NBA

Phil Jackson Returning To Lakers, Chasing Fourth Three-Peat

For a while, the return of both 2010 NBA Finals coaches to the league next season was in doubt. But this season’s success first proved to be too much for Doc Rivers to give up, and today, Phil Jackson decided the same, announcing he’ll return to the Lakers next season.

If the Lakers win it all next season, it would be Jackson’s fourth career three-peat (in addition to ’91-’93 and ’96-’98 with the Bulls, and 2000-’02 with L.A.), and 12th title overall, both simply absurd numbers. And the Lakers will stand an excellent chance to do it – after all, Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol are coming back.

Jeanie Buss, daughter of Lakers owner Jerry Buss and Jackson’s girlfriend (because when you’ve won 11 championships, you can do things like date the boss’s daughter), tweeted yesterday that she was “optimistic” Jackson would return. And even though Jackson said a week ago he’d probably quit, sure enough, Buss was right.

Most fascinating potential storyline for Jackson’s return: imagine if the Chicago Bulls land the vaunted LeBron James-Chris Bosh package deal, and wind up facing the Lakers in the Finals? Jackson, as a last hurrah, facing his old team for a chance at a fourth three-peat and further cementing his reputation as an all-time great – admittedly it’s (very, very) early to speculate about such a scenario, but we’re thinking the ratings for such a series would eclipse even the huge numbers produced by this year’s Finals.

Though Jackson earns criticism for his constant mind games (especially with opponents), the NBA is a more interesting league with him. And, hey, those mind games hae worked to the tune of 11 titles. Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak called him “the best coach in the history of the NBA” in dscussing Jackson’s return, and whether or not Jackson’s final go-round ends triumphantly, it’s hard to argue.

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