The Los Angeles Lakers have begun their search to replace Frank Vogel. It's a titanic decision, as whomever they hire will ideally oversee the final seasons of LeBron James' championship window.
We know a few things about the coaching search so far. At exit interviews, Rob Pelinka said the Lakers want a coach before the June 23rd NBA Draft. He said the franchise will seek somebody with a “strong voice” that can command stars and vets.
That vague criterion and LeBron's personal history with coaches (see: David Blatt, Luke Walton) would indicate that the Lakers — who, despite a 33-49 2021-22 campaign, will have championship aspirations — would prefer a coach with previous experience steering an NBA team. Yet, besides the many rumored candidates — Quin Snyder, Doc Rivers, Mark Jackson, Nick Nurse, Mike Brown, Steve Clifford, etc. — the Lakers will also interview Milwaukee Bucks assistant Darvin Ham and may consider Utah Jazz assistant Ryan Jensen, too (Jared Dudley? Rajon Rondo?).
We know the Lakers like to keep it in the family. They tend to hire executives with ties to the team (Bill Sharman, Jerry West, Mitch Kupchak, Magic Johnson, Pelinka), and Jeanie still works closely with decades-old pals Kurt and Linda Rambis. Recent coaching hires have included ex-players Walton and Byron Scott. Vogel spent a season as a Lakers scout. (Of the above names, Snyder, Ham, and Brown have worked for Los Angeles.)
That brings us to Phil Jackson, who coached the Lakers for 11 seasons and was engaged to Jeanie Buss for part of that time.
Phil had no ties to the organization when he was hired in 1999 to shepherd the Kobe Bryant-Shaquille O'Neal squads and the drama that came with it. He did so Zen-masterfully (regrettable book aside), winning three championships, then two more after Shaq departed.
Over the past decade, Phil's reputation has taken a hit, primarily from his disastrous tenure as president of the New York Knicks from 2014-17. He engaged in a tense breakup with Carmelo Anthony, made an unfortunate “posse” remark that infuriated LeBron, hired unqualified Derek Fisher (then Kurt Rambis as his interim), and insisted on imparting his antiquated Triangle Offense. He made a bunch of silly Twitter typos.
In March, as the Lakers dealt with locker room issues and the losses mounted, Jackson made a rare cameo at Crypto.com Arena. His appearance ignited reporting that Jackson had been actively advising Jeanie on basketball matters throughout the season, including how to deal with the flammable Russell Westbrook situation. That report from The Athletic came weeks after Jeanie said she still consults Magic, who proved similarly incapable of running a front office.
Then, on Tuesday, we got this update from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski:
“This is very much a committee in L.A. putting together this coaching search. And one person who is certainly significantly involved in this process is Phil Jackson. He’s got a voice in this. He did last time when they hired Frank Vogel. He and Kurt Rambis — (Frank) had been somebody they had considered with the Knicks before hiring Derek Fisher in New York. I think Phil Jackson’s voice is here…They’re moving deliberately. They’re not doing seven or eight or nine candidates all at once. They’re kind of going down a list and taking their time with it. I think that process is going to take a bit.”
"One person who is significantly involved in this process is Phil Jackson. He's got a voice in this. He did last time when they hired Frank Vogel. You know, Kurt Rambis [as well]."
– @wojespn on the Lakers' coaching search process.
(via @_Talkin_NBA)pic.twitter.com/1MVN2BLCKK
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 3, 2022
Naturally, Lakers fans reacted to this report as they do with each rumor linking Mark Jackson or Doc to the Lakers: utter panic. However, here are a few reasons not to jump to conclusions and overreact — which, fortunately, is not the nature of social media, anyway.
3) Phil is not in charge of anything
I get it: It's easy to take a report seriously when Woj makes it the subject of a TV spot. But sometimes advisement can be just that. Jackson does not work with the Lakers in any official capacity. He isn't sitting in on coaches' meetings, giving lectures on the Triangle, nor crunching sign-and-trade scenarios with Pelinka. We think.
2) Vogel was a good hire
Furthermore, Jackson was reportedly consulted in the Lakers' previous coaching search, which resulted in Vogel coming aboard (after Monty Williams and Ty Lue rejected the Lakers' low-ball offers). All three were smart targets, and Vogel delivered a title.
Yes, the decision to hire Fisher (then Rambis) was misguided, but those coaches represented avatars for the Triangle. Phil is surely aware that whomever the Lakers tap will not be running his beloved system, nor does he have the power to impart it. Right?
One more thing: Phil is an important mentor to Nurse. Could he help Los Angeles pry him away from Toronto?
1) Phil is…the greatest NBA coach ever?
Phil was not the best person to run the Knicks. At 76, he's not the best person to coach an NBA team in 2023. However, he is undeniably the most prolific coach in the history of pro basketball and led a Lakers team (featuring Trevor Ariza) to a title (and then another in 2010). This wasn't 50 years ago.
There's no reason to believe Jackson isn't a useful resource when it comes to coaching. Considering his specialty was managing egos and stars, his wisdom should be somewhat valuable to the Lakers brass. In fact, as long as they get along amicably (which is sweet, frankly), Jeanie would be remiss not to get his two cents.
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