—– Tony Moustakelis
As if the good news of the Ron Artest signing wasn’t enough to fully satisfy the needs of Lakers fans, the news of Phil Jacksons return should be. Before Phil made it on to his summer home in Montana, he proclaimed that he would fulfill his two year contract and return for a 19th season as a head coach. Jackson will be looking to expand his record setting championships as he goes for number 11. But could it be his last?
Jackson, who turns 64 in September, is nearing the end of the road. According to a source close to the situation, stated to me recently.
“Jackson is nearing the end; he is kind of losing it. He thought that Sun Yue would be the full time starting point guard next year (09-10 season). He also said that Adam Morrison would be his secret weapon in the finals.”
Jackson has been up to the many challenges of his career, using it as motivation to keep going. Jackson was one of the only people that got through to the troubled Dennis Rodman. Many great coaches were unable to control the wild child. Instead of shunning him away, as many did in the past, Jackson embraced him and guided him. He used different tactics, a laid back, non-controlling approach that seemed to work. When Rodman would yell and scream, Phil would sit down and just stare at him.
Now Jackson has another thing coming for him. A man who has been compared to Rodman throughout his career, Ron Artest has been an uncontrollable figure. He has led the league in technical fouls; he has been ejected for on the court confrontations, and has been labeled as a dirty player. All leading up to his famous brawl in Detroit in November 2004, that will stick to his reputation.
“Obviously, everybody close to Phil is equally thrilled with that news,” said Todd Musburger, Jackson’s agent. “He’s excited first that his health is what it needs to be. It’s going to be an exciting year. This move that they just made [for Artest] is filled with intrigue.”
If indeed this is Jackson’s last season, he will be leaving a team that he helped keep together. When Bryant first expressed his displeasure in the press about the Lakers organization, it was Jackson who was the mediator of the situation. Jackson was someone that has guided Bryant, and helped get him to MVP honors in 2008, and again topped it off in 2009 with an NBA championship without Shaquille O’Neal.
While many hope that this is not the last run for Phil, when reality hits it may be.
“The present agreement between Phil and the Lakers runs though the 2009-10 season,” said Musburger. “There is a comfortable and positive relationship between Phil, Dr. Buss, his sons that are in management, and certainly Mitch Kupchak, that if both sides feel an extension is something they want, then obviously it could happen. But for the moment, there’s another terrific season to look forward to and nothing formal planned on seeking answers beyond the coming year.”
Jackson has done it all, through 6 championships with the Chicago Bull, and now 4 with the Lakers. Jackson has placed himself at a plateau making it difficult for anyone to surpass him. With three three-peats, and a winning percentage that’s astounding, Jackson, if he leaves the game, will surely be missed.
Embrace this season basketball fans, because you maybe witnessing the last year of a great one, a one of a kind legend, and hall of famer. The day he announces his retirement, will be a day that the basketball world will have another black hole to fill.
