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Phil Jackson returns to Lakers
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-06-15 09:19
Phil and Kobe, together again. Phil Jackson is back with the Los Angeles
Lakers following a breakup that took a year to mend, and back to coaching Kobe
Bryant — a player he once called "uncoachable."
Phil Jackson talks about his return as coach
of the Los Angeles Lakers at a news conference at Staples Center in Los
Angeles Tuesday, June 14, 2005. Jackson has reconciled with the team that
cut him loose last year after three NBA championships in five seasons.
Jackson, who turns 60 in September agreed to a three-year contract. Terms
were not announced, but it's believed he'll be earning around $10 million
per year. [AP] |
"This is something I never
thought could possibly happen," Jackson said Tuesday at a Staples Center news
conference. "It's a pleasure to come back."
Jackson, who won three championships with the Lakers in five years, was let
go last June 18 by owner Jerry Buss — three days after the team lost to Detroit
in the NBA Finals.
The buzz about Jackson's possible return began almost immediately after his
replacement, Rudy Tomjanovich, left in February, despite Jackson's book
detailing the 2003-04 season in which he made disparaging remarks about the
franchise.
Bryant was at the top of that list.
"I think it's a matter of trust, a matter of rebuilding the trust that we
had," Jackson said of his relationship with Bryant. "And yes, I have talked to
Kobe; he actually called me this morning to congratulate me on the job. And I
felt confident that he's confident that we can go forward."
Bryant's reaction to a possible return by Jackson seemed lukewarm at best
during the past several months. But Bryant released a more positive statement
through his agent Tuesday.
"When the Lakers began the search for a new head coach, I put my complete
trust in Dr. Buss and (general manager) Mitch Kupchak to select the person they
thought was best for the Lakers' organization," Bryant said. "In Phil Jackson,
they chose a proven winner. That is something I support."
Jackson's latest deal is for three years. Terms were not announced, but it's
believed he'll be earning between $7 million and $10 million per year, making
him the highest-paid NBA coach ever — a fact confirmed by Kupchak.
Kupchak said other potential coaches were contacted to gauge their interest.
"Roy Williams turned us down for the third time," Kupchak said of his
attempts to talk with the North Carolina coach. "That's a Los Angeles record."
But the Lakers' only offer went to Jackson, Kupchak said, with the deal being
finalized early Tuesday.
"I can see how thrilled he is to be back," said Todd Musburger, Jackson's
agent. "It was the right decision. In the end, it came down to returning to the
Lakers or taking another year off. And here we are."
Jackson said he's been approached over the last three weeks by fans and
non-fans asking him when he was coming back.
"One of the reasons why I've returned is the support has been so tremendous
in this city," he said. "It is a town that truly supports its team and has a
tremendous amount of affection for it."
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 got her wish.
"We're very pleased to have Phil return to the Lakers as our head coach,"
Jerry Buss said in a statement. "His record speaks for itself and his success in
this sport is unparalleled. Quite simply, Phil is the best coach in the business
and probably the greatest coach of all time."
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 had a series of tests showing he was "100 percent
healthy."
Jackson's dismissal last year set in motion a makeover of massive proportions
that proved disastrous for the Lakers. Dominant big man Shaquille O'Neal
demanded a trade and superstar Bryant opted out of his contract to become a free
agent the same day Jackson's five-year run as coach ended.
The following month, O'Neal was traded to Miami while Bryant stayed with the
Lakers.
"I want to congratulate Phil on returning to coach the Lakers," O'Neal said
in a statement released through the Heat. "He is one of the premier coaches. I
wish him the very best."
O'Neal's representatives did not return repeated calls and e-mails seeking
additional comment.
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.
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, who has never posted a losing record, 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 287-123 in the regular season and 64-28 in the postseason
under Jackson. But this figures to be his biggest challenge because 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; and they were suspect at point guard.
"I'm not the panacea for this basketball club," Jackson said. "It's going to
take plenty of hard work and dedication over the course of the summer to change
the face of this team."
Jackson said winning a 10th championship is not a priority and didn't sound
like he expected that in the next three years.
"I would be most amazed if at the end of the third year we had an opportunity
to do that," he said.
"He said the same thing the first time we hired him. I hope the same thing
unfolds," Kupchak said.
Jackson spoke to several other teams, including the New York Knicks. His
decision to rejoin the Lakers should speed up the process of filling other job
openings around the league. There are coaching vacancies in Minnesota and
Portland, and Seattle coach Nate McMillan's contract expires at the end of this
month.
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