Chicago Sun Times
Several teams eyeing Jackson as coach
May 14, 1999
BY LACY J. BANKS STAFF REPORTER
The race to secure Phil Jackson's
coaching services for next season is
heating up, his agent said Thursday.
``We have had some serious inquiries,
and you might say that the process is
following its natural course,'' said
Todd Musburger, Jackson's Chicago
attorney.
Asked how many teams were pursuing
Jackson, Musburger said: ``I think it
would be prudent for me to say there
have been several teams that have made
inquiries, and we have had
conversations with folks throughout the
NBA.''
Sources said those teams include the
New Jersey Nets, Washington Wizards,
Vancouver Grizzlies and Denver Nuggets.
That list could grow to include the New
York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers if
those teams do poorly in the playoffs,
and the Boston Celtics if president
Rick Pitino steps aside.
Musburger said nothing is likely to
happen until after the playoffs are
completed.
``A decision of this magnitude is not
something that is decided after one or
even two conversations, unless [a team]
can be eliminated if there is no mutual
interest,'' Musburger said.
``If there is mutual interest, then the
process moves along with a setting of
meetings and so forth. Our doors will
remain open until a final decision has
been made.''