Jackson is Back

[cepstrum]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-lakers-jackson&prov=ap&type=lgns

 

[Joe Mama]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2084948

Jackson apparently healthy
Associated Press


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.

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."

 

[fordronken]

No surprise. I do think they'll be a much better team next year. The question now is, how will it affect their draft, and how much power does he really have over the personnel decisions?

As for point guards, they don't want a ball dominant type, a la Marbury/Atkins, etc. He needs to be a good passer and a good spot up shooter. Mobile, passing big men are important as well.

Odom will struggle in the triangle, I think. I think he will be successful only if he really works on his ability to catch and shoot. He also needs to learn not to hold the ball too much. I'd put money on him changing uniforms within the next year.

Mihm will be an adequate center in the offense, but they'll need a better one if they want to go anywhere. Ideally, you don't want him playing over 25 minutes a game.

Kobe will be much more efficient as a player now. He's going to get the ball in scoring positions and will be leading the triangle the way Jordan did in Chicago.

I predict a messy year for the Lakers. Depending on how the rest of the league and their roster changes, the best they'll do is a seven or eight seed if they're lucky. I see them hovering just above .500 for the year.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I don't see how you can say a mobile, passing big man is crucial to the triangle but then discredit Odom's ability to succeed in it. That's basically all Odom is. And I doubt it will be the same triangle we saw with Shaq in the middle, I imagine it will be more like the Bulls triangle with Kobe taking the role of MJ and Odom ooccupying Pippen's spot. And those MJ-led teams had some of the most immobile centers in the NBA.

They obviously won't be as good as those Bulls teams but I do think the Lakers will be back in the playoffs next year. Phil is way too good of a coach for it not to happen unless the Lakers GM comlpetely craps the bed as far as personnel decisions go. They will absolutely not be a contender though like the Suns and Spurs will inevitably be.

 

[cepstrum]

Is it just me or is this story more interesting than the NBA finals? That is pretty sad.

 

[George O'Brien]

Is it just me or is this story more interesting than the NBA finals? That is pretty sad.

At least there was some suspense in this "will he or won't he".

BTW, I agree that the Lakers will be making a lot of changes. I would imagine that Butler has some market value and Grant might even get them something in return if sent back east inspite of his ugly, ugly contract. On paper this should not have been such a horrible team, but the total was less than the sum of the parts.

 

[D-Dogg]

Phil has already gone on record as being a fan of Odom.

I foresee Odom as a point forward and in the pippen roll, with Kobe working more off the ball.

I'm excited, but I sure hope Phillip doesn't bring the drama. Without the Big Ego, I think Kobe and Phil will get along fine. They both want to win more than anything else.

I'm wondering what is to become of Caron; I really really like that guy.

 

[fordronken]

I don't see how you can say a mobile, passing big man is crucial to the triangle but then discredit Odom's ability to succeed in it. That's basically all Odom is.

Odom should not be their big man. He's not a low post threat against other big men.

And I doubt it will be the same triangle we saw with Shaq in the middle, I imagine it will be more like the Bulls triangle with Kobe taking the role of MJ and Odom ooccupying Pippen's spot.

Didn't I already say that about Jordan? And if Odom is taking Pippen's spot, how is he only a mobile passing big man? Also, Odom isn't good enough at any of the things that made Pippen so perfect for that team. He's not a good spot up shooter, he doesn't run a good two man game with Kobe, he is not a lock-down defender and he's not all that great at driving to the basket. But other than that, he's great for it.

And those MJ-led teams had some of the most immobile centers in the NBA.

Again, Odom is no Pippen. And those teams had great defenders and built up roles. When you have the best player of all time, another in the top 50, and a slew of great role players, you can get by with moderately adequate centers. They also never faced a dominant center in the Finals. The closest thing to a great center they faced was Patrick Ewing, who, as any real Knicks fan will tell you, is not that good.

They obviously won't be as good as those Bulls teams but I do think the Lakers will be back in the playoffs next year. Phil is way too good of a coach for it not to happen unless the Lakers GM comlpetely craps the bed as far as personnel decisions go. They will absolutely not be a contender though like the Suns and Spurs will inevitably be.

I'm not so sure that a team which will be only slightly better built than last year's will make the playoffs. They'd need some serious help and health from Vlade Divac for starters. Nonetheless, I already said they can make the playoffs, but I'm not so sure Phil Jackson makes them a lock. For example:

• Phoenix
• San Antonio
• Denver
• Houston
• Dallas

They're all locks in my opinion. Which means the Lakers have to be in the top three among Memphis, Golden State, Minnesota, Utah, Clippers, Seattle and Sacramento. Not so easy, is it? It depends, as I said earlier, on roster moves. They could easily be a pretty good team and still end up with a 10 seed.

 

[D-Dogg]

I'm not so sure that a team which will be only slightly better built than last year's will make the playoffs.

