Lakers re-hire Phil Jackson as coach
 

Lakers re-hire Phil Jackson as coach
June 14, 2005

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- 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.

She finally got her wish.

Bryant's reaction to a return by Jackson has seemed lukewarm at best. Shortly after Tomjanovich's resignation, Bryant said he would ``roll with it'' if Jackson returned.

Two days after the season ended, Bryant said he didn't care who was hired as coach, adding he trusted the track record of Jerry Buss and general manager Mitch Kupchak.

``Whoever they bring in here, I'm going to be ready,'' Bryant said. ``I'm just open to whoever they feel like is going to get the job done.''

Buss said in early May he believed Jackson and Bryant could coexist.

``Oh, definitely. No question,'' Buss said. ``These people want to win.''

Im so excited, this is awesome

oh hell yes!

finally, lakers will be back on track...:)

I heard garnet might join them soon as well

Garnet wants a Ring so badly. Will be a interesting off season after the Finals

Poor Phill wont make the playoffs..

He is gunna have a huge headache next year.

sounds good to me. hope this puts them back on track.

A step in the right direction for LA

they still ain't shit without shaq...

M4L

Mavericks 4 Life!

~Ray

In my mind, Phil Jackson hasn't proven anything in his career...he has always had the two best players in the league on his teams at the same time, with MJ and Scottie, and then Shaq and Kobe....i'd be more impressed if he took the job with the Knicks, but i guess we'll see what he can do with the lakers, who really don't have that terrible of a core....but remember what happened a couple years ago....shaq, malone, kobe, payton...and they STILL couldn't win!

Good move by the lakers

this can bring balance to Lakers with Kobe and Kevin all-star combination.
somewhat like Wade and Shaq.

:smokin

surely he would encounter some hard time reorganizing his bench
before he can come up with an awesome lineup which can out hustle
the likes of Detroit or Spurs.

:smokin

want to entertain a bet ? :winkwink:

true, Shaq has become a big name under Phil's coaching but don't
expect him to switch back his old uniform. with laker's salary cap,
I don't think LA can accomodate his season paycheck of $30 Million.
And besides, Shaq has won several championship rings and right now
what he's thinking is becoming more finacially stable now that he's
at the edge of retiring, give him 2-3 years more.

:smokin

nice! :thumbsup

KG and Kobe could be a dynasty for sure

seems like miami aint shit with shaq either

wish Phil is listening, something I would surely enjoy watching next season.

:smokin

But they did get their moneys worth, next season will be the same way....but he isnt going to get his giant contract he wants after that.

Next year hes due 30 million dollars, thats deep( He better deliver the championship on that kind of salary) All the pressure in the world is on shaq, And now he has to deal with kobe and the zen master :thumbsup

Any predictions on how far the Lakers will go?

Shaq is nearing the end of his career, he already achieved what most players
are dying to get. He was not at his form during Game 6 and 7 with the Pistons.
I expected him to come-out and carry the team as he used to do during his
LA days. Age is hunting him down now.

:smokin

Very Far, You never know what the ZEN is cooking up

if he retains his old lineup, they will not go that far. possibly 1st round playoffs match

:smokin

Keep in mind the lakers also have the 10th draft pick, this will land them a very solid prospect

I wonder if he will be able to add some new key players. I can't see them going far with what they have even w/ Phil.

Lakers are well over the salary cap, restricting their ability to bring in high-priced free-agent talent for at least two years. Not sure if KG is a free-agent and if accepts a $1 Million for a championship ring, just like Payton did, we can expect a more well-rounded lineup.

:smokin