1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

Nuggets interested in Phil Jackson,Coach may consider returning to NBA next season

Discussion in 'NBA Dish' started by dragonsnake, Dec 29, 2004.

Tags:
Page 1 of 2
  1. dragonsnake

    dragonsnake Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2002
    Messages:
    316
    Likes Received:
    1
    http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6766408/

    Report: Nuggets interested in Phil Jackson
    Coach may consider returning to NBA next season

    NBCSports.com news services
    Updated: 2:51 p.m. ET Dec. 29, 2004


    Is Phil Jackson ready to make a return to the NBA? Jackson, who was pushed out as Los Angeles Lakers coach after last season, is being considered for the full-time coaching position of the Denver Nuggets, The Rocky Mountain News reported.

    The Nuggets fired Jeff Bzdelik as coach Tuesday and named Michael Cooper as interim coach.

    The newspaper said Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe won't speculate how long Cooper might have the interim tag but said he will be considered for the permanent job. If the Nuggets make their choice in the summer, the newspaper said Jackson could be a candidate.

    "Anybody would love to have a coach like that," Vandeweghe said of the likely future Hall of Famer.

    Jackson's agent, Todd Musburger, told The News that Jackson is soon going on vacation to Australia and New Zealand and will not coach this season. He said there is a "possibility" Jackson could return next season and didn't rule out the Nuggets.

    "At the right moment, he'll think about . . . whether he wants to (coach again)," Musburger told the newspaper. "I hate to speculate on whether it would be Denver because Denver has not offered."

    The newspaper also said George Karl is considered a top candidate for the job.

    Karl's agent, Bret Adams, confirmed to The News that his client is interested in Denver if Cooper isn't retained.

    "I'm sure everybody knows George wants to coach again," Adams told the newspaper. "George has a personal relationship with Kiki and if they're interested in George, it's something I'm sure he'll consider."

    Karl and Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke are part owners of an Ohio health club.

    "Obviously, he's a very good coach," Vandeweghe said.

    Cooper was hired in the offseason to be an assistant and not Bzdelik’s replacement, and is only supposed to fill the role while the Nuggets search for a full-time coach. Then again, he could be the best fit for the job.

    One of the best defensive players in NBA history, Cooper could impart some of his knowledge to a team that has been defensive lacking. He’s also got plenty of experience.

    A member of the Lakers’ “Showtime” teams that won five NBA titles, Cooper was an assistant GM and assistant coach with the Lakers and later led the Los Angeles Sparks to consecutive WNBA titles.

    “We may not have all the answers on Day 1,” Vandeweghe said. “Michael has all the qualities to be an excellent head coach in this league and lead a championship drive. For today, I thought we needed to make a change and Michael was the best person.”

    © 2004 NBC Sports.com


    Looks like Phil is returning next season!!!!!!!!!!
     
    #1 dragonsnake, Dec 29, 2004
  2. emjohn

    emjohn Member

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2002
    Messages:
    12,132
    Likes Received:
    567
    Phil will return as soon as he has another perfect team set up for him. He will do what he did with the Bulls and Lakers: wait for the most on-paper talent in the league to be assembled on a roster, then walk in and manage that talent.

    He's certainly without question the greatest coach in the modern era at taking very good teams to a championship level, but it's unlikely he will ever take over a team that isn't knocking on the door.

    That said, the Nuggets don't seem (to me, personally) a team that fits that category. They're good, and a playoff team, but a pretty far cry from the level of talent Jackson is used to coaching.

    Being as objective as one can be as a homer, the Rockets look like the more ideal landing spot for him.

    Evan
     
    #2 emjohn, Dec 29, 2004
  3. ivanyy2000

    ivanyy2000 Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2002
    Messages:
    3,153
    Likes Received:
    126
    Yeah, you do look like a homer.:p
     
    #3 ivanyy2000, Dec 29, 2004
  4. KaiSeR SoZe

    KaiSeR SoZe Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2003
    Messages:
    8,395
    Likes Received:
    39
    He can take over our team
     
    #4 KaiSeR SoZe, Dec 29, 2004
  5. Manny Ramirez

    Manny Ramirez The Music Man

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2001
    Messages:
    28,807
    Likes Received:
    5,747
    Don't kid yourself - Jackson is not coming back unless some team like the Spurs or Pistons got rid of their coaches. The Nuggets don't fit his MO.
     
    #5 Manny Ramirez, Dec 29, 2004
  6. dragonsnake

    dragonsnake Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2002
    Messages:
    316
    Likes Received:
    1
    We never know, a good trade or some nice free agent signing along with a nice draft this summer could change fortune in a hurry.
     
