<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">EL SEGUNDO-- The Lakers' future is cluttered with expiring contracts and dueling loyalties, but this much is clear: Karl Malone wants to play for Phil Jackson and will pin his own fate to the coach's when the club sorts through this mess in a few months. "I want him here. I want him here," said Malone, joining Shaquille O'Neal as vocal players to speak in support of re-signing Jackson. Team officials ceased negotiations on a contract extension for Jackson last week. The sides remain millions of dollars apart, and no further talks are expected until after the season, meaning Jackson will be a free agent. Malone's contract also allows him to leave this summer, but he holds an option for next season. Asked if Jackson's status affects his decision, Malone said, "Yeah, it do. Oh, yeah." "I think coach is going to do what's best for him," he said. "You know what, I respect that. I did the same thing when I left Utah. I did what was best for me, and I think everybody goes through that stage in their life."</div> More here.
We better keep Phil happy then, and give him his extension in the off-season. We can't afford to lose Karl, especially if Kobe leaves. If Kobe is to leave, I believe a healthy Payton-Malone-Shaq could still make a run for the championship, and with Kobe, realisticly we could win it again as we will this year. :mrgreen:
i think the lakers will try to move on and get a new voice, just like the nets did with Byron... phil is sure a good coach but he can't seem to be able to lead and motivate the lakers this season and the management knows that... so they need a new voice and will let him go... this means, kobe will leave, malone maybe will leave... the lakers may need someone like Jim OBrien or Rudy Tomjanovich...
