Phil Jackson interested in coming back to the NBA

[NOODLESTYLE]

Playing with our emotions again. Sounds like he'd be back for sure if given a managerial position.

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/stor ... ources-say

After nearly two seasons in retirement, Phil Jackson has become increasingly interested in working in the NBA next season, according to sources familiar with his thinking.That doesn't necessarily mean a return to coaching, as Jackson is known to be intrigued by the concept of moving into management for the first time in his career.

But sources told ESPN.com this week that Jackson is "itching" to go back to work after a long spell to recharge since leaving the Los Angeles Lakers' bench following the 2010-11 season.
Sources stressed that there is no specific opportunity in play yet for Jackson, who resisted coaching overtures from the Brooklyn Nets earlier this season and told longtime confidant Charley Rosen in January in a SheridanHoops.com story that he "has no intention of ever coaching again."

But NBA coaching sources say that stance will not dissuade teams with openings from approaching Jackson this offseason to gauge his interest, with the Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers -- who interviewed Jackson in 2005 and are known to be contemplating a coaching change -- potentially at the top of the list.

What has Jackson really intrigued, sources say, is the opportunity to oversee an organization in the patriarchal style of Pat Riley with the Miami Heat or in a role similar to that previously held by Larry Bird with the Indiana Pacers.

[Kilroy]

Who would give him a job considering his Wife to be is President and a majority owner of the Lakers?

It would seem that LAL is the only place for him.

Remember those rumors about Mitch retiring a while back... I wonder if with Dr. Buss gone, if Mitch is more or less inclined to retire.

[NOODLESTYLE]

I agree with that and the Jeanie connection is important, but not sure if Jim Buss really wants him back and Jeanie mostly handles the business side. Who knows though, maybe Jim will have a change of heart.

The Seattle owners were rumored to want Phil Jackson, if they are able to move the Kings there.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/eye-o ... -rc-buford

Not only will the Seattle owners try to get a great front-office presence to set the tone for how the organization is operated, but they're going to go after one of, if not the greatest coach in NBA history. Peter Vescey tweeted that Phil Jackson is a target for the organization to be a part of the front office:

Source says almost living lock Phil Jackson will become front office face of Seattle-bound Kings' franchise. Won't coach. Will mentor choice

[gotokyo]

Wouldn't there be some sort of conflict of interest if his wife is part owner of the Lakers and he's the GM of another team?

Just the other day Jay-z had to sell his 1/16th of 1% share of the nets to become a sports agent. This seems like an even bigger deal then that was.

[Imadogg]

How is this a bigger deal than Jay-Z? Phil's fiancee is part of the Lakers. He is not.

Jay-Z is a part owner of the Nets, but he wants to represent players who will play on different teams. That one is an actual conflict of interest.

[Gek]

We'd have to mortgage the team to pay for him.

[Kilroy]

Yes, but at least initially, he'd create a huge influx of interest and merch cash... Phil instantly makes the Lakers a more marketable franchise.
I believe the only team he'd be willing to coach is the Lakers... If he could get a FO role somewhere else, he might go there. But I just have a gut feeling that he want's to come back to LA in some role.

That said, I don't think he gives 2 **** who has to lose their jobs to make that happen... Which is a fundamental problem with Phil coming back.

MDA can go, but I'd have a hard time watching Mitch leave.

[gotokyo]

How is this a bigger deal than Jay-Z? Phil's fiancee is part of the Lakers. He is not.

Jay-Z is a part owner of the Nets, but he wants to represent players who will play on different teams. That one is an actual conflict of interest.

I'm not a marriage expert but I was assuming that when two people get married their assets then become shared in some form or fashion.

You don't think Jeanie being a major share holder in the Lakers while her husband Phil is running a competing team could be considered a conflict of interest in any way? I'd love to hear your response once the first semi uneven trade between the two teams happens. People lost their **** when they thought Jerry West gift wrapped us Pau Gasol, and as far as I know him and Dr Buss were never romantically involved.

