Phil Jackson to have hip surgery

Word out of LA this week that Lakers mentor, Phil Jackson, will have hip surgery should not come as a surprise to those that have followed the Zen Master’s career. The wear-and-tear of a lifetime playing and coaching in the NBA has taken its toll on Jackson’s body and forced him to take time off to focus on getting healthy. Jackson is tentatively scheduled to return to the Lakers bench in time for the opener against the Suns on October 31.

Phil Jackson
The Lakers shouldn’t miss a beat during Jackson’s absence; the Lakers boast a veteran coaching staff and Kobe Bryant’s leadership should keep the team humming while their head coach recovers from surgery.

What’s more concerning for Laker devotees is the long-term health of Phil Jackson. At the ripe age of 61 and having already walked away from coaching on two separate occasions, Jackson’s tenure as Lakers coach may not extend beyond the current season if his health doesn’t improve. . Much of the Lakers identity is associated with the Zen Master’s presence on the sideline. Jackson has demonstrated an ability to channel Kobe’s intensity and drive to win, which can look an awful lot like selfishness, into what he is trying to accomplish with his team.

Losing Phil Jackson to retirement would be a major blow for an organization that prides itself on its star power. If Jackson’s recovery drags on throughout the season and the Lakers struggle to compete in the Western Conference, this may be Phil’s last dance.

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Posted in General on October 17, 2006

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