm surprised. What a shocker that Phil, ever the egomaniac, times his announcement for game three of the NBA Finals. Way to hog the spotlight, Phil. Some things never change.

This pretty much guarantees that Jerry West won't be coming back, probably ever, which makes me sick to my stomach. I haven't really been much of a Laker fan since they forced him out and I'm practically to the point where I regard them as I would any other team.

You never know Slappy, Jackson is about 60 years old, if it doesnt get better quickly and/or if problems with Kobe come up again he might bolt quickly after a year or two, esp. with his past health issues, so they still could bring West back, who knows.

[-Slap-]

You never know Slappy, Jackson is about 60 years old, if it doesnt get better quickly and/or if problems with Kobe come up again he might bolt quickly after a year or two, esp. with his past health issues, so they still could bring West back, who knows.

Actually, I hope Phil tanks and Buss does ask Jerry West to come back. Then I hope West tells the old satyr to go fornicate himself.

[Kaylore]

Actually, I hope Phil tanks and Buss does ask Jerry West to come back. Then I hope West tells the old satyr to go fornicate himself.
Me too, but for different reasons, I'm sure.

[Beantown Bronco]

OMG no you didnt. you didnt just put Snak and MJ in the same sentence did you? lmao! no way in hell Snak could ever take over a game like MJ could and Miami's success has a lot more to do with Wade than it does with Snak.

Was MJ not the best player of his time? Is Shaq not the best player of his time? That was all I'm saying. I'm not comparing their individual games.

[Garcia Bronco]

Red was better....

I don't know about that..

[-Slap-]

Was MJ not the best player of his time? Is Shaq not the best player of his time? That was all I'm saying. I'm not comparing their individual games.
Is Shaq better than Tim Duncan? In a few days they'll be tied with three Rings each and Duncan is much more likely to add a couple more before he's through.

[epicSocialism4tw]

How did Jordan do before Phil Jackson came to town? Oh, that's right... the Bulls were losers, too.

FACT: Phil Jackson has had some incredible talent on his teams.

FACT: And none of them won sh*t before Phil Jackson became their coach.

That says something about Phil Jackson's abilities, no matter how people want to downgrade his 9 rings.


The Bulls did not win immediately when Jordan was drafted. Though they did not have an instant championship, Jordan still made himself known as the best player in basketball pretty quickly. When did he have that spectacle of a game against the mighty Celts? I think that it was his third season. He was already putting up some rediculous stats and leading a mediocre team into the playoffs regularly.

Phil is a quality coach, no doubt, but you Laker fans are way too eager to throw your backpack onto the bandwagon. Last season it was "Bryant is definately the MVP next season" or "the Lakers won't finish less than 4th in the west" or "Lamar Odom is the next _____." You guys make me laugh with that stuff.

The Lakers are now an also-ran to the also-rans of the NBA and are in an extremely tough and improving western conference. How are they going to improve to reach the level of Denver? Or Houston? Or even Sacramento? How are they going to compete with the Suns for that division? I just don't see it. They have a shot at the playoffs, but they will have to improve significantly to even make the 7 or 8 spot.

[TheNextStep]

The Bulls did not win immediately when Jordan was drafted. Though they did not have an instant championship, Jordan still made himself known as the best player in basketball pretty quickly. When did he have that spectacle of a game against the mighty Celts? I think that it was his third season. He was already putting up some rediculous stats and leading a mediocre team into the playoffs regularly.

And he was losing. Guess what? Kobe put up some pretty good stats, too.

Phil is a quality coach, no doubt, but you Laker fans are way too eager to throw your backpack onto the bandwagon. Last season it was "Bryant is definately the MVP next season" or "the Lakers won't finish less than 4th in the west" or "Lamar Odom is the next _____." You guys make me laugh with that stuff.

