Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson will put off retirement for at least another year as he tries to chase another title with the Lakers. Health issues had previously caused Jackson to be on the fence for whether or not returning for another season would be a wise idea. Ultimately, Jackson felt as though he was in good enough shape to go for another season, and the great opportunity to add yet another title to his resume was too much to pass up.
With one of the most dominant lineups in the league, and Kobe Bryant still at the top of his game, a championship for the Lakers next year would give Jackson his fourth three-peat. Jackson will likely go down as one of the greatest NBA coaches of all time, as he already has 11 championships under his belt between his stretches in Chicago and Los Angeles. The next Lakers’ title would also tie them with the Boston Celtics for total number of championships at 17, another piece of motivation for Jackson in the modern resurgence of a classic rivalry.
This is fantastic news for Lakers fans, as the return of Jackson provides a sense of stability and confidence going into next season. Each player of the team knows where they stand with Jackson – they know his expectations and quirks. By bypassing the transitional period of learning the system of a new coach (and the political jostling that can come with such a change) the players can hone their focus on their unified goal of winning another title. As a proven commodity, and a master at managing roles, responsibilities and egos, having Jackson back is critical for another championship run for the Lakers.
Do you think the return of Jackson shifts the Lakers’ chances of winning a title one way or another?
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I feel sorry for whoever coaches that team after Phil Jackson.
Good point. Not only will he be unparalleled by his successor, but the Lakers roster will generally become less effective with age. It will be a tough gig to take on, that’s for sure.