The Los Angeles Lakers’ Guide to Spinning Bad Publicity

It's impossible to know what really happened in the Phil Jackson-Lakers affair (or the Mike Brown hubbub, or the D'Antoni imbroglio, or whatever you want to call it). There are so many anonymous sources, so many competing agendas. I'm inclined to believe Phil Jackson because he came out and stood by his statement, but I trust the non-anonymous sources.

According to the legendary coach (via the New York Daily News), this is how it all unfolded:

Saturday morning, Jim Buss, called to ask if he could come and visit. I did not solicit or ask for the opportunity, but I welcomed both he and Mitch Kupchak into my home to discuss the possibility of my return to the Lakers as the head coach. We talked for over an hour and a half. 

No contractual terms were discussed and we concluded with a hand shake and an understanding that I would have until Monday (today) to come back to them with my decision. I did convey to them that I did have the confidence that I could do the job. 

I was awakened at midnight on Sunday by a phone call from Mitch Kupchak. He told me that the Lakers had signed Mike D'Antoni to a 3-year agreement and that they felt he was the best coach for the team. The decision is of course theirs to make. I am gratified by the groundswell of support from the Laker Fans who endorsed my return and it is the principal reason why I considered the possibility.



I love how Jackson tweaks Lakers management by appealing to Lakers fan sentiments. The tacit charge is, "I'm more popular than you are." Jackson also blasted Lakers management decorum to the Los Angeles Times, saying:

I wish it would have been a little bit cleaner. It would have been much more circumspect and respectful of everybody that's involved. It seemed slimy to be awoken with this kind of news. It's just weird.

 

So, this is something of an ugly situation for the Lakers. The fan...