PHILADELPHIA – The Nets’ owners are sparing no expense or perk in their romancing of Phil Jackson, sources reveal. Whatever it takes within modern-day sports insanity to recruit the six-time NBA champion coach, consider it promised, design it done:
Mo’ money, less problems. More power than he could abuse. A full court library. Total recall of the ’60s. Season tickets to the Knicks. Danny Whelan as the team trainer. Summers off. And, of course, partial proprietorship.
That’s no big deal. Everybody who’s somebody, or those who remained loyal through hard times over many years, were rewarded with a percentage of the franchise when Ray Chambers and Lewis Katz purchased it.
Which is why we’re seeing a glut of New Jersey bumper stickers proclaiming: Honk If You’re a Nets owner.
I’m way ahead of you. I know what you’re thinking. As ridiculously rich and radioactive-free as Jackson is being assured he’ll become should he accept the dangerous assignment, it’s impossible to fathom he’s really considering an existence in the Meadowlands swamp, and later Newark.
It’s even harder to believe there won’t be more enchanting and exotic options – Knicks and Lakers – readily available to his every whim if he waits a couple more weeks.
Fact is, Patrick Ewing can relax. Despite what most people think, the Knicks are not Jackson’s fantasy job. Over the last few years, he received genuine feelers from people with organizational affections, if not connections, and he was plainly indifferent. Neither the city’s media mob, nor the team’s players delighted or excited him.
Fact is, in view of the Knicks capturing homecourt advantage from the Hawks, Jeff Van Gundy may not be joining Ernie Grunfeld in scouting purgatory after all.
Fact is, the Lakers no longer appear to be a legitimate course for Jackson, either. Sources tell me he’d love to move onto LA’s sidelines if Kurt Rambis is moved off them, except for one minor detail; owner Jerry Buss isn’t remotely prepared to meet so much as his final $6 million Bulls salary.
Fact is, should Jackson yearn to try his luck at winning a title with Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and Glen Rice, he’ll have to take a severe pay cut.
Fact is, although Rambis isn’t overwhelming anybody with his tactics and techniques against the Spurs, Laker sources say, “Don’t be surprised if Buss re-hires Rambis for next season.”
Fact is, Jackson has family in the area, a 90-acre spread in Woodstock, N.Y., and the prospects of returning to New Jersey, where he once worked and played, has always appealed to him.
Three Junes ago, when he was unsure about returning to the Bulls on a 1-year basis for what he expected owner Jerry Reinsdorf to offer, he expressed his interest to me regarding the Nets’ opening; but only if an agreement with Chicago couldn’t be reached.
Naturally, the Nets owner figured it inconceivable they were in Jackson’s equation. Why would he want to coach their team instead of Michael Jordan, they reasoned correctly?
Before they knew for sure that Jackson was staying put, though, the Taub brothers pursued Rick Pitino, then quickly hired John Calipari after Pitino turned them down. Who could blame them? At the time, the Nets felt pressed to secure instant credibility. Now, in spite of a mournful season of ousters and injuries, they flaunt some of the league’s most talented young players – Keith Van Horn, Stephon Marbury and Kerry Kittles. Clearly, there should be no rush to make a play for anyone else until Jackson gives them his decision.
For your edification, John Thompson, pushed strongly by David Falk (agent for the above trio) is not a serious candidate, supposedly due to his lack of pro experience. Then how come Doc Rivers hasn’t been eliminated from contention? By all accounts, Don Casey is second choice.
In the meantime, the Nets owners are stepping up the recruitment pressure. Their pledges to Jackson, who they took for a fancy plane ride when he was in New Jersey last weekend, keep piling up:
A weekly escape clause. A life unlike Pat Riley. When he sets up the triangle offense, he can pick which three Turnpike rest stops it’s based on. No away games with the Bulls. An 8-year White House sublet for Bill Bradley. Should the Nets win a title, he’ll have an option to buy Bill Cosby. Just think, should Jackson come to the Nets, he’ll automatically become the team’s most quoted philosopher since Micheal Richardson.
Upon hearing the possible Jackson-to-the-Nets scenario, Roy Boe offered to buy back the team, so he can sell Phil to the 76ers. *CONTRARY to reports, Larry Bird isn’t planning to drop out of coaching after this season. When he took the Pacers job two seasons ago, he committed to three years, the idea being he’d then move into Indiana’ front office. Since Bird hasn’t told Donnie Walsh anything to change that arrangement, differently, the team president is taking Bird on his original word.
What else do you have to know? Only that Bird and Walsh talk all the time about what they’re going to do this summer, in terms of mini-camps, draft picks, free agents, whatever. Win or lose a championship, go to sleep on Bird riding Reggie Miller and Rik Smits into the Pacers’ new arena next season.
The Nuggets and Wizards, both willing to spend big for a marquee name, also covet Jackson’s services. Mike D’Antoni, at odds with GM Dan Issel over how much of an investment should be made in free agent Nick Van Exel, may be demoted regardless of Jackson’s decision. Why do I get the distinct impression Issel may be back in coaching next season?
Larry Brown likes his 76ers’ heart and hustle so much he’s thinking of sticking around here for the rest of the season.
