Phil Jackson said this week that it’s unlikely he’ll ever coach in the NBA again, and he reiterated that point and touched on many others in a conversation with Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times. He has spoken with owners of teams around the league about a front office role, and he told Bresnahan he envisions serving as more of a consultant than a GM. Wherever he winds up, he made it clear that it won’t be with the Lakers, even though his comments suggest at least some of his blood runs purple-and-gold, perhaps a nod to his fiancee and Lakers co-owner Jeanie Buss. The entire piece is worth reading, especially for Lakers fans, but we’ll share a few highlights here:
On returning to the Lakers in any capacity:
“At the present time I don’t see how that would work out with the way the organization is set up right now. There would have to be some seismic shift.”
On the Lakers’ flirtation with him during last year’s coaching search:
“I know it was difficult for Jeanie because I wasn’t putting my hat in the ring and they asked me to come and interview for the job, of which I think they had no intention of actually following through. I think those things stuck at the core of Laker die-hard fans.”
On his feelings toward the Lakers:
“I want people to know that I really want to support the Lakers and I’m here to support Jeanie in her effort to keep this franchise vital and vibrant. I have every intention of trying to help them move forward.”