From the LA Times’ Mike Bresnahan.
Phil Jackson, who guided the Lakers to four Finals appearances in five seasons but was cast adrift last June, will be reintroduced as coach of the team this afternoon at a 2 p.m. news conference at Staples Center.
The Lakers emerged as winners of a two-month courtship process in which Jackson also received overtures from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Sacramento Kings and New York Knicks. Of those teams, the Knicks were the hardest to reject ” Jackson played 11 seasons with them and considered Knick coaching legend Red Holzman one of his most important basketball mentors.
What this will mean for the Knicks coaching hopes of Herb Williams, Bill Lambier or PJ Carlesimo, we should find out shortly.
In all fairness, the NBA should intervene and make sure that Jackson has another Top 50 player on the Lakers next year. Maybe force a trade for Tim Duncan or something. Otherwise, it’s just not fair! Jackson cant be expected to go out there and coach a team with only one superstar! So do the right thing, Stern. Force another team to give Big Chief Triangle the ‘missing piece’ to the Lakers 2006 squad.
TH