Sources: Bulls reaching out to ex-coach Jackson

[amjad1989]

The Chicago Bulls (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=chi) have reached out to Phil Jackson through back channels to gauge his interest in returning to the franchise he won six NBA titles with, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation.
There has been no direct contact between Bulls officials and Jackson, according to the sources, but people close to both parties have spoken and come away with the belief that Jackson would be open to a potential reunion in Chicago next season.




Gar Forman, the Bulls' general manager, refused to comment on the club's coaching search when reached Monday night by telephone.
Chicago could be on the verge of its biggest offseason since the Michael Jordan (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1035) Era, when Jordan and Jackson led the club to double three-peats from 1991-1993 and 1996-1998.
With roughly $23 million to spend in free agency, the Bulls are one of the more probable landing spots for LeBron James (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1966). James is intrigued by the possibility of playing with Derrick Rose (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3456) and Joakim Noah (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3224), according to sources, and the return of Jackson would only make the Bulls that much more attractive to the Cleveland Cavaliers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=cle)' two-time MVP.


By Chris Broussard
ESPN The Magazine

[lefty]

Yay

[Destro]

Does Doc Rivers go to LA?

[Baseline]

I'd love to see Phil and LeBron in Chicago.

After the Celtics spank LA in the Final, I think Phil will walk.

[ducks]

phil jackson does not want the paycut lakers are thinking of giving him

[Giuseppe]

They'll let him keep the money at $12 million per, but, he'll have to win the last game played next month.

[NewJerSpur]

LeBron will stay in Cleveland, and cry at the presser after his deal gets signed in talking about how much he loves the city/state. Wonder if they go after Amare?

[MiamiHeat]

holy fuck

that would be awesome. Phil back to his real team, not that rent-a-coach Lakers situation

Phil coaching LeBron on the Bulls. that would be fucking sweet. LeBron needs a good coach to help put him in better winning situations.

I will be a happy NBA fan if this happens.

[cobbler]

Not going to happen.

[4>0rings]

I seriously hope Jackson goes to Chicago along with LeBron. Leaving Kobe used and abused with Phil moving on to his next superstar. The book he would write about Kobe throwing him under the bus would be epic.

[namlook]

Phil's girlfriend is part of the Lakers management and the daughter of the owner. The Bulls think they have a chance? :lmao

[eisfeld]

Phil's girlfriend is part of the Lakers management and the daughter of the owner. The Bulls think they have a chance? :lmao

I see only reasons for him to leave the Lakers in your statement... poor guy.

[BRHornet45]

sons that nappy headed hoe Phil Jackson will go wherever the super stars are. Most overrated, joke of a coach in professional sports history.

[bostonguy]

LeBron will stay in Cleveland, and cry at the presser after his deal gets signed in talking about how much he loves the city/state. Wonder if they go after Amare?

Cavs have no cap space or tradeable assets.

Edit: you are talking about the Bulls. My bad.

[NewJerSpur]

Cavs have no cap space or tradeable assets.

Interesting. Thought I heard they could sign another max player outside of LeBron....perhaps that's one of the other teams vying for him. Wonder what happens with Shaq, Big Z, and Jamison?

[duncan228]

The ESPN piece has been updated, hit the link for it.

Nets Also Have Inquired About Phil Jackson (http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/The_Baseline/entry/view/67124/nets_also_have_inquired_about_phil_jackson)
SportingNews

The Bulls aren’t the only team trying to lure Phil Jackson away from the Lakers. ESPN.com (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5216961) reports the Nets are interested in making Jackson their coach, as well.

Jackson's first coaching experience came with the Nets from 1978-80, when he was a player-assistant under Kevin Loughery.

Like the Bulls, the Nets have not made direct contact with Jackson but have made back-channel inquiries into his interest, according to the report.

The Nets acknowledge that landing Jackson is a long shot, according to ESPN.com, but new owner Mikhail Prokhorov is determined to make a splashy coaching hire.

Jackson said recently that he is 90 percent certain he'd return to the Lakers if he coached next season.