Phil is back!

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Lakers spokesman John Black said Tuesday the team has re-hired Jackson, who was let go by owner Jerry Buss last June 18.

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.

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<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TheTruth5:</div><div class="quote_post">good news for laker fans, but you still need a point guard.</div>

Indeed, point guard is one of many things the Lakers need. Hopefully Phil Jackson is not their biggest off-season move and the Lakers can finally start revamping the roster.

With Phil Jackson back it likely means Lamar Odom will be back and Caron Butler will be traded. There have been plenty of trade rumors already, and with Phil officially back I expect a lot more to start circulating.

On a side note, nice job by ABC to boost their ratings since the Finals is apparently not pulling in the numbers. In Game 1 they teased the viewers by having Phil Jackson speak before the game. Now they will feature the official press conference right before the game. Laker fans will surely tune in to watch, and maybe stick around for the game.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting B-22:</div><div class="quote_post">I dont understand this, that means they could have possibly just kept Shaq and kept playing, all they had to do was resign Jackson in the first place.</div>

Well there was pressure from season ticket holders encouraging Dr. Buss to bring Phil back. Then you have to factor in his daughter, Jeannie Buss pushing for Phil, not to mention the horrendous season the team just went through.

Shaq wanting his extension is what prompted the Lakers to trade him. Whatever the reasons were it's history and both sides just need to move on.

One thing I like about the move is it brings some star power back to the team. With Phil Jackson back he will take control of his players from day one and he should be able to recruit some players on to the team. Phil Jackson has a lot of motivation to return to coaching. He finally gets a chance to build a contender instead of inheriting one.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Purple Fever:</div><div class="quote_post">Put Kobe at the point!</div>
Actually I'm curious to see if Phil experiments with Odom at the point next season. Hopefully Phil can teach Odom how to play better defense and to take advantage of his physical tools.