LA Sports Blog: PJ
| 23
|
by LASportsblog
By: Jeff Girouard
Though it was announced earlier in the month, Phil Jackson officially inked a 2 year extension today. I have absolutely no problem with the terms of this deal. $24 million over two seasons is hardly breaking the bank for the most successful and proven head coach in the history of professional basketball. That’s not an opinion by the way. Nine coaching titles in the free agency era is not only astounding, its conceivable that no one will ever come close. I’m just waiting for the PJ incarnation of that Adam Vinatieri spot for ESPN. The ad will feature Rick Adelman and Mike Dunleavy Sr. waiting in line, arms akimbo, looking on with chagrin as Phil plucks off his 10 (9 as a coach 1 as a player) rings. Do they give rings for CBA championships? If they do he’s got one of those too. This is the guy that took the bloody Albany Patroons to the ‘ship.
The deal also suggests Phil senses something special with this group. You remember Red Auerbach’s transcendent quasi-jab suggesting Phil is merely a “closer” for teams loaded with talent trying to get over the hump. There is a part of him that wants to build a winner with young players and he’s got a great group in L.A. Phil recently questioned Andrew Bynum’s work ethic, but that was before Drew dropped 20 and 11 on the Warriors on Sunday. In fact, Bynum was instrumental in slowing the Golden State fast break, pounding the ball down low and dominating the paint on the defensive end, to the tune of 5 blocked shots. Undoubtedly, he sees the potential in this kid and its not like Phil hasn’t ever used the media to motivate his better players. It’s a complement really.
The only downside for Laker fans, may be the probable/inevitable departure of Brian Shaw and Kurt Rambis. Both were courted by teams with head coaching vacancies this past summer. In fact Rambis was considered a front runner for the Sacramento gig, until Reggie Theus swooped in with promises of curfews and cell phone bans. Its unreasonable to believe that either would stick around 2 more years just to take over Phil’s lazy boy on the Laker sideline. Come on this is the NBA: “Where the coaching carousel happens.”
Stay tuned for the full Laker Report this weekend.
