Phil Jackson says he won't coach the Lakers anytime soon

[Clipper Nation]

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-jackson-we-want-phil-is-not-going-to-happen-20130111,0,2549478.story


Sorry, Lakers fans. You can't have Phil.
Despite the reappearance of chants for Phil Jackson (http://www.latimes.com/topic/sports/basketball/phil-jackson-PEHST001003.topic) at Lakers games, Mike D'Antoni (http://www.latimes.com/topic/sports/basketball/mike-dantoni-PESPT0000018596.topic) is still their coach. And will be in the future.
" 'WE WANT PHIL' is not going to happen," Jackson said in an e-mail to The Times. Mired in a five-game losing streak, the Lakers have D'Antoni under contract for two more seasons and $8 million. Mike Brown (http://www.latimes.com/topic/sports/basketball/mike-brown-%28basketball%29-PESPT000011565.topic), fired in November after a 1-4 start, is owed an additional $6 million after this season.
That's $14 million for D'Antoni and Brown until 2015.
To hire Jackson now would substantially add to that total ($8 million annually? $10 million?), especially after he was snubbed so publicly in November, to the disappointment of countless Lakers fans.
But it's irrelevant after Lakers executive Jim Buss told ESPN (http://www.latimes.com/topic/sports/espn-%28tv-network%29-HOC792.topic) 710 on Thursday he still completely backed D'Antoni.
The "We Want Phil" chant reappeared last Sunday at Staples Center (http://www.latimes.com/topic/sports/staples-center-PLREC000037101.topic) against Denver after being a mainstay at two Lakers home games after Brown was fired.
The Lakers (15-20) play Oklahoma City (27-8) on Friday at Staples Center.



:lmao :lmao :lmao

[Cry Havoc]

Gotta suck to be D'antoni and hear those chants. :lol

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

Phil's no dummy. Unless he's hurting for money there's no good reason to return when his legacy is only becoming more polished and shiny with every loss without him.

[NRHector]

i want to see phil coach the bobcats

[Chris]

I don't see why they're chanting for Phil, he got their ass swept by dem Mavs last time he suited up for L.A.

[Kidd K]

Of course he won't. He only wanted to coach the Lakers before because he though he'd be able to coast to a title with their current roster. Now that he sees they aren't championship quality, he wants nothing to do with them.

No surprise. Lakers don't need Phil anyway, he isn't going to do any magical stuff the other guys won't. Best to hire someone who give sa shit and will coach the team into the future, not just try to cement his legacy with 1-2 seasons with a contract similar to a max NBA player salary.

[lefty]

If Phil says he wont coach the Lakers, that means he will coach the Lakers

[Relevancy]

Phil's no dummy. Unless he's hurting for money there's no good reason to return when his legacy is only becoming more polished and shiny with every loss without him.Here's the thing tho, wouldn't he want to prove what a quality coach he is by returning back and making them win again? His not getting younger anytime soon, even if he eats quality food with that account of his.

[callo1]

Not enough talent for Phillip tbh, that's why he quit when he did. Phillip will be back when he finds a loaded team that is already put together...that is his M.O.

[Clipper Nation]

It's clear that he's patiently waiting for Vinny to choke in the playoffs tbh....

[dunkman]

If Phil says he wont coach the Lakers, that means he will coach the Lakers

That's right, only that the price will go up.