NBA Rumor: Phil Jackson Back To The Chicago Bulls
Other than the Celtics losing Game 4 last night at home, the talk of the basketball world was that a familiar face in Chicago Bulls basketball could be returning home. No, not that guy, but rather his coach. According to Chris Broussard of ESPN The Magazine and two sources with knowledge of the situation, the Bulls have reached out to Phil Jackson through back channels to gauge his interest in returning to the franchise he won six NBA titles with.
There has been no direct contact between Bulls officials and Jackson, according to the sources, but people close to both parties have spoken and come away with the belief that Jackson would be open to a potential reunion in Chicago next season.
This morning though, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune has said that the reunion “seems unlikely.” In addition to a team source downplaying the story, Johnson also dug up Jackson’s own words from May 4.
“No, I’m not,” Jackson said, when asked if he’d be interested in succeeding Vinny Del Negro. “I think it’s a wonderful job for whoever takes it. It’s a team on the rise and there’s some young talent that showed their ability to come back after probably a devastating first two months. Then from January on they played pretty well.”
Whether or not Jackson returns to the Lakers next year is still up in the air, but if management is set on reducing his $12.5 million salary, he might have to look elsewhere. From Chicago’s standpoint, clearly this is a power play to try and land LeBron James. Other than the cap space and young talent on the roster, the chance to play for a Hall of Fame coach and 10-time champion in Jackson could be too much to pass up.
What do you think?
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May 25th, 2010 at 10:24 am
dmitry of jersey says:
wow that is one homoerotic mag cover
May 25th, 2010 at 10:37 am
quick wit it says:
ease up dmitry…if you lived through the early 90s you’d know that’s what every sports magazine cover looked like
…and jackson/lebron?!@#$^%&*? my mind explodes at even the prospect
May 25th, 2010 at 10:38 am
Wake says:
Can someone photoshop that pic with LeBron and Rose.
May 25th, 2010 at 10:39 am
bliz289 says:
this is why i don’t see that happening:
http://tweetphoto.com/23896641
May 25th, 2010 at 10:48 am
NTstateOfmind says:
@4 – why wouldnt he want to walk by the statue of his childhood hero? Its motivation to go to work and get it done everyday.
May 25th, 2010 at 10:58 am
bliz289 says:
@NTstateOfmind
i believe lebron’s goal is to be the best player ever. in chicago, best case he gets a statue next to jordan’s. he’d never have a chance to establish his own legacy.
May 25th, 2010 at 11:08 am
duke_blue says:
the name of this article should’ve been called “Phil Jackson: Back on my bullshit”
admit it…its kinda hot
May 25th, 2010 at 11:17 am
dmitry of jersey says:
really.. every magazine had one dude hugging two other dudes while they were grinning like scottie and MJ over there?
I did live thruogh the 90′s my friend, but i was reading different kinds of magazines….
May 25th, 2010 at 11:39 am
isotope says:
This is just weak! I know reporters have a job to do and are usually wrong but still. Let the man finish the current season before providing unnecessary distractions like this. I hate when the media does this. Now people start questioning Phil’s focus/loyalty because some idiot wanted to get a headline story.
May 25th, 2010 at 11:43 am
JJ says:
Jeannie Buss would cheat on him if he leaves!!!!!
May 25th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
The Other Aj says:
LOL @ #1…!!!
Although no would have dared said that during the 90′s
May 25th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
D.I. Dollar says:
This is just stupid. Phil is not going to Chicago (oh yeah, and neither is LeBron). Sorry Chi-Town, you gotta come up with some other gimmick to try and keep your team in the news. Maybe they should try signing Gay-Z as a backup 2 gaurd and then Lebron will come running.
May 25th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
Alvin says:
@bliz289
So what if Jordan’s statue is out there for the world to see and for LeBron or possibly Wade to drive past everyday before a game. Especially in the case of LeBron, he and everyone is waiting for the man to ascend to the top of the games greatest ever, no matter where he goes, Jordan’s shadow will always hover over him.
May 25th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
Ian says:
howard stern i mean phil jackson wouldnt coach the bulls unless he gets 2 superstars.
May 25th, 2010 at 2:23 pm
Cal says:
Best cover ever lol!! Its all Lebron/Wade posturing. Phil goes to the Chi, Lebrons listening trust me.
http://diaryofamiseducatedblackman.com/2010/05/25/magic-win-in-boston-for-real/
May 25th, 2010 at 2:56 pm
quick wit it says:
@dmitry
i love it when people forget that little thing called “evidence” -my point is back then in photoshoots people were told to smile and did, and yes, males made physical contact with each other as they often do in sports anyways.
Now for the evidence (which I gathered in 30 seconds of googling):
http://bit.ly/ddWmsl
http://bit.ly/ddA9VG
http://bit.ly/aCD5IC
May 25th, 2010 at 6:42 pm
Chicagorilla says:
LMFAO@duke-blue “Phil Jackson: Back on my bullshit”
while I hate your SN because you are a dookie, that is some damn clever writing my friend. kudos
May 26th, 2010 at 12:16 am
Chicagorilla says:
Oh and BTW
F^k you Phil Jackson. Take your square sholders and high ass postuer, and your insent and triangles and shove it up your a$$ you f^king tard. You don’t deserve to coach in Chicago again.
from the City of Chicago
May 26th, 2010 at 1:23 am
johnsacrimoni says:
At #8
What were you reading back then, Highlights for Children?