Over the last few years, many people have criticized Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss for the way she has run the most storied franchise in basketball history.
Those critics include fans of the team who are unhappy about several moves that have been made in recent years.
After trading for nine-time All-Star guard Russell Westbrook last summer, a move that has been widely panned, the Lakers failed to reach the play-in tournament despite being expected to contend for the world championship.
Now with head coach Frank Vogel fired, the team is looking for a new bench leader, and Buss is reportedly consulting with former coach Phil Jackson for advice on the coaching search and other matters.
Jackson and Buss were in a romantic relationship for years. The two were engaged to get married until they called it off several years ago.
Buss explained to Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times why she is relying on her former boyfriend for help in fixing the Lakers.
Via Los Angeles Times:
“People see us around town, we have breakfast, lunch, dinner, whatever … it’s not anything romantic,” she said. “He’s somebody that knows this environment and knows the challenges I have and wants to see the Lakers successful, so he’s somebody I know doesn’t have any other agenda than for the Lakers to be successful, so he’s somebody that I can lean on.”
Jackson obviously knows more basketball than most others have forgotten, and he has proven to be a good judge of character, even if he isn’t as great a judge of basketball talent as some other legendary coaches.
Asking him for his input and advice here and there cannot be a bad thing, but the concern many seem to have is whether he has any sway or final say in what happens.
After he retired from coaching the Lakers in 2011, Jackson spent three years as an executive with the New York Knicks. The team failed to improve under his watch, and he was criticized for making some negative comments about team star Carmelo Anthony in public.
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