Laker owner says Bryant would welcome Jackson back: report
March 6, 2005

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Los Angeles owner Jerry Buss said Phil Jackson is a candidate for the Lakers' job and he believes the ex-coach and Kobe Bryant could get along even after Jackson described Bryant as "uncoachable" in his recent tell-all book.

"I think Kobe would welcome back Phil," Buss told the Los Angeles Daily News on Friday.

"Kobe's main desire is to win a championship, to play basketball and win. And he knows his chances with Phil are increased substantially."

ADVERTISEMENT
Writing in his book "The Last Season", Jackson painted Bryant as a selfish soul who took liberties to an extreme and caused dissention in the dressing room.

Jackson wrote that he tried unsuccessfully a number of times have Bryant traded and that the deteriorating relationship between superstars Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal was more than a philosophical clash with O'Neal at one point barking: "I'd like to pound the chump".

"As far as Phil's concerned. I think he cleared the air with his book," Buss said. "I think they are both prepared to get back together, if that's what turns out to be.

"He is probably the best coach available. He may well want to come back. I am just speculating because I have not asked him that question."

The Lakers suffered a disappointing playoff defeat to the Detroit Pistons in June and then purged popular coach Jackson and traded former league MVP O'Neal to Miami.

Jackson returned to the US recently from a 40-day vacation in New Zealand and Australia. The newspaper reported that he met with Buss on Wednesday. But Buss said they did not discuss the Los Angeles' coaching vacancy.

Jackson, who coached the Lakers for five seasons, also visited the club's practice facility in a south Los Angeles suburb this week.

"I had dinner with Phil but we did not discuss basketball," Buss said. "We haven't addressed the issue yet but perhaps we will."

Buss went on to say said he feels sorry for Bryant but is relieved that his star player has settled his civil suit with a former Colorado cheerleader and hotel worker.

"I feel really sorry for him," Buss said. "What he has been carrying around with him for a couple of years, it would have just buried most people."

The sexual assault case against Bryant was unexpectedly halted on September 1.

Buss has no regrets about trading Shaquille O'Neal.

O'Neal, who feuded with Bryant during their time together, has led the Heat to the best record in the Eastern Conference. The Bryant-led Lakers are barely above .500 and struggling for a playoff spot in the West.

"I would do exactly the same thing. I am just very happy for him (O'Neal). I would like to see him get a couple more rings."

Updated on Saturday, Mar 5, 2005 7:31 pm EST