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Lakers coach Jackson coy on plans for next season
Source: Agencies |
May 6, 2010, Thursday
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LOS Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson says he knows what he'll be doing next season. He's just not ready to tell everybody else about it.
The 10-time NBA champion coach downplayed growing speculation he could leave the Lakers for a lucrative job elsewhere. When pressed, Jackson said he can't see himself coaching any team but the Lakers next season - if he coaches.
Jackson later gave himself a bit of wiggle room.
"I'd say it's a 90 percent chance if I'm coaching, it would be here," Jackson said.
Any Chicago Bulls fans hoping for Jackson's return shouldn't hold their breath: He acknowledged no interest in the vacancy in Chicago, where Jackson won six championships in the 1990s with Michael Jordan.
"No, I'm not (interested), and I think it's a wonderful job for whoever takes it," Jackson said. "It's a team on the rise, and they showed an ability to come back after a devastating first few months."
Jackson is in a relationship with Lakers executive Jeanie Buss, who said last week that Jackson definitely will coach somewhere next year. But Buss also said her father, Lakers owner Jerry Buss, wasn't keen on paying the record US$12 million salary Jackson was making this season.
Six weeks ago in Oklahoma City, Jackson said an 11th championship would make it "almost imperative" for him to return for another season. Jackson has suggested he wouldn't mind taking a smaller salary in return for other benefits.
The Lakers ballooned their payroll to an NBA-high US$91.3 million this season in their quest to defend the 15th title.
The 10-time NBA champion coach downplayed growing speculation he could leave the Lakers for a lucrative job elsewhere. When pressed, Jackson said he can't see himself coaching any team but the Lakers next season - if he coaches.
Jackson later gave himself a bit of wiggle room.
"I'd say it's a 90 percent chance if I'm coaching, it would be here," Jackson said.
Any Chicago Bulls fans hoping for Jackson's return shouldn't hold their breath: He acknowledged no interest in the vacancy in Chicago, where Jackson won six championships in the 1990s with Michael Jordan.
"No, I'm not (interested), and I think it's a wonderful job for whoever takes it," Jackson said. "It's a team on the rise, and they showed an ability to come back after a devastating first few months."
Jackson is in a relationship with Lakers executive Jeanie Buss, who said last week that Jackson definitely will coach somewhere next year. But Buss also said her father, Lakers owner Jerry Buss, wasn't keen on paying the record US$12 million salary Jackson was making this season.
Six weeks ago in Oklahoma City, Jackson said an 11th championship would make it "almost imperative" for him to return for another season. Jackson has suggested he wouldn't mind taking a smaller salary in return for other benefits.
The Lakers ballooned their payroll to an NBA-high US$91.3 million this season in their quest to defend the 15th title.
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