Jeannie Buss can see
Jackson joining Knicks
But girlfriend not sure former
Lakers coach will return at all
 Lucy Nicholson / REUTERS Phil Jackson played for the Knicks for 10 seasons. |
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Will Phil Jackson return to the NBA and coach the New York Knicks? If you ask his girlfriend, the answer is yes.
Jeanie Buss, who in addition to dating Jackson is a Lakers vice president and the daughter of Lakers owner Jerry Buss, told the New York Post that she expects Jackson to coach the Knicks next season.
"Absolutely, yes" she told the Post in an interview at Staples Center on Tuesday.
Jackson played for the Knicks from 1967-78.
"It was such a great time of his life," Buss told The Post of Jackson's New York playing days. "I totally see him back in New York. We were talking about Bill Bradley a couple of hours ago."
Buss said she joined Jackson on his book-signing tour through New York in the fall last year.
"When he was in New York in October, he wanted to take me places, wanted to show me everything," Buss told the Post. "He's got a love of the city. A friend of a friend sent to me a New York Knicks team picture when he was on the team. It had all the signatures but they needed Phil's. We sat down. Told me all the stories."
Buss did tell the paper, however, that Jackson may not return at all.
"As close as I am to Phil, I still don't know if he wants to coach," she said.
"What's important to me is he's healthy and feels good. ... I can't get a read one way or another [if he'll coach]. If he does, I want to make sure wherever he goes he has the support we gave him here."
If she had her choice, Jackson would return to the Lakers.
"Kobe is not the reason Phil is not the Laker coach," she said. "The reason he's not the Laker coach is he had the opportunity to sign the extension and he waited. My father was coming to the conclusion he was going to trade Shaq. Kobe was a free agent and he had a coach who was noncommittal. He had to make a decision. Phil has always said Kobe is one of the best players, and any team with him can compete for a championship. I don't see it being a problem."
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