Phil Jackson to Magic: Outta here in ’10

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An interview that Magic Johnson conducted on behalf of ABC with Phil Jackson at the Lakers’ team headquarters in El Segundo this afternoon produced a bit of news — the coach says he’ll be gone after his contract comes up in 2010.

Johnson, now a working member of the ABC NBA studio crew, asked the 63-year-old Jackson how long he’d be staying as coach.

Remember, Jackson is struggling with two hip replacements and was brought back by owner Jerry Buss only to help fix the team’s chemistry problems after he left and was replaced by Rudy Tomjanovich and then Frank Hamblen during the 2004-05 season. Jackson told Magic he’d coach this season, and one more after that. Then, it’s over.

Magic, of course, has an ownership stake in the Lakers, since 1994.

A clip of that interview aired on KSPN-AM (710). ESPN also ran it during halftime of tonight’s Dallas-Detroit telecast. The interview in full airs at halftime of the Lakers-Spurs contest, which KABC Channel 7 airs at 12:30 p.m. Sunday.

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  • sicily

    It would be a shame if the Lakers lost Phil Jackson. Nobody can replace him. Who is up to the challenge? Who would be brave to try to fill his shoes? I think the Lakers would fall apart.