<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'></p> <div class="bi">Jackson Feeling Better</div> <div> <span style="font-style: italic">Oct 9</span> - From all he has seen and heard the past week, Tex Winter knows Phil Jackson is feeling extremely spry -- even if Winter can't be sure Jackson will sign a contract extension to coach the Lakers beyond this season.</p> </p> "He feels a lot better," Winter said. "He's much more animated this year than he was last year. He really came into the season last year not feeling very well. He is enjoying it now. He seems back to his old self."</p> </p> Jackson, 62, is free from arthritic pain after two hip-replacement surgeries in a little more than a year. He is still carrying a cane as he recovers from the latest procedure, but he'll frequently forget all about the cane when he's on the court, actively demonstrating proper technique to his players. -- <font color="#000000">Orange County Register</font></p></div></div>
