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Phil Jackson is to be re-appointed head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, the NBA team said on Tuesday. Jackson resigned from the post a year ago and did not coach during the 2004-2005 season. He led the Lakers to three NBA championships during his five years in charge.
The Lakers will hold a news conference later on Tuesday to announce the re-appointment.
The 59-year-old coach stepped down shortly after the team's shock defeat to the Detroit Pistons in the 2004 NBA Finals.
The Lakers struggled under his replacement Rudy Tomjanovich, who resigned in February citing ill health, and subsequently under long-time Jackson assistant Frank Hamblen.
The team failed to make the playoffs this year with an unimpressive 34-48 record, only the fifth time in the
franchise's 58-year history they had missed out on post-season play.
Jackson's departure followed a rift with the team's All Star guard Kobe Bryant.
Jackson characterized Bryant as "a callous gun for hire" and the epitome of the selfish modern player in a book which chronicled his final season in charge of the team.
Bryant re-signed with the team following Jackson's departure but the team's other superstar, center Shaquille O'Neal, was traded to the Miami Heat.
Jackson, dubbed the "Zen Master" for his interest in Eastern philosophy and unorthodox methods of handling players, also coached the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships.
Reuters - 13/06/2005
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The Lakers will hold a news conference later on Tuesday to announce the re-appointment.
The 59-year-old coach stepped down shortly after the team's shock defeat to the Detroit Pistons in the 2004 NBA Finals.
The Lakers struggled under his replacement Rudy Tomjanovich, who resigned in February citing ill health, and subsequently under long-time Jackson assistant Frank Hamblen.
The team failed to make the playoffs this year with an unimpressive 34-48 record, only the fifth time in the
franchise's 58-year history they had missed out on post-season play.
Jackson's departure followed a rift with the team's All Star guard Kobe Bryant.
Jackson characterized Bryant as "a callous gun for hire" and the epitome of the selfish modern player in a book which chronicled his final season in charge of the team.
Bryant re-signed with the team following Jackson's departure but the team's other superstar, center Shaquille O'Neal, was traded to the Miami Heat.
Jackson, dubbed the "Zen Master" for his interest in Eastern philosophy and unorthodox methods of handling players, also coached the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships.
Reuters - 13/06/2005
:extatic:
