With a couple weeks in the books for Mike D’Antoni as the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, the drama involving Phil Jackson being pushed aside has subsided.
A few big names have come out in support of Phil and the way he was treated by the Lakers organization like Magic Johnson and Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers, but Jackson has yet to make say anything on camera about the situation until now.
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The 11-time NBA champion was spotted in Santa Barbara, California recently and the Zen Master had this to say about the situation with Lakers via TMZ:
Lakers brass decided to go with Mike D’Antoni in a “midnight coup.”
When he was asked if he felt the Lakers treated him unfairly during the negotiations. Jackson explained, “We never discussed any terms … so there was never anything unfair about it.”
Chances of him ever coaching in the NBA again are “slim and none.”
In classic Jackson fashion, with a clam demeanor, the former Lakers coach obviously was interested in the job, but isn’t terribly disappointed about not ultimately signing on with the team for a third tour.
The only part of the situation that likely bothers Jackson more than anything is the fact that he seriously considered a return to coaching after being reluctant to do so and the Lakers decided to go in another direction.
On the surface, there appears to be no hard feeling, but it’s safe to say that Jackson still has a bad taste in his mouth after the whole ordeal went down a few weeks ago.
