There are few truths in this world.
One appears to be the Lakers wanting Phil Jackson to be their head coach. Whether Jeanie Buss, Jackson's fiance(?), talks about the possibility of Phil returning more or not, the two are tied together and, thus, the franchise is tied to Jackson.
Let Phil Jackson put the kibash on that notion right now. . . for now. Jackson told the Williston (N.D.) Herald he is not going to coach any time soon (h/t Players View):
I have no intention of coaching. I am still recovering from multiple surgeries.
Jackson is enjoying life in Montana and North Dakota without the pressure of coaching. The call will be there though if a team wants him.
Mike D'Antoni's tenure with the Lakers started rough because of the latest flirtation with Jackson and the mismatched roster Mitch Kupchak gave him. D'Antoni did not use the players he had well either, stubbornly sticking to his 4-out, 1-in system without a stretch-4 and a point guard who could play the pick and roll (or a center willing to do that). Jackson was the popular choice.
D'Antoni seems confident that the Lakers can piece things back together this season. They are the Lakers, after all. I think.
And until the Lakers are back to contending for a championship and until Phil Jackson takes another job, Lakers fans will continue to pine for their old coach.
