Zen Master officially back with Lakers

[cyanide]

I'm still surprised at that move by Phil. I don't know what he gains by doing this, but I do expect the Lakers to be better next year... but I doubt they'll make it far in the playoffs - if they make it at all.

[air gordon]

I disagree, now if Phil had taken over 3 years prior you would be correct but the Bulls were headed in the right direction and had taken the Pistons to a game 7 prior to Phil taken over so what you are saying in that regards holds no water. Also, Jordan had no real jump shot when he came into the league but his first step is was amazing. Same with Vince, he never showed in college he could shoot but that first step in a league like the NBA where zone used to be illegal is a dream for players like that so in that regards I sorta agree with you.

yep- gotta agree w/galvatron there. phil does deserve some credit...so do the players. they were so close to getting to the finals

lol horace grant made oakley expendable. oakley can only dream to be part of the 'doberman' defense. lol cartwright was invaluable. if not for his points in the paint, then for his sharp elbows and his 'veteran' style defense he was allowed to play by the refs

[Fresh8]

Great to hear Phil Jax is back with the Lakers!

It's gonna be a roller coaster season this one ahead... the one before was too... wat can i say? LA loves its drama!

Jackson, I am expecting him to step in and get his team to play better defence. That is what the team needs! And I see him as the only coach who can tame the Kobster (As Jackal has said)

[Fenix]

Wow. THey interviewed Shaq on Sportcenter about the Jax's move, and when asked about Kobe Bryant, Shaq replied " Who? I'm not good with names, I dunno who you're talking about"

Sorry, but I find that a rather idiotic statement.

Phil is obviously on a task to prove he can actually build a team, not only take it to the finals.

[Jackal_]

Wow. THey interviewed Shaq on Sportcenter about the Jax's move, and when asked about Kobe Bryant, Shaq replied " Who? I'm not good with names, I dunno who you're talking about"

Sorry, but I find that a rather idiotic statement.

Phil is obviously on a task to prove he can actually build a team, not only take it to the finals.

I don't think it's one bit idiotic. Maybe a little disrespectful if you really care but Shaq blames the downfall of the Lakers right at Kobe. Like he should. Kobe was the reason why, Malone, Shaq and Jackson left. He must of had some problems man. I'd be pissed off too if one player makes all these people leave. The media allows the players to release their aggression towards other players. That's their ONLY way of getting their aggression out into the public. If it wasn't for the media Shaq would have a huge "I hate Kobe, btw he's a rapist" sign on his front lawn. So maybe you might think it's idiotic to say that but I think it's also a motivating factor for Kobe to come out and prove he can lead a team into the playoffs. Then he can jab back at Shaq.

[MaD_hAND1e]

Wow. THey interviewed Shaq on Sportcenter about the Jax's move, and when asked about Kobe Bryant, Shaq replied " Who? I'm not good with names, I dunno who you're talking about"

Sorry, but I find that a rather idiotic statement.

Phil is obviously on a task to prove he can actually build a team, not only take it to the finals.

Yea, thats what I thought too, and it's pretty sad considering Kobe did help Shaq win 3 rings. And the fact that he looked completely serious made him seem idiotic.

[[L3]1101]

are you saying MaD_hAND1e's statement is idiotic or Shaq's?
If you are talking about shaq's statement then i agree. I personally think he's taking this kobe thing rather too serious. He's got his wish; he went to miami, and got a great side kick, great backups, great coach, and went to the east finals, which they could've won if he had done a little more because he thinks he deserves more than 30mil/ year salary. Plus he still want a raise over that huge salary. I just don't think anybody should be paid all that money unless he can prove that he deserves it. Shaq had an alright season. He missed many games, but the numbers don't really show that he's the most dominant player in the league. He still have the presence in the paint, but sooner or later people are gonna realise that Shaq is getting old. If he really wants to win and he's a team player, then he should CUT his salary so that miami can acquire more people, a better point guard perhaps. Though i still like shaq, and i still think Kobe cause the collapse of the Lakers. Just a thought. People please don't get pissed off at my opinion. It's just a thought, and if you disagree please tell.

[Jackal_]

But again like I said Shaq's pissed at Kobe still. I'm sure deep down in his heart he knows Kobe did contribute to the team tremendously in order for them to win the rings but he's letting his emotions take over. Obviously not the right thing to do but just shows he hasn't forgiven Kobe.

[ThaShizzit]

if u think phil returning was a bad choice for the lakers, what then would be a BETTER situation..tell me that

[Jackal_]

if u think phil returning was a bad choice for the lakers, what then would be a BETTER situation..tell me that

First off, Who are you talking to..?
Second, If you're talking to me you should read what I wrote again...I never said anything about it being a bad idea that Jackson came back to the Lakers.

