| 25 May 2010
The caption on the above SI cover says "Can Phil Jackson coach the Bulls' to another title?" That is the question indeed.
Perhaps the Zen-Master has gotten sentimental in his old age? Chris Broussard of ESPN is reporting that the Bulls are trying gauge Phil Jackson's interest in returning to the organization that he began his coaching career with. Apparently, they have been reaching out to him through "backchannels". According to the report, Phil may be open to a return.
"There has been no direct contact between Bulls officials and Jackson, according to the sources, but people close to both parties have spoken and come away with the belief that Jackson would be open to a potential reunion in Chicago next season."
So basically, the Bulls are trying to avoid any fines or tampering charges by sending randoms to talk with Phil's "people" and figure out where his mental is at. Fair enough. I like where their heads are. This report can only help the Bulls' cause when it comes to landing LeBron James and help him further lean towards a landing in Chicago. Can you imagine a Phil Jackson reunion on top of the Bulls landing the biggest free agent in NBA history? It would be our rightful return to the throne. Back to where this franchise belongs, people. And as for Phil? He should count his lucky stars if he can come here and coach LeBron, Derrick, and Joakim. The man will have coached Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Shaquile O'Neal, and LeBron James...quite possibly the best 4 professional basketball players of all time. Are you kidding me?
But who knows how true any of this is or the odds of anything actually happening. All these backchannel rumors could actually mean nothing and who knows what Phil actually thinks. After all, he did burn some bridges here back in the day. But Jerry Krause has long since been run out of town and things are quite a bit different now. And if there's one thing I've learned throughout the years both in sports and in life is...where there's smoke, there's usually fire.
Here is a video of Broussard talking to Wilbon about LeBron as well as going after Jackson from earlier tonight before the report of the "backchannel" talks came out.
Hey, I welcome that possibility...and so should you.
