Source Lakers spokesman John Black said Tuesday the team has re-hired Jackson, who was let go by owner Jerry Buss last June 18. Press conference set at 5PM (est) today. 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.
The Lakers are just getting a coach that has a good rep. Phil only won all those championships because he had a 2 good players, Jordan-Pippen, Shaq-Kobe. Then they had role players around them that could flat out play there roles perfect,ex: Steve Kerr-3-point shot, Harper/Fisher/Payton-run point guard to start triangle offense. Do you get my point, all the Lakers have is Kobe, that doesn't really likes Jackson. The Lakers don't have that second player that can help Kobe, Odom might be that player but he struggled last year.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting J_Ray:</div><div class="quote_post">The Lakers are just getting a coach that has a good rep. Phil only won all those championships because he had a 2 good players, Jordan-Pippen, Shaq-Kobe. Then they had role players around them that could flat out play there roles perfect,ex: Steve Kerr-3-point shot, Harper/Fisher/Payton-run point guard to start triangle offense. Do you get my point, all the Lakers have is Kobe, that doesn't really likes Jackson. The Lakers don't have that second player that can help Kobe, Odom might be that player but he struggled last year.</div> I agree, the Lakers still have plenty of other areas to address before talking about championships, let alone the playoffs. However, bringing Phil Jackson was the best move to put the Lakers back in a position to win. The Lakers are better off today with Phil Jackson back, than they were yesterday without a head coach. Now Phil Jackson and the Lakers organization needs to start adding the pieces to the puzzle so to speak to get this team back into the NBA Finals and playoffs.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting hungi1115:</div><div class="quote_post">oh yeah!!, back to the playoffs we go!!</div> Don't be ridiculous, Lakers are far from making the playoffs with their current roster.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">Don't be ridiculous, Lakers are far from making the playoffs with their current roster.</div> I think they have a lot to do before they make a return to the playoffs, but I think their current roster is a playoff caliber team. The key is if the main players can stay healthy. Last year the Lakers were a playoff team in the 1st half of the season without Divac and without George. They were good enough to contend for the 6th seed in the West last year, until their 2nd half meltdown. I don't want to make excuses for them, but I don't think 'ridiculous' is a fair take on their current roster either.
I think things will turn around this coming season. A couple of good pick-ups and the team will at least be playoff bound
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TwinTowers:</div><div class="quote_post">I guess the Lakers are really wanting a Re-Phil.</div> Dude, that has to be the korniest joke I have ever heard.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting playmaker31:</div><div class="quote_post">Dude, that has to be the korniest joke I have ever heard.</div> I think even with hiring of Phil, they won't be any different from last year. They don't have Shaq and will have another losing season next year. That is unless they ful-Phil the rumors of them getting KG.
