Shaw and Jackson A Possibility for Lakers?
There is a scenario in which former Lakers coach Phil Jackson would consider returning for a third stint with the team, sources said late Friday, but it will require executive VP Jim Buss once again relinquishing the organizational reins – and this time handing them to Jackson, rather than back to GM Mitch Kupchak.
Jackson, while romantically involved with Lakers executive Jeanie Buss, has long had a strained relationship with her brother Jim. When Jackson’s last contract with the team expired following the 2010-11 season, Jim was granted authority over the team’s basketball operations by his father, Jerry, and seemed committed to shifting away from the team’s methodology under Jackson, including his Triangle offense.
That offense almost assuredly would return if Jackson were granted authority and/or Shaw, a long-time assistant coach of Jackson during his Lakers’ tenure, were hired. Sources say there is a scenario in which both Jackson and Shaw would be hired, with Shaw as the head coach mentored by Jackson.
Jackson proposed a similar arrangement to the Portland Trail Blazers at one point last summer, sources say, with former assistant Kurt Rambis as his head-coach protegè and Jackson overseeing basketball operations, but the Blazers declined.
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