Phil Jackson to Return for Another Season

Lakers Coach Phil Jackson returned from a two-day vacation at his lake house in Montana and agreed to come back as an NBA coach for a 19th season on Friday (July 3 ). The team released a statement in which Jackson said, “After consulting with Lakers team internist Dr. John Moe, I feel confident that I can gainfully pursue an NBA season with another long playoff postseason. All things point to go!” Jackson won his 10th championship as a coach this season and beat Boston Celtics coaching great Red Auerbach for the most titles. Jackson turns 64 in September and completed a host of medical tests to determine he will be coaching his 19th season, for a cool $12 million no less.

Todd Musburger, Jackson’s agent,  told the L.A. Times, “The present agreement between Phil and the Lakers runs through the 2009-10 season. There is a comfortable and positive relationship between Phil, Dr. [Jerry] Buss, his sons that are in management, and certainly [General Manager] Mitch Kupchak, that if both sides feel an extension is something they want, then obviously it could happen. But for the moment, there’s another terrific season to look forward to and nothing formal planned on seeking answers beyond the coming year.” Musburger continued to say, “Obviously, everybody close to Phil is equally thrilled with that news. He’s excited first that his health is what it needs to be. It’s going to be an exciting year. This move that they just made [to acquire Ron Artest] is filled with intrigue.”

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