    #6 dragonsnake, Dec 29, 2004
  7. Stack24

    Stack24 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2003
    Messages:
    11,766
    Likes Received:
    1,737
    He needs a team that is going to ensure that he doesn't hurt his legacy. he won't take on a team that is rebuilding and as young as they are.
     
    #7 Stack24, Dec 29, 2004
  8. Manny Ramirez

    Manny Ramirez The Music Man

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2001
    Messages:
    28,807
    Likes Received:
    5,747
    And I could win the lottery by the time next season starts meaning the odds of this happening for me is just the same as seeing Jackson back next season as a coach - slim to none.
     
    #8 Manny Ramirez, Dec 29, 2004
  9. clove

    clove Member

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2002
    Messages:
    891
    Likes Received:
    3
    There is no way Phil is going to Denver.
     
    #9 clove, Dec 29, 2004
  10. DaDakota

    DaDakota Balance wins
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 1999
    Messages:
    129,148
    Likes Received:
    39,642
    And Phil hates JVG....

    I want Phil for that reason alone.

    DD
     
    #10 DaDakota, Dec 29, 2004
  11. JumpMan

    JumpMan Member
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2004
    Messages:
    8,539
    Likes Received:
    4,945
    Ok, so Jackson has coached a grand total of two teams in his whole career and it's ok to say that he only goes to the best team? I believe he was an assistant with the Bulls for a couple of years and was simply the next in line after Doug Collins. Why is that considered walking in to the best available team?

    With the Lakers he did choose the best available team, but if IIRC he wasn't their #1 choice (Pat Riley?) and I think there was talk of him coaching the Knicks. Anyway that doesn't really matter because if you had won 6 championships in 9 years you deserve to pick the team you want to go to. I believe Shaq was the one who pushed Buss to hire Phil Jackson anyway because, IIRC, Jerry West didn't want him.

    I might be off on a few of those things, I don't remember the specifics...
     
    #11 JumpMan, Dec 29, 2004
  12. JumpMan

    JumpMan Member
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2004
    Messages:
    8,539
    Likes Received:
    4,945
    How would you know? He's actually talked about coaching high school team some day after he returns from his... where ever he's at right now. Don't tell me he won't go anywhere but Oak Hill Acadamy.
     
    #12 JumpMan, Dec 29, 2004
  13. JBIIRockets

    JBIIRockets Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2001
    Messages:
    6,358
    Likes Received:
    48
    not only that, but Phil could team up with T-Mac.

    You don't think Phil wouldn't enjoy beating Kobe with T-mac in his lap.

    Phil being the coach here in Houston would be a dream come true.
     
    #13 JBIIRockets, Dec 29, 2004
  14. rockbox

    rockbox Around before clutchcity.com

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2000
    Messages:
    22,809
    Likes Received:
    12,576
    Don't the nugs have enough cap space next summer to sign another max contract??
     
    #14 rockbox, Dec 29, 2004
  15. Nuggets4

    Nuggets4 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 1999
    Messages:
    2,928
    Likes Received:
    32
    Close. $8 mil.
     
    #15 Nuggets4, Dec 29, 2004
  16. KellyDwyer

    KellyDwyer Member

    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2001
    Messages:
    3,660
    Likes Received:
    86
    How were you able to deduce that from this article?

    Looks like Phil's agent is keeping his client's name in the newspapers!!!!!!!!!!!
     
    #16 KellyDwyer, Dec 29, 2004
  17. TBar

    TBar Member

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2001
    Messages:
    3,033
    Likes Received:
    1
    Detroit makes more sense for Jackson. There have been rumors that Larry Brown is ready to move - he had hip replacement surgery-he may be ready to take a break..

    Jackson could help Detroit continue to win.......
     
    #17 TBar, Dec 29, 2004
  18. Nuggets4

    Nuggets4 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 1999
    Messages:
    2,928
    Likes Received:
    32
    LOL! Hey Kelly, I was curious to see what your take was on the Bzdelik firing. Thoughts?
     
    #18 Nuggets4, Dec 29, 2004
  19. KellyDwyer

    KellyDwyer Member

    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2001
    Messages:
    3,660
    Likes Received:
    86
    I'm guessing I'm the same as you, so resigned to the fact that it was going to happen, that it didn't really spur much reaction. I mean, he's been on the hot seat for over a year, and six straight losses?

    Like you and Nuggie fans, I'm sure, I'm more interested to see what Kiki does with his spare parts between now and February.
     
    #19 KellyDwyer, Dec 30, 2004
  20. KellyDwyer

    KellyDwyer Member

    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2001
    Messages:
    3,660
    Likes Received:
    86
    Actually, forget that ...

    I wrote a D+ take on it for the new OtB column, should be up later this afternoon.
     
    #20 KellyDwyer, Dec 30, 2004
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 1 of 2

Share This Page