Phil Jackson on Lakers’ Assistant Coach Kurt Rambis

Lakers’ Coach Phil Jackson said that the organization has “toyed” with the concept of Lakers’ Assistant Coach Kurt Rambis coaching a few road games in a radio interview and Rambis responded, saying it’s “one of the many ideas we kicked around a little.” On June 23 Rambis spoke with reporters and aknowledged that he heard Jackson’s comments about being open to the idea of him filling in for the Lakers’ Head Coach for a few road games next season and said that in early July Jackson will reveal his decision on his coaching future.

Last season Rambis coached one game when Jackson decided to stay in L.A. instead of travelling to Portland with the Lakers due to swelling in his legs from plantar fasciitus. Said Rambis, who was one of the final candidates for the Sacramento Kings Head Coaching job, “This is not new to me. This is one of the many ideas we kicked around a little. The hardest part about the job is the travel. It’s especially hard when you have physical issues. There’s some travel that are particularly grueling. He can take tough road trips off. Phil is probably at a point where he is looking to wind his career down and I’m looking to wind my career up.” Jackson turns 64 in September and told 710 AM radio that he will have some tests done to determine his health and that is they turn out well “that there’s no doubt” that he’ll return to coach the Lakers for the 09-10 season.

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