No, you never heard me say that. I've said from the beginning that the Lakers traded the wrong guy. I also believe that Shaq is the MVP every single year that he's been in the league, simply because of the impact he has on any team. When you have Shaq, you're a legitimate contender, period. I actually predicted a bad season for the Lakers last season. Lastly, Lamar Odom was a hell of a player for Los Angeles... of course, that was back when he was with the Clippers. I think the guy can do better than he did... but I don't believe for a minute that he'll ever be a go-to guy.

The Lakers are now an also-ran to the also-rans of the NBA and are in an extremely tough and improving western conference. How are they going to improve to reach the level of Denver? Or Houston? Or even Sacramento? How are they going to compete with the Suns for that division? I just don't see it. They have a shot at the playoffs, but they will have to improve significantly to even make the 7 or 8 spot.

How are they going to improve? F***ed if I know. That wasn't my argument. My argument was that none of those stars won a damned thing without Phil Jackson and that Phil has won 9 rings... so people that criticize him really don't have a leg to stand on.

[Beantown Bronco]

How are they going to improve? ****ed if I know. That wasn't my argument. My argument was that none of those stars won a damned thing without Phil Jackson and that Phil has won 9 rings... so people that criticize him really don't have a leg to stand on.

Huh? Nobody is above criticism. I don't care if you are a coach for 10 years and you win 10 championships. You can be criticized if you don't sweep every series, etc.

I'm not necessarily being critical of Phil as a coach. I am being critical of those who refuse to hear any argument that he's not the best coach ever. My take is there are probably a handful of coaches who could've won championships with the teams Phil has had to coach. This year, on the other hand, will be telling. If he can do it with this current team, then I'll pay attention to the hype.

[epicSocialism4tw]

And he was losing. Guess what? Kobe put up some pretty good stats, too.



No, you never heard me say that. I've said from the beginning that the Lakers traded the wrong guy. I also believe that Shaq is the MVP every single year that he's been in the league, simply because of the impact he has on any team. When you have Shaq, you're a legitimate contender, period. I actually predicted a bad season for the Lakers last season. Lastly, Lamar Odom was a hell of a player for Los Angeles... of course, that was back when he was with the Clippers. I think the guy can do better than he did... but I don't believe for a minute that he'll ever be a go-to guy.



How are they going to improve? ****ed if I know. That wasn't my argument. My argument was that none of those stars won a damned thing without Phil Jackson and that Phil has won 9 rings... so people that criticize him really don't have a leg to stand on.


You just overstated Jackson's contribution to the Bulls. They had been to the playoffs and competed with the Pistons and the rest of the east's quality teams, but could not get over the hump and get on even par with those teams. Jackson's impact was not immediate there, but as Jordan entered his prime, so did Jackson. The next thing you know, the Bulls are one of the best squads ever. I am not lessening Jackson's impact. I think that he is great. I am saying that Bryant (albeit a top 10 modern player) is not anywhere close to Jordan, and there is no Pippen or Rodman or Horace Grant on that team. Jackson knows what he has there and he doesnt have much.

[TheNextStep]

Huh? Nobody is above criticism. I don't care if you are a coach for 10 years and you win 10 championships. You can be criticized if you don't sweep every series, etc.

I'm not necessarily being critical of Phil as a coach. I am being critical of those who refuse to hear any argument that he's not the best coach ever. My take is there are probably a handful of coaches who could've won championships with the teams Phil has had to coach. This year, on the other hand, will be telling. If he can do it with this current team, then I'll pay attention to the hype.

Everyone except for Red, right? I mean, you don't think a handful of coaches could have won with a roster that included Bob Cousy, Bill Russell, Sam Jones, and K.C. Jones? All 4 were enshrined in the NBA Hall of Fame. And when Cousy retired, in came John Havlichek... who would go on to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

And you might argue "Red had to do it before the league was watered down" and I might argue "yeah, but his players weren't millionaires, nor did he have to deal with free agency."

If you want to criticize somebody who has won 9 rings, go ahead. Yes, it can be done. But can it be done with any degree of credibility?

No, not really. The guy's one of the greatest (if not the greatest) coaches of all time. To me, that's absolutely inarguable.