Last year's team, under Rudy Three was sitting at the 5 or 6 seed. When he stepped down and the injury bug hit, the team fell completely apart. Don't underestimate that team. They almost beat the Suns twice before the implosion.

And we had no Vlade. Mihm was our center the whole year.

Actually, please keep underestimating the Lakers. Underestimate them all the way to a second round loss to them.

 

[Cheesebeef]

They also never faced a dominant center in the Finals. The closest thing to a great center they faced was Patrick Ewing, who, as any real Knicks fan will tell you, is not that good.

Uh - didn't they beat the piss out of Shaq - a 4 game sweep - it wasn't the Finals - but does that really make a difference? As far as beating Patrick - he wasn't the end all be all the league thought he'd be - but to say "he's not that good" is a joke. The guy was one of the best Centers of all time, made numerous NBA All-First Teams, was an Olympian (a starter on the greatest team of all time) and made multiple All-Defense teams. Not to mention they consistently beat the piss out of Brad Daugrtery(not at all-time great but when healthy - which he was when the Bulls used to rip the hearts out of the Cavs - was a pretty good C).

They're a lock for the playoffs IMO. Hell - they were 24-19 and decent enough this season before Bryant's injury, Rudy T quit and Lamar went down for the season. They won't be great, but they'll be better than Seattle, Sacramento, Clippers, T-wolves, Memphis and Golden State.

I won't worry about them for the long run until they a) Get a PF or b) Amare doesn't sign an extension this offseason.

 

[fordronken]

Talk to some Knick fans. One New Yorker I know calls Ewing "The worst player ever who will make the Hall of Fame." He said the last Knick team he actually liked had Bernard King.

But I forgot about Shaq. Nonetheless, the point is, when you have those guys, you don't need much of a 5.

As for the Lakers, I'm not saying they're gonna be bad, I just think the West is deep enough, that if the player movement goes the wrong way for them, it's extremely plausible to miss the playoffs.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Again, Odom is no Pippen. And those teams had great defenders and built up roles. When you have the best player of all time, another in the top 50, and a slew of great role players, you can get by with moderately adequate centers. They also never faced a dominant center in the Finals. The closest thing to a great center they faced was Patrick Ewing, who, as any real Knicks fan will tell you, is not that good.

I never compared Pippen to Odom, they're not even close to being in the same class. I just said Odom will likely fill Pip's role in the triangle which was as a distributor at a point forward type position (I have no idea where you're getting this spot up shooter stuff from, Pip was never a great shooter). Of course he won't match Pippen's production, he's a far inferior player and far less intelligent in a basketball sense.

And Ewing, Mourning, and Shaq were all great centers and were beaten by Jordan's Bulls in their primes. Not to mention lower tier decent centers like Mutombo and Rik Smits. Not exactly the garbage centers that permeate today's NBA.

I'm not so sure that a team which will be only slightly better built than last year's will make the playoffs. They'd need some serious help and health from Vlade Divac for starters. Nonetheless, I already said they can make the playoffs, but I'm not so sure Phil Jackson makes them a lock. For example:

• Phoenix
• San Antonio
• Denver
• Houston
• Dallas

They're all locks in my opinion. Which means the Lakers have to be in the top three among Memphis, Golden State, Minnesota, Utah, Clippers, Seattle and Sacramento. Not so easy, is it? It depends, as I said earlier, on roster moves. They could easily be a pretty good team and still end up with a 10 seed.

Of course nothing is a lock, but the Lakers under Phil played defense while they played none last year or the years before he got there. Who's to say if he will be able to motivate them into playing it again, but 9 rings can get across with almost anybody. But with NBA players you just never know.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Talk to some Knick fans. One New Yorker I know calls Ewing "The worst player ever who will make the Hall of Fame." He said the last Knick team he actually liked had Bernard King.

yeah - but that's because nothing is ever good enough for Knick fans - and New Yorkers in general are MORONS - at least most of my friends from there. Knick fans hate Patrick because they're expectations were way too high - they all believed he was the second coming of Willis Reed. Was he one of the best C of all time? Probably not - but he was a damn good player - although about as unclutch as they come - what 7 footer finger rolls down 1 with 1 second left in Game 7 on his own homecourt? Losing in that fashion to the Pacers was the only thing that put a smile on my face the day after Mario Elie kissed our asses goodbye on our homecourt in Game 7.

 

[Cheesebeef]

And Ewing, Mourning, and Shaq were all great centers and were beaten by Jordan's Bulls in their primes. Not to mention lower tier decent centers like Mutombo and Rik Smits. Not exactly the garbage centers that permeate today's NBA.

Wow - I forgot about Zo and Mutombo getting their asses handed to them also. The Bulls actually pretty much beat all of the great C from that Era - exc ept for Hakeem and the Admiral - both of whom (especially DRob) were too pathetic to even get out of the Centerless West.

 

[se7en]

Talk to some Knick fans. One New Yorker I know calls Ewing "The worst player ever who will make the Hall of Fame."

