Big Shoes To Phil: 10 Best Choices to Replace Phil Jackson in LA

Replacing a legend is the by far the most difficult feat to accomplish in sports. From the moment the replacement overtakes the legend's position, they are constantly compared and contrasted to their predecessor. And about 90% of the time, the replacement is never fully embraced by fans for the simple fact he replaced the franchise's beloved legend. With Phil Jackson reportedly being asked to take a $7 million pay-cut to stay on past this season as Lakers coach and Jackson being admittedly interested in "having a beer" with new Nets owner, Russian multi-billionaire, Mikhail Prokhorov after the season, Laker fans should begin preparing themselves for the worst. In my eyes, the squabble between the "Zen Master" and the Lakers doesn't stem from a few million dollars - it stems from the lack of respect associated with those few million dollars. I mean, what other coach in any other sport has taken a pay-cut following (potential) back-to-back championships and three straight league finals appearances? The answer: none. So who really could blame Phil if he didn't dream of greener pastures where the money is long and the respect is high? You know it's certainly not lost on Phil what happened the last two times he was replaced. Tim Floyd, Phil's replacement in Chicago, became so hated in the Windy City he received death threats. Even Michael Wilbon, one of the media's most rational minds and co-host of ESPN's "Pardon the Interruption", has an irrational hatred for Floyd. I'm pretty sure Floyd is coaching rec league YMCA basketball somewhere in Tuscaloosa or something right now. (Writers note: Tim Floyd is actually currently the head coach at UTEP.) Rudy Tomjanovich, Phil's first replacement in Los Angeles, is still somewhere in a mental hospital I believe. The pressures of being Jackson's replacement and dealing with a super-petulant Kobe Bryant caused Tomjanovich to quit after just 43 games as Lakers coach. Regardless of whether the rosters inherited...