Phil Jackson consulted by the Lakers for the future coach: hello LeBron

A few weeks following having fired their coach Frank Vogel, the Lakers continue to seek his successor for next season. The Californian franchise wants to take its time so as not to get stuck in this obviously important choice, and for that it has even decided to call on a former big name in the house: a certain Phil Jackson.

A month and a half ago, we learned that the Zen Master still had relations with the franchise where he won five NBA titles on the bench. This is confirmed today. According to Adrian Wojnarowski ofESPN, Phil Jackson is actually involved in the search for the coach who will succeed Frank Vogel during the offseason. As soon as we heard the news, we mightn’t help but have a little thought for LeBron James, who we know is not the type to spend his vacation with Jax in Montana. Do you remember this episode at the end of 2016 when Philou said the word “posse” to describe the King’s friends and partners? (Maverick Carter, Rich Paul, Randy Mims and Co.)? As a reminder, the former Lakers coach had used the term in the context of LBJ’s departure to Cleveland two years earlier, saying that his former Heat team no longer needed to worry regarding the “special treatment” that might be asked for. LeBron and his posse. BronBron did not like the use of this term at all, which can have a negative or even racist connotation in the eyes of the African-American community. And we imagine that even six years later, James has not forgotten. It’s a rather interesting dynamic in the end because we know that LeBron is also used to weighing in management decisions, both in terms of transfer and in terms of the choice of coach when necessary. It’s all the more interesting when you know that the end of James’ contract is approaching, he who can become a free agent in 2023 if he refuses his contract extension this summer.

If we leave aside for two seconds the Phil Jackson – LeBron James relationship, the involvement of the Zen Master aka the coach who popularized the triangle attack has something to ask regarding other aspects. Will he ask a geometry test to all the candidates who will pass by the office of the boss of basketball operations Rob Pelinka? Will meditation skills be required of those seeking the position? Perhaps, in any case, you should know that this is not the first time that the Lakers have called on Jackson in the search for a new coach. This was indeed already the case in 2019 when Frank Vogel was hired to take the place of Luke Walton. Alongside Kurt Rambis (member of the front office), Jeanie Buss (owner) and Pelinka (general manager), Phil Jackson will now try to determine who is best placed to take over this job filled with pressure. Among the names that we have heard recently in connection with the Lakers, there was that of Nick Nurse, but Masai Ujiri has clearly closed the door to this option, and that of Darvin Ham who will meet him with the Californian franchise for a maintenance. Mark Jackson, Quin Snyder and a few others were also mentioned.

Phil Jackson involved in the search for the new coach of the Lakers, we do not know why but we feel that it will lead to something quite epic on the side of Los Angeles. At the same time, it was the circus all season in the City of Angels, it may well continue a little longer.

Source texte : ESPN

???????????????????????????? oh damn he must be happy LeBron! https://t.co/bwdrsgSyyA

— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) May 3, 2022