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Phil Jackson

[URLhttps://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1824658]ESPN - Phil Jackson has stepped down as coach of the Lakers[/URL] and that may not be the only big news out of LA. Shaquille O'Neal, angered by Laker GM Mitch Kupchak's comments that the Lakers main priority in the off-season was to re-sign Kobe Bryant, might be packing his bags as well.

In another article on ESPN, O'Neal says this comes as no surprise and he was expecting to leave.

As a lifelong Laker-fan, I know there is anger among Laker fans that O'Neal didn't give enough of himself during the finals, particularly considering that he was in double figures in rebounds twice in 5 games (and one time of the two times he only had 11), and that he comes into each new season out of shape and ill-prepared for the new season. Part of O'Neal's low rebound output in the Finals certainly has to do with Karl Malone's injury. Malone was the heart and soul of the Lakers this year and when he went down with the injury in game 2, the Laker faithful got nervous. But it was obvious that the wecanturnitonanytimewewantto-itis stems from Shaq.

It will be an interesting off-season in LA.

Jackson Phil

These people do not waste anytime huh? One loss and already Phil is moving on? I wonder where he will go now? As for Shaq I personally think he was over-rated, but that is just my opinion.

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How come Shaq always seems to take the bulk of the blame when a team goes bad? In Orlando, all he did was dominate and take the Magic to the Finals. With the Lakers, all he did was dominate again and lead them to 3 championships. If I recall, he was the leading scorer for the Lakers in the recent finals with Detroit. Does everyone honestly think Kobe would be as good without Shaq? Why doesnt anyone point the finger at Kobe? I hope Shaq leaves and Kobe is the only star left on the Lakers and we'll see how far they go. Bring Shaq and Phil to the Knicks

Jackson Phil

I don't think Shaq takes the majority of the blame at all. At least not here in LA he doesn't. Alot of people seem to think he's perfect, but long time Laker fans admit that Shaq always comes into the season out of shape and he plays with this attitude that the season isn't important, only the playoffs. That led to the idea that the Lakers could turn it on whenever they wanted to. The problem with splitting Shaq and Kobe up is that in the long run it is probably going to be a bad move for both of them. I think a few years down the road, they will both wish they had never split.

It becomes somewhat less of a risk for Kobe (assuming all goes well with his legal problems) because Shaq at 32 is much, much closer to retirement that Kobe is. Kobe is young enough where a team has time to build a championship caliber team around him, especially if that team is the Lakers and they cut Shaq's 28 million dollar salary.

BTW, the scuttlebutt out of LA is that the closest deal in the works is a three team deal that would involve Indiana, Orlando and LA with LA getting Jermaine O'Neal and Shaq returning to Orlando, but this early in the game, it's too early to tell. Most Laker fans hope that Shaq can put this behind him and that Kobe can be resigned, the Lakers sign Rudy Tomjanovich to coach and we can make another run at it next year, but we'll see.

Jackson Phil

I would find it hard to see Shaq going back to Orlando after the way he was treated when he played there. I lived in Orlando at the time and they basically ran him out of town, and proclaimed Penny Hardaway their hero. All because of his free throw problems. Now 3 rings later I would hope the city realizes how foolish they were, and it would seem the Lakers are doing the same, even though he is older and more prone to injury and/or retirement. Plus, if he went to Orlando, he would be rebuilding a team and I dont think that's what he wants. He wants to be on a contender that can give him that 4th ring so that he can retire. I say send him to the Knicks, we could sure use him

Phil Jackson

PHIL JACKSON SAYS DECISION ON RETURN IMMIMENT

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) -- Phil Jackson expects to decide in "another day or
two" whether he will return to coaching the Los Angeles Lakers or some other
NBA team next season.
Ref. https://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/bask...g.ap/index.html

Phil Jackson

I would love to see Jackson come to coach the Knicks. I think it will make a world of difference for that team, as they have the raw talent to succeed. I would be utterly disgusted if he decided to go back to the Lakers, especially after what happened between him and Kobe, and the way they treated Shaq. If he doesn't go the Knicks, I hope he at least picks a team other than the Lakers. Or just stay retired

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JACKSON RETURNS TO LAKERS AS HEAD COACH

Phil and Kobe, together again.
Ref. https://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/bask...kson/index.html