Last week, Phil Jackson said he was leaning towards retirement. Jackson has stated his health will likely play a big role in whether he returns, and he was set to get some tests run shortly after the season. According to a source speaking to Ken Berger of CBS Sports, Jackson's health checked out OK in a physical, though he hasn't been given the full go ahead yet. The source indicated he believed Jackson would be back. "Jackson has yet to receive the full green light from doctors to coach again next season, but a person with strong ties to him said Monday early indications are that Jackson's postseason physical went fine," Berger wrote. "If that's the case, health won't be the reason Jackson, 64, retires if that's what he decides to do. The gut feeling with the source, who is familiar with Jackson's thinking, remains that the 11-time champion will be back on the Lakers' bench next season." If Jackson is indeed back, that could shut out Byron Scott in the coaching ranks for the 2010-2011 season. Though the Cavs have yet to officially bring Brian Shaw on board, indications are he'll likely become their next coach. Scott was in the running for the Cavs job. If Jackson ends up coming back, that would also take another potential job away from Scott. Source: CBS Sports
Good news. I hope Phil's health is ok, regardless if he is coming back or not. But I really want him going for one more title.
If Jerry Buss really wants Phil Jackson back to coach the Los Angeles Lakers, now would be the time for the team owner to speak up. Don’t hold your breath. Although Buss could have lauded Jackson any time over the past two years as the Lakers won back-to-back NBA titles, the owner’s silence on the matter has been deafening. I’ve been pointing this out for months, by the way. And Mark Heisler of the L.A. Times, who just this week has offered a ringing endorsement of Byron Scott as a Jackson replacement, has repeatedly taken me to task for it. But the truth that insiders have been telling me for months is clear. If Jackson’s going to return as coach, he’s going to have to do it to despite the stony silence of the owner. And he’ll likely have to take a pay cut despite his success. If Buss doesn’t want to pay Jackson the unheard of price of $12 million per season to coach the team, then he should never have agreed to such a deal when he gave Jackson a pay raise two years ago. You wanted and needed a championship so badly back then that you agreed to boost his money, Dr. Buss? And now you don’t need a title very badly? That’s what you’re saying with this silence. To complain about money now that Jackson has delivered two championship teams is unheard of. Win titles and take a pay cut? That’s a low blow, Dr. Jerry. And it’s not just me saying that. It’s your remarkable team captain, Derek Fisher, who discussed the issue in an interview with Ramona Shelbourne. “As much as it is about his quality of life and how he’s feeling, his energy levels,” Fisher said, “I think his decision could be easier if he wasn’t maybe feeling as though he’s not being fully appreciated, which is how it ultimately makes you feel. “It’s sad to me,” Fisher told Shelbourne recently, “when you think about what he’s accomplished in his career, that he still always has to deal with these type of scenarios where there’s a question of whether or not he’s the best person for the job, or he’s not really coaching because of the players that he’s had. He’s just a remarkable human being in terms of his approach to managing and coaching the team. “I think not even just the Lakers, but the NBA as a whole, would lose a big part of what this game has been about the last 20 years if he’s not back. If he’s not back, it changes the whole landscape.” Fisher, of course, is a free agent guard and will turn 36 in August. Has there ever been a braver, more forthright NBA player? The guy not only laid his heart on the line for the franchise’s 17th title (yes, Lakers won one in 1948 in the old National League), but Fisher is speaking up right now, even though it could cost him dearly. Teammates Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol have also spoken up, although their contracts are secure and in place. They’ve made it clear where they stand. Some Lakers fans may let you off the hook for this one, Jerry. It’s obvious you’re gambling that your season ticket holders won’t protest if you let Jackson and Fisher slip away. I’m not asking you to pay Jackson. I’m just calling for you to speak up and declare publicly how important he has been to the franchise. I know that you don’t like that Phil’s an odd, distant kind of guy. I know you don’t like the triangle offense he runs. I know you don’t like paying him so much money. I know you’re eager to prove that you can win one without Phil. I know you’re not elated that he shacks up with your daughter and sometimes offers his disrespect in all those subtle little ways. I know you like showing that it’s you, not Jackson, who is in control of the franchise. I know you think your reputation and image are secure with all those championships you have in your pocket. I know you’re a proud, stubborn man, but does this have to come down to ego and pride? Yes, it’s a poker game. Lakers assistant Brian Shaw, one of two top candidates to replace Phil, is “close to accepting” the Cleveland Cavaliers job, according to his agent. What’s the last time an agent made such an announcement? And Byron Scott declared that he’s not waiting around on anyone, another obvious bluff. Are Phil, Scott and Shaw all trying to out-bluff Jerry Buss? Does it all come down to yet more tiresome games? Is that what you want as your legacy? You have a chance to eclipse the Boston Celtics as the team with the most NBA titles, and you’re going to let ego and pride get in the way? Say it ain’t so. Speak up and ask Phil to return. Show us you’re bigger than these silly games. Source: Lakers Noise
That's not really silly games. There is probably a few million dollars involved in all this talks and you better believe Buss and Phil will bargain a bit more.
Peter Vecsey of the New York Post has some more details on Jackson's health status. "Jackson needs a knee replacement but otherwise is in good condition," Vecsey wrote. "I'm told he's in Montana helping plan his son's wedding. A couple more days and he should be sufficiently bored and be ready to commence negotiating another Lakers' coaching contract." If Jackson is indeed back, he won't have to replace his assistant coach Brian Shaw. Shaw was in the mix for the Cavs job, but it ended up going to Byron Scott.
