Phil Jackson Interview Relevent to Pistons Search For Head Coach
By Tony Fischer
Apr 5, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Phil Jackson court side at game between the New York Knicks and the Milwaukee Bucks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jim O
Phil Jackson has been promoting his new book “11 Rings” and doing the usual talk show circuit. Most of the time these types of promotional tours are 15 minutes of yuck fest with the shows host. But in the case of Phil Jackson’s interview on the Tonight Show he revealed many things that are relevent to the Detroit Pistons coaching search.
Lakers Snub
He explained clearly why he did not take the Laker’s coaching job when they fired Mike Brown six games into the season. Apparently he was offered the job but when he asked for a few days to think about it the Lakers hired Mike Dantoni. Asked later if he would consider a return to the Lakers as Head Coach for next season. He said “no, I think I’ve had my shot there but I have people in mind that would be good for that job.” There is a lot in this comment. One of the Candidates for the Pistons Head Coaching job is Brian Shaw.
SEE RELATED STORY: PISTONS HEAD COACH SEARCH RECAP
Shaw was Jackson’s lead assistant in L.A. If Jackson has people he would recommend does that mean he would recommend Shaw for the Lakers job as well? I think it is a safe assumption that given the choice, Shaw would choose L.A. based on the success he had there in the past. Does this mean that Joe Dumars can cross Brain Shaw off the Pistons Head Coach wish list?
Seattle Franchise
Phil Jackson also revealed that he had a “serious talk” with the group attempting to buy the Sacramento Kings. Apparently he was considering the G.M. job with the team if they were going to move to Seattle. Now that the team is staying in Sacramento he “won’t be doing that job in Sacramento”.
The critics would tell you that Phil Jackson would never go to a team that was rebuilding. But if he was considering a Sacramento Franchise that has been a wreck ever since the Chris Webber era, why wouldn’t he consider the Pistons who actually have won a championship in this century.
Brooklyn Nets
When asked if he turned down the Brooklyn Nets job Phil Jackson said, “I just told them I wasn’t interested in coaching, I am interested in doing the front office.” This is also revealing as to the path Phil Jackson may be taking in the future. obviously not open to taking a role on the sidelines, if the Pistons are going to bring the Zen Master into the fold, they are going to have to offer him the general manager position.
See Phil Jackson’s Full Interview On The Tonight Show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnkYjFRYk8M
This is first time Phil Jackson has spoken about the issues surrounding his future with the NBA. Clearly he wants back in. And he wants the challenge of building a team as its General Manager. With Joe Dumars in the hot seat and Tom Gores yet to publically endorse Dumars as the General Manager for next season, could Phil Jackson be a fit in Detroit? Tell us what you think.