A third stint for Phil Jackson as the Lakers coach feels very Billy Martin/George Steinbrenner.
But it’s not out of the question.
Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak suggested during his press conference on the firing of Mike Brown that some players could have input into who is the next coach. Which is apparently more than happened with the hiring of Mike Brown the first time around. You can bet Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash have a say.
And Dwight Howard knows who he wants — Phil Jackson. That at least according to a report at Sheridanhoops.com.Dwight Howard has told the Los Angeles Lakers he wants them to bring back Phil Jackson as coach,’ a source close to the team tells SheridanHoops.com.
(Jerry) Buss’ son, Jim, is expected to be the person who makes the ultimate decision on who the next coach will be, and the source who spoke to SheridanHoops made it clear that Buss is aware of Howard’s wishes. It remains unclear if Jackson would be interested, but he retains a close relationship with Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol — two of the players he coached in Los Angeles before leaving the team after the 2010-11 season.
Remember that Dwight Howard is a free agent this summer, the Lakers still have to re-sign him. What that is considered likely, it’s also leverage to make sure his voice is heard in this process.
“When there’s a coach like Phil Jackson, one of the all time greats, and he’s not coaching you’d be negligent not to be aware,” Lakers GM Mitch Kupchack said his press conference Friday discussing the Brown hiring.
You know Jackson has a pretty good relationship with Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, you know those two guys could slide right back into the triangle offense. Plus he knows how to build a team and manage minutes. Oh, and there are the 11 rings.
But I still don’t see it happening. Sorry Dwight. First, when Jim Buss brought in Mike Brown he purged a lot of other things Jackson from the Lakers organization. Buss wanted his stamp on the organization, to show he was the right leader to follow his father Jerry leading the Lakers. To bring back Jackson is to admit that failed.
Then there is the question of if Jackson wants to come back. He was tired of the grind of coaching when he left and he and the Lakers were not on the best of terms. There are reasons he may say no.
But his name is in play. And at least one prominent Laker wants him.