Everyone is talking about Phil Jackson’s new President of Basketball Operations position with the New York Knicks, but one person that has been laying low through it all has been the Los Angeles Lakers own Jeanie Buss, who is Phil’s fiance.
In a sit down with Time Warner Cable SportsNet’s Bill McDonald, Jeanie discussed that exact topic and gave her two cents about the situation. She might be a little frustrated at the circumstances, but she says she just wants Phil to be happy doing something he’s passionate about and thinks this is something that will challenge him.
Read what she had to say about the new found Lakers vs. Knicks rivalry below.
OS REWIND: Phil Jackson’s Knicks Introduction Press Conference
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“He was not offered any official position. Fans will recall seeing him —when we retired Shaquille O’Neal’s jersey, for example— he came and he was part of that ceremony. So there were a lot of Lakers functions that Phil was with me because he was there to support me in no official capacity. There is no role for him in the front office for him, for what he can contribute. Maybe I can have him sell sponsorships or work security (laughs), but I don’t think that would be something that would give Phil the kind of challenge that he’s looking for. That would fulfill him. And anybody that knows when you’re involved in a relationship, if your significant other isn’t happy or satisfied with what they are doing, it’s not fun. Everybody has to find what their passion is and for Phil, basketball is his passion. He’s good at it. I wish him well. Again, the Knicks can do well, but I want the Lakers to be number one.”
The most heartbreaking thing we heard from the clip was undoubtedly Jeanie revealing that there was absolutely no position for Jackson on the Lakers organization as of this time. Sadly to say, the Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak regime weren’t going to allow that to happen, passing up on his talent as head coach in favor of Mike D’Antoni before. Now you have Phil going across the country to take full control of the Knicks.
Summer of 2014 is crucial for the Lakers, because off-season moves can put them back on the playoff hunt next year with a good pick and cap space open, but if they don’t move carefully, the team will continue on the path to mediocrity for years to come.
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