Interesting thought. I’m going to guess that Jason Kidd will be the worst player to make the hall of fame. He’ll probably be the first player to make the hall shooting below 40% for his career.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Talk to some Knick fans. One New Yorker I know calls Ewing "The worst player ever who will make the Hall of Fame."

Interesting thought. I’m going to guess that Jason Kidd will be the worst player to make the hall of fame. He’ll probably be the first player to make the hall shooting below 40% for his career.

I never understood why Kidd got so much props - even when he was in Phoenix. The guy never elevated his team in the playoffs, and onlybecame successful when transferring to the J.V. League and then once they plyed the west again, got completely creamed.

Kidd's the most overrated player in our lifetime. KJ deserve to be in the Hall before that schlub.

 

[Joe Mama]

I never understood why Kidd got so much props - even when he was in Phoenix. The guy never elevated his team in the playoffs, and onlybecame successful when transferring to the J.V. League and then once they plyed the west again, got completely creamed.

Kidd's the most overrated player in our lifetime. KJ deserve to be in the Hall before that schlub.

Not to mention he's a loser off the court. Jason Kidd he is/was a very good player. He could take an average or slightly below average team and make them pretty good. If he had never learned how to shoot the ball consistently he might have been one of the very best point guards ever.

Joe Mama

 

[Errntknght]

You know, I don't recall the Bulls ever meeting a team for which Mourning played back in their title runs. The years I remember it was always the Knicks knocking the Heat out of contention during the early rounds.

 

[Chaplin]

This isn't going to matter. The Lakers might make the postseason next season, but you still need talent to win basketball games, and the Lakers are woefully lacking in that area.

 

[D-Dogg]

This isn't going to matter. The Lakers might make the postseason next season, but you still need talent to win basketball games, and the Lakers are woefully lacking in that area.

You are terribly wrong.

 

[fordronken]

You are terribly wrong.

You will acknowledge, however, that the majority of their talent play pretty similar positions, won't you?

 

[sunsfn]

Chad Ford Blog.............

----------------------------

Phil in. Kobe out?

It didn't take long for news of Phil Jackson's hire to travel from L.A. to Italy.


I was sitting in a gym at the Reebok Eurocamp watching a group of camp all-stars play the Israeli under-22 national team when the news broke.

The gym was filled with nearly 50 NBA scouts and GMs, and the chatter in the gym rose immediately.

The reaction of everyone here was the same -- is it time to rush back to the office and put together the best offer possible for Kobe?

Two scouts were openly speculating about a Pau Gasol-for-Kobe trade. That does not work under the cap, by the way (Gasol's a base-year player next year), but that wasn't going to stop anyone from debating it.

The consensus was that Kobe and Phil won't get along and, unlike last time, it will be Kobe who is shown the door if troubles continue.

By now you know that no superstar is safe from being traded. Last summer, both Shaquille O'Neal and Tracy McGrady were shipped off.

But in both cases, the team that traded the superstar got significantly less back in return. So wouldn't trading Kobe be a mistake?

"Probably," one GM in Italy told Insider. "I don't think you can get equal value for Kobe. Maybe you get 80 percent for him, but is that enough? I think one of the lessons people have learned from this summer is that trading a superstar never turns out well for the team that decides to pull the trigger. But the truth is that sometimes things are so unworkable that they have no choice."

That clearly seemed to be the situation in Los Angeles, Orlando and Toronto (when they kicked Vince Carter to the curb). Will it become the situation again in L.A.?

Not only is the relationship between Jackson and Bryant strained, but the team has other chemistry issues that aren't going away just because Phil walks back into the building.

The Lakers are very unbalanced in terms of talent, having no real point guard or inside game to speak of. They might be able to address one of those areas via the draft, but they'll likely have to make some sort of trade to alleviate a logjam at small forward and address some serious issues in the paint.

It could end up being Caron Butler or even Lamar Odom who is used as trade bait. But Kobe is the only guy who could bring a legit center to replace the one the Lakers traded away last year.

"Phil is only coming back if he thinks he can win," another GM said. "He can't win with that roster right now, so there are going to be changes. If the Lakers want to get good in a hurry, Kobe's the bait."

I doubt Kobe gets moved this summer. Buss has invested too much in Kobe to dump him this early. But with Jackson back in the saddle in L.A., the chances that Kobe stays in L.A. long term don't look very good.

 

[elindholm]

What center do the Lakers plan to get? Ilgauskas in a sign-and-trade? Now that O'Neal is gone, the Lakers are just like almost every other team in the league -- they want one of the few marquee centers, but none of them are available.

By the way, I would do Marion and Richardson for Bryant and Medvedenko.

 

[Chaplin]

By the way, I would do Marion and Richardson for Bryant and Medvedenko.

Uh Oh. That certainly opens a can of something, I don't know what, but definitely a can of something.

 

[Kolo]

Uh Oh. That certainly opens a can of something, I don't know what, but definitely a can of something.

Yeah, I wouldn't do Marion or Richardson for anybody.