Phil Of The Future

As most teams in the NBA were anxiously waiting to find out where this year's most coveted free-agents were headed, one team in particular who wasn't in the sweepstakes for this offseason's marquee names were the Los Angeles Lakers. Instead of hoping to land a big name player, the repeating champions of the basketball world were hoping to re-land their future Hall of Fame coach of 12 years -- Phil Jackson. Jackson was reported as possibly retiring once he heard rumors that returning to the team for a 13th year would cost him a large portion of his paycheck. Jackson would have to settle for a seven million dollar pay-cut from $12 Million to $5 Million if he indeed decided to return to coach in Hollywood. However, it seems the relationship between Phil and Lakers owner Jerry Buss' daughter Jeanie Buss has once again prevailed, won over and encouraged him to return to the sidelines. Then again it could be the desire for a 12th ring and a third three-peat.

A key cog in the Lakers chances of three-peating next season hung on a thread when uncertainty was in the air of whether or not the Zen Master would continue to coach the team he's helped win 5-NBA Championships in 11-years. The one season without Jackson in '04-'05, the Lakers finished with a dismal record of 34-wins and 48-losses and failed to make it to the Playoffs. When first hearing about the pay-cut the Lakers organization wanted Phil to take, I thought the chances of him returning were slim to none unless he decided to coach home games only which was a possibility once upon a time due to his health. But after giving it tremendous thought and consulting his doctor, Phil made it public that he would return for what he called his, "Last Hurrah." With Jackson set to return, another question to be asked amongst Laker fans is, 'Famar or Fisher?'

The veteran Fisher who is a free agent this offseason has been in the NBA for 14 years, playing 11 of them in L.A.. Alongside Bryant, Fisher is the only remaining Laker player to stick around since the team won back-to-back-to-back championships in the early 2000's despite a brief hiatus from the Lakeshow where he split stints from 2004-2007 playing with both the Golden State Warriors ('04-'06) and the Utah Jazz ('06-'07). With his veteran leadership, Fisher played a significant role in the Lakers back-to-back role this year. But similar to Phil Jackson's case, Fisher would also have to take a pay-cut if he plans to take part in the Lakers shot at third straight NBA tittle. Hometown kid and UCLA alum Jordan Farmar on the other hand has shown talent at times, but it's unknown if the 23 year old point-guard is ready to take control of an All-Star cast. Why can't the Lakers keep both of them you ask? Earlier this week it was learned that the Lakers signed PG Steve Blake to a 4-year, $16 Million dollar contract. Whether or not that rules out any interest on Fisher's part is not yet known.

Dr. Feelgood - Another head coaching job that was recently secured was that of the Boston Celtics. Prior to surprising the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic in the NBA Playoffs, Doc Rivers made public that the 2009-2010 season would be his last as the coach in Boston due to the desire of spending more time with his family and watching his kids finish high school. But after coaching the C's to their second NBA Finals appearance in three years and consulting his family, his kids told him to return to doing the one thing he loves doing best -- coaching. With Rivers scheduled to honor the last year of his contract with the Celtics, has his return to the team encouraged Paul Peirce to stay put in Boston? And speaking of the Celtics, the team has reported that they've come to terms with Power forward/Center Jermain O'Neal, signing him to a 2-year deal.