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Lakers re-hire Phil Jackson as coach
Topic Started: Jun 14 2005, 02:36 PM (495 Views)
NYCMagicFan
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http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-l...ov=ap&type=lgns

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LOS ANGELES (AP) -- 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 agreed to a three-year contract. Terms were not announced, but it's believed he'll be earning around $10 million per year.

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.''

Jackson spoke to several other teams, including the New York Knicks, but made it clear he would make a decision on the Lakers' job before giving serious consideration to anyone else.

``He was a long shot for us anyway,'' said a source in the Knicks' front office who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Herb Williams remains New York's coach for now, although the team has also spoken to Flip Saunders, P.J. Carlesimo, Bill Laimbeer and others. There remains a possibility that New York could pursue Detroit coach Larry Brown, who is widely expected to leave the Pistons following the conclusion of the NBA Finals.

Brown has said he wants to address a health issue after the playoffs before deciding his next move. He has already spoken with the Cleveland Cavaliers about taking a job as team president.

Jackson's decision to rejoin the Lakers should speed up the process of filling other job openings. There are coaching vacancies in Minnesota and Portland, and Seattle coach Nate McMillan's contract expires at the end of this month. Sacramento reportedly approached Jackson about taking over the Kings.

O'Neal and Dwyane Wade led Miami to the Eastern Conference finals, where they lost to Detroit in seven games.

O'Neal is scheduled to earn $30.6 million next season, but can opt out this summer and become a free agent. He has said he wants to stay in Miami and has talked with the Heat about a contract extension.
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MAGICMANEVAN
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Quote:
 
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.
this is a huge blow for the lakers. they cant go out and get players like they should have been able to. they were not careful with the cap and how they used their money. i think they went to fast and tried to fix things right away. they should have been a little more patient and waited things out. they definitely need alot more help, just to be a decent team in the west.
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JAnthony019
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MAGICMANEVAN
Jun 14 2005 11:45 AM
Quote:
 
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.
this is a huge blow for the lakers. they cant go out and get players like they should have been able to. they were not careful with the cap and how they used their money. i think they went to fast and tried to fix things right away. they should have been a little more patient and waited things out. they definitely need alot more help, just to be a decent team in the west.

This is great for the Lakers!

6 contracts will end this year, opening up a lot of room in the salary. This upcoming year wont give us the ring, but the next one should bring us back into contention.
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MagicMadness
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Well, I wonder how the situation between Kobe and Phil will be resolved?
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Drex22
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JAnthony019
Jun 14 2005 08:14 PM
MAGICMANEVAN
Jun 14 2005 11:45 AM
Quote:
 
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.
this is a huge blow for the lakers. they cant go out and get players like they should have been able to. they were not careful with the cap and how they used their money. i think they went to fast and tried to fix things right away. they should have been a little more patient and waited things out. they definitely need alot more help, just to be a decent team in the west.

This is great for the Lakers!

6 contracts will end this year, opening up a lot of room in the salary. This upcoming year wont give us the ring, but the next one should bring us back into contention.

Do lots of Lakers fans really think that the Lakers will go after YAO?? There is lots of talk here that the Lakers want YAO.. I dont understand it, we will lock him up this summer for a long term contract after the NBA gets a new CBA in place..

Back on topic.. I think it's a good move for the Lakers, they now have the best coach in the NBA and he has a chance to shake that "He only wins with the best players" thing.. The contract seems kinda high for a guy that will more than likely quit before the contract ends IMO..
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gomagic33
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The Lakers will start with loses and Kobe and Jackson will start pointing fingers...Jackson quits, and Kobe wins the 2nd round. Phil Jackson never learns... :no:
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JAnthony019
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Sixth Man
IMO, the Lakers problems were mainly between Shaq and Kb8. Jackson's problem occured becuz he had to side with shaq due to the fact that the offense MUST run through him. NOw that Shaq is gone, the problems should go away. Both Kobe and jackson had some time to heal...and Kobe's losing season should have humbled him.
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TheGreatOne
NBA Analyst
If Lakers don't make the playoffs, those who are elated that PJ is coming back will being wanting his head on a platter. It will also be interesting to see how the team does with an organized preseason, instead of the helter-skelter mishmash they had last year, then a second half of trying to learn the Triangle in the middle of the road trips from hell.
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gomagic33
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Quote:
 
"The most important figure in convincing him to return, Jackson said, was Jeanie Buss, who is his girlfriend as well as the owner's daughter in the front office. Jeanie told him he was too young to retire. Though he had discussions with several teams, including the New York Knicks, for whom he played for 11 seasons, Jackson decided in the past week and a half that he would either return to the Lakers or not coach at all." Riverside Press-Enterprise


So that's why Old Chief Triangle decided to return. :r
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Drex22
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gomagic33
Jun 16 2005 01:01 AM
Quote:
 
"The most important figure in convincing him to return, Jackson said, was Jeanie Buss, who is his girlfriend as well as the owner's daughter in the front office. Jeanie told him he was too young to retire. Though he had discussions with several teams, including the New York Knicks, for whom he played for 11 seasons, Jackson decided in the past week and a half that he would either return to the Lakers or not coach at all." Riverside Press-Enterprise


So that's why Old Chief Triangle decided to return. :r

Posted Image

Not bad for a guy his age..
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gomagic33
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Mr. Anderson
Not bad at all.

That Zen thing must really work. :cool:
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efenell
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Drex22
Jun 16 2005 07:09 AM

Not bad for a guy his age..

Damn!!!! She is hot!!!!

As for the Lakers, they WILL completely suck again next year. They got rid of the wrong player.
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Drex22
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Here's another that is good..

Posted Image
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gomagic33
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Mr. Anderson
Now I can't blame Phil Jackson for coming back to the Lakers - Kobe-soap-opera and all :r
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JAnthony019
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Sixth Man
efenell
Jun 16 2005 08:21 AM
Drex22
Jun 16 2005 07:09 AM

Not bad for a guy his age..

Damn!!!! She is hot!!!!

As for the Lakers, they WILL completely suck again next year. They got rid of the wrong player.

they will suck compared to the MAGIC? ;)
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