Phil Jackson is back in the NBA. Sort of.
According to Keith Langlois of NBA.com, Jackson has agreed to advise the Detroit Pistons on their latest head-coaching search:
Tom Gores’ vow to use every available resource to restore the Pistons to greatness has led him to Phil Jackson, who has agreed to serve in an advisory capacity in the franchise’s search for a head coach.
“Phil Jackson is a friend and one of the best minds in the business,” Gores said. “We are thrilled to have him as an adviser as we make some very important decisions for this franchise. Joe (Dumars) and I discussed this and he and I are in full agreement that this is a great opportunity.”
Though Jackson has not accepted a formal position with the team, perhaps this is the return to the NBA that he has been “itching” for. Either that, or he’s tempting to dissuade the Toronto Raptors from continuing their pursuit of him.
Jackson is known to prefer a front-office role to coaching at this point and the latest development could be his first step towards procuring the former. With the Sacramento Kings unlikely to relocate to Seattle, it remains to be seen where Jackson could set up shop. Once again, Toronto is known to be interested, and he is now officially linked to the Pistons. Other rebuilding teams would likely hit his radar as well. Jackson wants to be in a situation where he can have control over the franchise’s future and help construct it from the ground up.
Taking on Jackson even in an advisory role is a savvy move for the Pistons, though. After parting ways with Lawrence Frank, Detroit must now sift through the vast array of head-coaching candidates, and find who fits best.
As an 11-time coaching champion, Jackson is more than qualified to offer his two-cents on the matter. I’m pretty sure the Pistons would welcome him back to the sidelines if they could, but having him assist in the ultimate selection is the next best thing.
What remains to be seen is what type of coach Jackson and the Pistons will look to go after. Will they feel compelled to chase marquee sideline meanders like Nate McMillan or Stan Van Gundy, or will they be looking at first-timers like assistants Mike Malone of the Golden State Warriors and Brian Shaw of the Indiana Pacers?
Shaw is an especially intriguing possibility. He spent ample time under Jackson with the Los Angeles Lakers and is considered one of the league’s premier assistants. With the Zen Master now providing some input, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him emerge as the leading candidate.
For Jackson, though, you have to wonder what this means. Will he eventually sign on with the Pistons in a larger capacity, is this merely practice or is he just attempting to bolster his resume, and use this as leverage for another position? Or is it simply just him helping out a friend?
Whatever the premise, this has to be the first step of something bigger, whether that be with the Pistons or any other team that isn’t the Lakers.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com. Follow @danfavale on Twitter for his latest posts and all things NBA.