[Gek]

That's why teams have other personnel that can vote on and verify trades. The chances of those two teams ever doing business are slim anyways.

Also I can guarantee you that Phil's name is not on Jeanie's stockholder documents except maybe as beneficiary in event of death and even that's unlikely.

[minifang]

Phil wouldn't get any ownership stake for a while even when they marry. I'm sure Dr. Buss set up the trust in such a way that only his kids can make decisions regarding the team and they won't "officially" own it for an X amount of years.

This is a security measure in the case that someone divorces from the Buss family and cannot take any claim of the team.

Jackson getting hired by the Lakers would be another story.

[eckoner]

We all have to keep in mind the timing of this.

Phil is the most calculated figure in sports

Anyhow ...Jimmy Buss obviously has issues with Phil and IMO he has issue with the fact that Phil can do no wrong in the eyes of fans and with Phil around the Lakers will never become "Jim's Team"

IMO - Jimmy feels Phil is going to be around more than enough and there is no need to allow him to exert his influence even more than he already does.

If Jim wants to make amends with us fans and get over the quasi sibling rivalry he would allow Phil to slide into the GM role or even make up some sort of "consultant" or VP of player personnel or something. Not hard and if Jim wanted to make this happen it would have been done already.

I just dont see Phil having any kind of official role with the Lakers as long as Jimmy is around.

Please please prove me wrong.

[LAKESHOW]

There are talents and abilities that phil has. Thee greatest in coaching! But his gifts do not fall in the category of GM or front office.

[minifang]

I wouldn't mind Phil being the third voice in team decisions. In no way am I willing to ever let Mitch go though.

[Kilroy]

I'm not talking about legal precedents or actual, conflict of interest with Phil and Jeanie on opposing teams... I would think the perception that Phil would be tainted by his relationship to the Buss family would be enough to exclude him from most if not all FO jobs. I believe the rumors about Seattle came out before Phil and Jeanie announced their engagement. Those may be off the table now.

As for Phil on the Lakers... There's no way MDA and Phil could work together, and there's no way to put Phil in a position of authority in player movement/development without subjugating Mitch in some way.
I don't believe there's as big a rift between Phil and Jim Buss as there was between Phil and Dr Buss... I think that could work.
So I think the ideal situation for Phil would be a hybrid Coach/GM role. But that pushes Mitch out.

And Mitch is younger than Phil. He's kind of in his prime as a GM.

But I could see Jim having a desire to move Mitch out and start fresh with a new GM. I could see Phil in that role.

Ronnie Lester's old job may be available, but I can't think of a more unlikely pairing than Mitch and Phil in those roles. That might be a spot left available for someone like Kobe or some other player looking to work his way into the FO.

[minifang]

So I think the ideal situation for Phil would be a hybrid Coach/GM role. But that pushes Mitch out.

And Mitch is younger than Phil. He's kind of in his prime as a GM.

I agree. It could work out in the sense that Mitch continues to do all the GM'ing and Phil as a coach would have an equal say on the final decisions made. Rather than Jim and Mitch making all the calls, it'll be Jim, Mitch, and Phil.

[Beethoven]

As someone mentioned , it is total conflict of interest if he manages another team and Jeanie is here. He's coming to the lakers and I cannot wait in what capacity.

[mcscotty]

Would Phil go to the Clippers?

[Gek]

Phil would only go somewhere with $ bags. LA and NYK are the most likely options imo.

[Tien]

Phil can't go back to Lakers, that ship sailed.

Way too much disrespect done to Phil and Phil wouldn't come back unless that failure of an owner Jim Buss cedes management powers.

Won't happen.

[MelosSoreWrist]

Phil can't go back to Lakers, that ship sailed.

Way too much disrespect done to Phil and Phil wouldn't come back unless that failure of an owner Jim Buss cedes management powers.

Won't happen.

I disagree with this perspective.

If the Lakers come back and open up the checkbook for Phil, he could easily come back. That gesture in itself would be a mea culpa by Jim Buss.

What I tend not to think will happen is Jim conceding he made a mistake and having to come "groveling" back to Phil.