What Is He Thinking?
Kobe for Garnett? Anything is possible now that Phil Jackson is back.
There is an old and wise adage that goes, “Never go back to an old girlfriend, and never go back to an old job.”
Apparently, Phil Jackson doesn’t believe in those words of wisdom -- at least not the latter part.
After a 1-year hiatus from Los Angeles Lakers, Jackson was rehired by the team on June 14. Jackson returns to the squad he coached to three NBA Championships, and is expected to lead the Lakers back into the playoffs, following their 34-48 debacle last season.
“There are a couple pieces that are still needed to make this team a winning team,” Jackson said. “Those are in the form of Brian Grant-type players that we anticipate can help us this year.”
Yeah, the Lakers are missing some pieces. Actually, they are missing one piece. A 7-1, 325-pound piece who currently wears a white, red and black jersey with “O’Neal” printed on the back.
What exactly is Jackson thinking? His return to the Lakers makes less sense than if Boone returned to Lost next season as some mysterious poltergeist. Jackson’s pristine 832-316 career record and nine championship rings are all arguments used in his favor when discussing the best coach in NBA history. Even if the best-case scenario occurs for the Lakers -- a mediocre record and a sixth or seventh seed in the playoffs -- Jackson’s mystique will be tarnished and all arguments about him being the best coach of all time will be nullified.
The other reason why Jackson’s return is bizarre is the fact that Kobe Bryant didn’t get along with him. In fact, rumors circulated that Kobe was the reason Jackson left after losing to the Detroit Pistons in the 2003-04 Finals.
There is one move general manager Mitch Kupchak could orchestrate that would make Jackson’s second coaching stint with Los Angeles successful.
Trading Kobe for Kevin Garnett.
The trade would make sense for all sides. The Timberwolves would receive a superstar back for their own, who has recently voiced his displeasure with the organization. Kobe would still have his own team, where he can put up 4,382 shots per night. Garnett would be able to escape Minnesota, where he is surrounded by the ever-starving Latrell Sprewell and Wally Szczerbiak, who never got along with him.
The deal benefits the Lakers the most. They would still have a superstar to keep the glamorous stars -- Jack Nicholson, Denzel Washington, Dustin Hoffman, Jaleel White -- packed in the front row. Garnett wants to win, and would thrive under Jackson’s tutelage. He would be surrounded by solid, team-oriented players like Caron Butler, Lamar Odom and whoever the Lakers select with the 10th pick in the draft. Los Angeles would have its next big man, capable of competing with Tim Duncan and Rasheed Wallace.
And most importantly, the Lakers would no longer have Kobe.
NBA Column Links:
2006: 2006 NBA Draft Thoughts
2005: 2005 NBA Draft Thoughts
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NBA Finals 2005: Unwatched Greatness
Mo Money, Still Problems?
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