Yes, but have you seen him recently on the Lakers bench? He doesn't look all there, at all. I know he's Zen and all that, but he looks semi-doddering. (Sorry, Phil!)

Jack, I think it was the Trade for
Pau Gasol that got LA the ring. Not Phil.

"What they did in Memphis is beyond comprehension,” said Popovich. “There should be a trade committee that can scratch all trades that make no sense. I just wish I had been on a trade committee that oversees NBA trades. I’d like to elect myself to that committee. I would have voted no to the L.A. trade.”

Guess Pop feels a bit threatened — as well he should. The Spurs might be the defending champions, but now the Lakers provide some serious competition.

But Mr Jackson has married into the LA family. Have I missed rumors of familial distress?

I don't see this happening. It's like that Mayberry episode where they think the Hollywood movie company's coming to town.

Phil Jackson? What's he ever done?

"The Spurs might be the defending champions, but now the Lakers provide some serious competition."

That's true, the Spurs might be the defending champs...just not in the NBA.

Disgusting!

That's cold when the daughter gets dis-enfranchised.

Does Phil have some fingers growing out if his shoulder?

I'd rather get Rick Adelman back and thus am praying for more Houston injuries to get him fired there. Obviously, that's bad ju-ju, since we're getting more Blazer injuries, and with Przybilla out, the season is over.

Even if Jackson didn't have family ties to the Lakers, I can't see him coming here. Portland is too small town for him. On the other hand, Paul Allen could make a tempting offer. And the current Blazers seem to be a fairly intelligent group, particularly Roy, Aldridge, Miller, Batum, Rudy, Przybilla and maybe Oden and Bayless. Thus, they might be able to get the triangle offense better than, say, guys like Zack Randolph.

Yet on the other hand, for all his faults, Zack has had 42 rebounds and over 60 points in his last two games. I doubt LaMarcus will ever put up those kinds of numbers.

The Blazers may be battling Memphis for a playoff spot this year. And I like the Grizzlies' chances in that competition.

Me thinks there's an NBA squad in Minneapolis. And considering he's actually FROM North Dakota (played ball in Williston and then at the University of North Dakota), I think proximity says he should consider coaching the Wolves first. Kurt Rambis is close...but he aint Phil.

http://www.und.nodak.edu/history/images/1965_PhilJackson01.jpg

Or Gregg Popovich. Both Popovich and Jackson have a lot in common:

1. Multiple Championships with a single team

2. At least 2 All Star caliber/Hall of Fame players during each championship.

Popovich has had David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. Jackson has had Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, and Pau Gasol.

3. Big Shot Bob AKA Robert Horry.

I know all the hate on Phil comes from LAL haters. I can understand the hate of the most storied NBA franchise with the currently largest payroll.

I feel the same way about the NY mothereffing Yankees who have year-after-year posted the largest payroll in MLB, call themselves the "Bronx Bombers" when it is more like the Manhattan Moneymakers attending their games, and if they could, they would buy the World Series if it was allowed.

Alas, I could talk for days about the need for a salary cap in MLB, but that is another topic for another day.

I believe Phil Jackson is from Williston, North Dakota.

He was born in Deer Lodge, Montana, which is closer to Portland than to Minneapolis. His family moved to Williston before he got to high school. These days he is often seen in Montana in the summertime.