In the aftermath of Phil Jackson signing with the New York Knicks, the Lakers brass has had to answer for the team not bringing the 11-time NBA champion back in some capacity.
The one person that has taken on the task of addressing the fans’ concerns has been the one person closest to Jackson, Jeanie Buss.
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Buss has done the rounds on TWC SportsNet and now on 710 ESPN radio to talk about Jackson leaving for the Knicks and the current direction of the Lakers organization. Jeanie spoke with John Ireland and Steve Mason of ESPN radio on Thursday and let it be known that Jackson simply wasn’t needed via Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters:
Jeanie Buss: "I think people need to understand it ISN'T just Phil. They don't need anybody else. Everythings covered." (on @ESPNLA710)
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) March 20, 2014
With GM Mitch Kupchak and Jim Buss running the basketball operations, Jackson wasn’t needed unless one of the two would’ve stepped down. Obviously, that wasn’t going to happen and nor should it.
Unfortunately for Buss, Jackson desired to get back to work and the Knicks were offering $60 million over the next five years. An enormous offer to take over a franchise in which he won two titles while playing in New York. An offer that was literally too good to pass up on.
With the Lakers unable to facilitate Jackson’s need to get back to work, the Hall of Famer making the move to sign with the Knicks makes a lot of sense. It’s unfortunate for the Lakers, but now it’s time to move on and focus on the future of the franchise rather than being unable to bring back Jackson.
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