Lakers coach Phil Jackson did his best to squash recent rumors that he'd be open to coaching either the New Jersey Nets or Chicago Bulls next season. Phil's contract expires after the season so he's free to go wherever he wants.
But why anyone would think that he'd go to either Jersey or Chicago is beyond me.
Sure, you can point to a few things that sound great ... like going back to the beginning in Chicago, getting paid by a gazillionaire Russian guy, getting to coach in the New York area and, of course, coaching LeBron James.
But is any of that better than what he has now?
THE CITIES: The Los Angeles lifestyle fits Phil more than Chicago or even Metro New York. He has roots in the Windy City, but he has some really good roots set in Los Angeles. It can't be about "the stage" since these are the three largest metro areas in the NBA. The Lakers are the NBA's glamor franchise that plays in front of movie, television and singing stars. Sure, the Nets would get some more star love if that team gets to a championship level, but nothing like Hollywood.
WINNING: The Lakers could be on the verge of winning their fifth NBA title with Phil at the helm (which would give him 11 overall). Chicago was the 8th seed in the East last year. The Nets barely got past having the worst record in NBA history. Sure, both the Bulls and Nets have tons of cap space (and Jersey has the #3 draft pick) and some young talent to turn that around quickly. The sealing point would be if they could add LeBron James to their franchise ... or else Phil won't have any interest. In fact, he may have no interest if the team that does sign LeBron doesn't bring another star player in.
LEGACY: Really, the only legacy that Phil can gain by moving on to another team would be that he coached Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. Pretty strong. Winning a title with LeBron would be the icing on a Hall of Fame career. But you know what else would be pretty darn special? The ability to go after FOUR three-peats. FOUR. Let me say that again. FOUR. He three-peated with the Bulls in 1991-1993 then again from 1996-1998. He skipped a season before leading the Lakers to a three-peat from 2000-2002. With the Lakers winning the title last year and two wins away from the Finals this year, he could have a shot at yet another three straight titles. That would also mean he would most certainly become the best coach in Lakers history if he isn't already.
THE TEAM: In Chicago or New Jersey, not only would Phil be inheriting a team filled with players he doesn't know, both teams will be totally revamped from last year and have no cohesion. Sure, you'd have LeBron but you have no idea what patchwork players may be surrounding them. In Los Angeles, he'll be helming pretty much the exact same team as this year. A team he knows. Guys, as quirky as they may be, he has a good grasp on already. Plus his girlfriend just happens to be the daughter of the owner. Whenever he decides to hang 'em up, he will most certainly have a consultant-type position with the Lakers.
HIS FUTURE: Which brings me to his future. This isn't a guy with a ton of years left in him as far as coaching goes. Heck, he could call it quits after this season. It isn't about needing to coach with him as much as it is wanting to coach. He's got everything established in LA. He's got the team he's built and the culture ready to win. If he goes anywhere else, he won't be taking over any of that. As I said, he'll take over a team that hasn't played together and a superstar that he doesn't know very well. Jordan and Bryant are two of the most driven players in the history of the NBA ... but we still don't know if that's LeBron's focus. Heck, if LeBron was truly about winning then he'd sign on with the Lakers, Celtics, Magic, Mavericks or Spurs.
But why anyone would think that he'd go to either Jersey or Chicago is beyond me.
Sure, you can point to a few things that sound great ... like going back to the beginning in Chicago, getting paid by a gazillionaire Russian guy, getting to coach in the New York area and, of course, coaching LeBron James.
But is any of that better than what he has now?
THE CITIES: The Los Angeles lifestyle fits Phil more than Chicago or even Metro New York. He has roots in the Windy City, but he has some really good roots set in Los Angeles. It can't be about "the stage" since these are the three largest metro areas in the NBA. The Lakers are the NBA's glamor franchise that plays in front of movie, television and singing stars. Sure, the Nets would get some more star love if that team gets to a championship level, but nothing like Hollywood.
WINNING: The Lakers could be on the verge of winning their fifth NBA title with Phil at the helm (which would give him 11 overall). Chicago was the 8th seed in the East last year. The Nets barely got past having the worst record in NBA history. Sure, both the Bulls and Nets have tons of cap space (and Jersey has the #3 draft pick) and some young talent to turn that around quickly. The sealing point would be if they could add LeBron James to their franchise ... or else Phil won't have any interest. In fact, he may have no interest if the team that does sign LeBron doesn't bring another star player in.
LEGACY: Really, the only legacy that Phil can gain by moving on to another team would be that he coached Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. Pretty strong. Winning a title with LeBron would be the icing on a Hall of Fame career. But you know what else would be pretty darn special? The ability to go after FOUR three-peats. FOUR. Let me say that again. FOUR. He three-peated with the Bulls in 1991-1993 then again from 1996-1998. He skipped a season before leading the Lakers to a three-peat from 2000-2002. With the Lakers winning the title last year and two wins away from the Finals this year, he could have a shot at yet another three straight titles. That would also mean he would most certainly become the best coach in Lakers history if he isn't already.
THE TEAM: In Chicago or New Jersey, not only would Phil be inheriting a team filled with players he doesn't know, both teams will be totally revamped from last year and have no cohesion. Sure, you'd have LeBron but you have no idea what patchwork players may be surrounding them. In Los Angeles, he'll be helming pretty much the exact same team as this year. A team he knows. Guys, as quirky as they may be, he has a good grasp on already. Plus his girlfriend just happens to be the daughter of the owner. Whenever he decides to hang 'em up, he will most certainly have a consultant-type position with the Lakers.
HIS FUTURE: Which brings me to his future. This isn't a guy with a ton of years left in him as far as coaching goes. Heck, he could call it quits after this season. It isn't about needing to coach with him as much as it is wanting to coach. He's got everything established in LA. He's got the team he's built and the culture ready to win. If he goes anywhere else, he won't be taking over any of that. As I said, he'll take over a team that hasn't played together and a superstar that he doesn't know very well. Jordan and Bryant are two of the most driven players in the history of the NBA ... but we still don't know if that's LeBron's focus. Heck, if LeBron was truly about winning then he'd sign on with the Lakers, Celtics, Magic, Mavericks or Spurs.
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