New York Knicks Rumors: Could Phil Jackson reunite with Jeanie Buss and Lakers?
By Nick Ziegler
Recent New York Knicks rumors are regarding the door still being cracked open that Phil Jackson could one day reunite with Jeanie Buss and the Lakers.
Lakers’ President Jeanie Buss recently appeared on BleacherReport radio to talk about the retirement of Kobe Bryant, but she also commented on the New York Knicks’ success in the second year with Jackson in control.
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“I’m happy for him,’’ Buss said of the Knicks getting off to a respectable 8-10 start. “I think he works hard. He took a job that’s difficult. He moved to New York. That part’s tough is that we’re not together. He’s finding satisfaction and fulfillment in the job. I wish him luck. The best thing would be if the Lakers and Knicks played in the playoffs because that would mean we’re both in The Finals. I wish him luck. I think he’s enjoying what he’s doing. He’s fully focused.
Buss made it pretty clear that she wanted Jackson to have a front-office position with the Lakers, but the power struggle between her and her brother eventually led to Jackson having to look elsewhere.
“I’m not going to say that was not always my hope at some point,” Buss said of Jackson having a Lakers front-office position. “But it was made clear to me by my brother [Jim] and [GM] Mitch Kupchak, we didn’t need any more voices involved with the Lakers, that they felt they had everything under control. I respect that but had to respect Phil’s desire to work again. He had to pursue whatever made him happy.
“Would I have preferred to do it together? Of course, but I’m happy he’s doing something that makes him happy.’’
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It has been very good news for the Knicks that Jim Buss and Kupchak thought they had it handled in Los Angeles, as New York was able to sign a President that appears to be able to bring a winning culture back to the city.
Jackson and Buss own a home together in Los Angeles, but with Jackson being in New York, the two seeing each other has been difficult.
“We’re not the first couple that has been bicoastal. We try to see each other, but it’s tough. In terms of the entertainment business, we’re not the first long-distance couple.’’
Jackson has turned the Knicks around after an awful season lat year, as he gutted a good chunk of the team, and then had a great first draft in New York. The selections of Kristaps Porzingis and Jerian Grant have both paid dividends already, with Porzingis becoming the savior of the Knicks just a few months into the season.
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On the West Coast, the Lakers are struggling immensely, as Bryant looks like a shell of himself, and the Lakers look like they will have one of the worst records in basketball again. With Jeanie in Los Angeles, the possibility of Jackson leaving the Knicks before his five-year deal is up is certainly a possibility.
Jackson has done a great job getting the Knicks to be respectable again this season, and for Knicks fans, they better hope the allure of his girlfriend and Los Angeles doesn’t make him leave early.