Phil Jackson returning to the Los Angeles Lakers
The Cleveland Cavaliers have nearly got their man, the Boston Celtics got their man to stay and now the Los Angeles Lakers, too, have got their man to stay.
Lakers head coach Phil Jackson says he will return to coach the team for the 2010-11 season after weeks of deliberating with his family and doctors. Jackson becomes the second coach this week to commit to his team after thinking about stepping down – Boston’s Doc Rivers committed to the Celtics after also thinking about quitting.
"Count me in. After a couple weeks of deliberation, it is time to get back to the challenge of putting together a team that can defend its title in the 2010-11 season,” Jackson said.
Jackson had thought about leaving the Lakers due to his health. Jackson had been suffering with a bad knee and has had both his hips surgically repaired in the past. He also had a stent placed into his heart during the 2003 play-offs and suffered from kidney stones this season.
But the lure of another three-peat must have been too much for Jackson who will coach for his 20th season in the NBA next year and have the chance to win his 12th NBA title. No matter what happens next year though it will be his last.
“It'll be the last stand for me, and I hope a grand one," he said.
The Lakers did not disclose the terms of Jackson’s new deal but Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak was delighted the 65-year-old decided to stay for one last year.
"We're extremely pleased that Phil has decided to return with this most recent championship, we've now won five titles in the 10 years he's been our head coach and have been to the finals in seven of those 10 years, which is amazing. He's not only the best coach for this team, but quite simply the best coach in the history of the NBA,” Kupchak said.
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