Fox Sports: Phil Jackson has just announced that he’ll make public within the next four weeks his decision whether or not to re-sign with the Lakers (his current contract expires after this season).
Let me preface the following by saying that, although Phil is a good friend of long-standing, I’ve had no advance word from him as to what his intentions are, and that my opinions are just that — my opinions.
That said, here are what I believe to be the pros and cons that might influence his decision.
Why he will return…
*During his last year of unemployment, Phil was at first convinced that he’d never coach in the NBA again. In lieu of that, he busied himself with writing a book (The Last Season: A Team in Search of Its Soul), giving motivational speeches to various groupings of CEOs, and traveling (specifically to Australia, New Zealand and Tahiti). None of these activities was as satisfying as coaching.
*His girlfriend, Jeannie Buss, lives down the street.
*He understands his mere presence on the bench is a considerable factor in maintaining the overall value of the franchise. He sees this as a continuing obligation to Jeannie.
Continue reading ‘Stay or go? Jackson facing difficult decision’
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