[ThaShizzit]

if u think phil returning was a bad choice for the lakers, what then would be a BETTER situation..tell me that

First off, Who are you talking to..?
Second, If you're talking to me you should read what I wrote again...I never said anything about it being a bad idea that Jackson came back to the Lakers.

i wasn't responding to anyone...i was postin in general.

[Jackal_]

Sorry bud, thought you were talkin to me. Just make sure you mention its a general post or if you're replyin to someones post. I didn't take it that way because of the way you made it sound.

[ThaShizzit]

oh sorry...for the wording...i usually don't read the first replies until i posted my thing.

[Andrew]

I'm still surprised at that move by Phil. I don't know what he gains by doing this, but I do expect the Lakers to be better next year... but I doubt they'll make it far in the playoffs - if they make it at all.

I'm with you. I was starting to expect it with the recent mumblings, but before that I really wouldn't have expected him to return. It was only a couple of years ago he was asking the Lakers to trade Kobe because he couldn't coach him, and Kobe's role (direct or indirect) in Jackson's dismissal has been brought up many times since The Last Season came out.

It seems odd that Jax would want to return to such a situation, especially since Kobe's play and attitude don't seem to have changed that much but if all parties want to give it another try, more power to them.

As far as the results are concerned, Jax's return alone isn't going to be enough to take the Lakers back to the level they were at before last year's restructuring. I know, I know, "anything's possible" but it's really unlikely. Not only are they a couple of pieces away from being true title contenders, they lack experience with each other.

Not to understate Jax's role in the Bulls' championship teams or the Lakers' threepeat at the beginning of this decade, but those teams did have pieces in place and the core group had the benefit of having played a couple of years together with modest playoff success. Hiring Phil Jackson isn't the last thing the Lakers need to do to climb back into the upper echelon of NBA teams.

[MaD_hAND1e]

As far as the results are concerned, Jax's return alone isn't going to be enough to take the Lakers back to the level they were at before last year's restructuring. I know, I know, "anything's possible" but it's really unlikely. Not only are they a couple of pieces away from being true title contenders, they lack experience with each other.

Well, it's really hard to say, and we won't find out until next season (unless there's a lockout, fingers crossed there won't be). We'll just have to see what happens, I mean, how many people thought that the Suns or the Bulls or the Sonics, this season, had what it took to do as well as they did?

[beau_boy04]

I'm glad to see Phil back in the Lakers team.

Question - how many years did he sign up for for ? and how much will he be getting?

Peja+Bryant is inferior to Pippen+MJ - enough said!

However Caron Butler is already in place. Peja is already in his prime and Caron Butler has a better upside, I think it would be a bad choice if he's traded out of LA.

Odom could become one of the best PF/SF mesh with the right orientation. I remenber a game watching him playing against Tim Duncan and he totalled got owned. I guess he gets intimidated fast when he knows he's playing against great players. He needs more aggression and always be on the attack mode.

Kobe - hopefully can put everything behind him and start all over again with argually the best coach of all-time Phil Jackson. I'm not sure if Phil has expressed the whys and buts of his decision to come back but I'm pretty sure Kobe is one of them, he knows Kobe is good and could become even better, and Phil is going to take him to the next level. Those two might not have had the best of relation but as long as there respect between coach and player, they'll be fine. Sort of like what Shaq said once "I respect him as a player but as a human being no"

How did Brian Grant stopped in LA? was it in the Shaq blockbuster trade? damn that a dumn choice by LA management allowing Brian Grant salary to come to LA - very stupid!

[Jackal]

If Brian Grant's salary wasn't included, the whole Shaq trade would never have gone down given Shaq's salary is huge. So they had to add Grant. Just for his salary.

[Drex]

Anyway, this is awesome for the Lakers, hopefully Kobe comes out a lot more team-orientated this year, and the Lakers getting 50 wins would be a much improvement and something to be excited about imo.

I think that 50 wins is a little too much to ask

[J@3]

Peja+Bryant is inferior to Pippen+MJ - enough said!

Um... thanks for the insight.

[Boyk]

Anyway, this is awesome for the Lakers, hopefully Kobe comes out a lot more team-orientated this year, and the Lakers getting 50 wins would be a much improvement and something to be excited about imo.

I think that 50 wins is a little too much to ask

yer but i can dream cant i?

well i just wanna see em back in the finals, and i think you'll need 50 wins to get there.

[Drex]

50 wins in the West is good enough for 4th seed, I guess. But you still have to go through the Suns, Mavs, Rockets, Spurs, Nuggs, Sonics, Wolves, etc. Not an easy task.

[Fresh8]

The 8 teams who made it this year and Minny, Utah and the improving Clippers wont be backign down, basically.. it will be hard!

[The Game]

Well at least now, im not looking like a fool arguing with Andrew about PJ's returning to el-ay...

[Drex]

We need to start counting Lakers fans now. Because when the season start we may get over-populated again

[Jackal]

I'm present and have been.