Phil Speaks on Kobe, chances of coaching etc.

CREDIT > LA TIMES & LeftyMo @ CL

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Phil Jackson might not be talking to NBA teams about their coaching vacancies until the end of the season, but the former Lakers coach did have something to say regarding his relationship with Kobe Bryant.

Jackson offered his first public comments Friday since returning from his six-week vacation to Australia and New Zealand and said he was "50-50" on returning to coaching next season.

Jackson also painted a different portrait of his relationship with Bryant than readers of his best-selling diary of the 2003-04 season might have gathered.

"Kobe and I ended on a very positive note last year after going through a pretty difficult struggle for about three months," Jackson told ESPN. "We were able to iron out a lot of differences that we had.

"I would say that our relationship after the All-Star break improved 75 percent. I have not talked to Kobe this year, but I would imagine that the relationship would be the same."

Told Jackson seemed to be reaching out to him after Saturday's victory over the Charlotte Bobcats, Bryant said: "My reaction is the same reaction as before. If he wants to come at me after the season, we'll talk."

Jackson's remarks came two days after his representatives put out a press release saying Jackson would not be talking to teams about potential job until this summer. They said Jackson also would not be speaking to reporters, but those plans apparently changed.

The Bryant-Jackson relationship is viewed as the key component to whether Jackson could return as Lakers coach. Lakers owner Jerry Buss said last week he believed "the air has been cleared" and Jackson and Bryant could co-exist in the future.

In his diary, Jackson wrote of a "psychological war" with Bryant and detailed storming into general manager Mitch Kupchak's office last season and demanding Bryant be traded. Jackson's agent Todd Musburger could not be reached for comment Saturday.

The last conversation between Bryant and Jackson took place during an exit meeting after the season. Jackson went on to write of his departure as a "coup," though he did not specify whether Bryant orchestrated it.

On his potential return, Jackson said: "Well, I would say it's about 50-50, either/or. The reality of it is that I have not gotten any indication about coaching internally, so until that happens there is really no use talking about it."

Men in the middle: Lakers forward Caron Butler and Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade became close friends last season. They still talk all the time, and Butler said Saturday the subject of Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal is a frequent topic of conversation.

"He always says, 'Man, Big Fella's funny,' and all this," Butler said. "I just tell him all the amazing things Kobe does on the court and what we do off the court. We got out and eat together -- it's so completely opposite of what you hear.

"He's a good dude. I hear a lot of good things about Shaq also."

With the Lakers and the Heat set to play for the second time this season Thursday night, Butler was asked if it was surprising two "good dudes" -- Bryant and O'Neal -- couldn't find common ground in Los Angeles.

"It is what it is," Butler said.

 

I think what the lakers need the most is to get rid of stupid players like tierre brown, a 10 million worth brian grant and 5 million worth vlade divac then get some quality "ROLE" players to help kobe, maybe even trade caron for a pg or C and shift Lamar to SF. But for Phil to come back , that would definitely be a boost for the team, i duno how it would turn out for kobe and phil though....

 

Yea, supposedly LA will have 16 mil to go after FA's this season so we will see.

 

Good stuff. Thanks for the clip

 

Well only time will tell if Phil comes back. According to the commentators on (was it TNT??), Kobe is much more comfy w/ the triangle now that he's the main man (aka like Jordan was). If the Zen Master comes back and he's the center of attention of the triangle, we'll see what happens.

 

too bad no team in the nba is stupid enough to take brian grant in any trades...we could definitely use that money to get boozer or even RAY allen in the summer

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting kobemvp:</div><div class="quote_post">I think what the lakers need the most is to get rid of stupid players like tierre brown, a 10 million worth brian grant and 5 million worth vlade divac then get some quality "ROLE" players to help kobe, maybe even trade caron for a pg or C and shift Lamar to SF. But for Phil to come back , that would definitely be a boost for the team, i duno how it would turn out for kobe and phil though....</div>

You are right. I hate Tierre Brown who cannot shoot, Brian Grant hes okay and Vlade Divac sucks. They need some better role players. They had the chance to do that and they didnt. WE need to get rid of some of our players. I was mad when I heard we traded Kareem Rush who I think was becoming a good player. We traded him (a good role player) and got nothing. We have a good starting lineup but need better bench players. In my opinion I rather have Larry Brown then Phil Jackson cuz I dont know if we can win a championship Jackson. He hasnt won a championship without a star.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I was mad when I heard we traded Kareem Rush who I think was becoming a good player. We traded him (a good role player) and got nothing.</div>
that was because he did nothing.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Vlade Divac sucks.</div>
Vlade's been injured, give him a break.

 

Really...Vlade does suck...always have...always will. He didn't earn the name "King of Flop" for nothing. :king:


<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Vlade's been injured, give him a break.</div>

 

I wouldnt say Vlade "sucks" nor would i say he ever has, for a big man there hasnt been many smarter then Vlade. He's a really good passer and for a big man he can make other big men beside him and everyone else better (well he used to).

He's getting old, but he can still offer LA something...if not to teach the bigs some veteran tricks

 

I've never liked him. He isnt good enough to help anyone win a championship. But I digress. It is something I have to deal with. =)
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting DMKfromTPL:</div><div class="quote_post">I wouldnt say Vlade "sucks" nor would i say he ever has, for a big man there hasnt been many smarter then Vlade. He's a really good passer and for a big man he can make other big men beside him and everyone else better (well he used to).

He's getting old, but he can still offer LA something...if not to teach the bigs some veteran tricks </div>

 

i don?t like Brian Grant he ?s the one who realy sucks.He?s just a waste of money and i?m sure no team wants him so trading him will not be that easy!

 

I am 100% agree with u guys that Brian Grant SUCKS!!!! and not to forget CHRIS MIHM.. that fella sucks even more.. Frankly speaking, the lakers starting lineup is in a mess.. only kobe is the worthy player.. lamar odom.. probably can give a hand... but not other players.... Kareem Rush is a good player in future.. is not that he did nothing.. What is he lacking.. is the chance to perform and to show the others that he is a kind of player who can contribute too...

 

Kareem Rush is not even with the Lakers any more.

 

Chris Mihm is so crap. He is SO weak for a person of his height. Brian Cook is quite bad. I think Tierre Brown is under-rated. He does get points when given a chance. Just look at the game against Indiana the other night. Caron Butler isn't playing well either. I would like to see Jumaine Jones in the side and Deavan George when he is healthy again. Chucky Atkins is playing well.

 

Brian Grant sucks? lmao.... brian grant is not even close to being the worst laker right now. He plays with HEART, his body just isint willing every game but he can knock down a jumper and he defends better then any other laker Big.

Tierre brown....excellent at taking people off the dribble, but horrible at finishing or dishing the ball. Not worth the trouble.

Brian Cook....Much improved from his rookie year and a very good 4 pt shooter for his size. KEEPER.

Jumanji - Keeper.

Walton - Keeper.

Mihm - Backup

 

I think it will be interesting to see this line up:

C-Lamar Odom
F-Luke Walton
G-Kobe Bryant
G-Jumaine Jones
PG-Chucky Atkins