Controlling owner Jeanie Buss appears to have added another cook to the Los Angeles Lakers’ kitchen.
Bill Oram of The Athletic reported on Monday that legendary head coach Phil Jackson, who is Buss’ former fiancé, has been in frequent contact with Buss on Lakers team matters throughout the NBA season. The complicated situation with guard Russell Westbrook is a topic that has especially drawn Jackson’s interest, Oram adds.
Jackson, 76, is arguably the greatest NBA coach ever, having won a record 11 championships, five of which came as Lakers head coach. The team’s official Twitter account also made sure to note Jackson’s presence at Crypto.com Arena for the Lakers’ game against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday.
The Zen Master is in the building pic.twitter.com/my55FYCKms
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 6, 2022
Jackson’s reputation has gotten a bit checkered in recent years thanks to his failed tenure as president of the New York Knicks. It is also a bit surprising that Buss is consulting him after they ended their engagement in 2016.
But Jackson obviously knows a thing or two about the sport, particularly on the team-building process and how to manage volatile stars. The Zen Master had been rumored for years to desire a return to the Lakers, and now it appears that he has done just that, albeit in an unofficial capacity.
Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
