Zen-Master Signs Two-Year Extension with Lakers
We make fun of Phil Jackson, from time to time. I mean, he's kind of a Moonbeam sorta Flower Child of a coach ... You're never quite sure he's really aware of where he is, at any given moment. Too blissed out, maybe?
But the guy can coach, and he also gets along with Kobe Bryant, so it's good news for Lakers fans that Phil signed a two-year contract extension today to remain as Lakers coach through the 2009-2010 season.
Phil apparently will get a bit of a raise, from $10 million per season to something like $11-12 million. Which is a boatload of money for a coach ... but he does have nine NBA championship rings.
And he does get along with Kobe. Did we mention that?
Phil's decision to go for an extension hinged, in part, on his latest hip-replacement surgery. He had the left hip done before last season, and bounced right back ... but he had the right hip done this summer, and it's been a slow recovery. He was using a cane, still, on opening night.
He apparently now feels spry enough to envision being around the Lakers an extra two seasons.
Who knows: By the spring of 2010, Andrew Bynum might be one of the league's best centers. And maybe Kobe will have given up on his trade dreams and decided against opting out of his Lakers contract.
If anyone can talk him out bolting, it would be Phil. So keeping him ... good move.
I approve, Jerry Buss.