Jackson-To-Orlando Discussions Still Alive After New Front Office Proposal

[cruzg24]

"The pitch for Phil Jackson to run the Orlando Magic isn't dead just yet.

Five days after the Orlando Sentinel reported that the former Lakers and Bulls coach with 11 championship rings had "bowed out" of a plan to be the lead personnel man for the Magic, two sources close to the situation told SI.com that a revised version of the proposal that still included Jackson's involvement was submitted to the team Tuesday morning.

Former Charlotte coach Sam Vincent, who played for the Bulls during Jackson's days as an assistant in Chicago and also played for the Magic, continues to captain the cause that would have Jackson work remotely (likely from Los Angeles, where his longtime girlfriend, Jeanie Buss, remains with the Lakers) most of the time. Vincent would operate in a front-office role in the plan, while the team would be coached by a protégé (or two) of Jackson's.

According to the sources, the latest version of the proposal has Pacers assistant and ex-Lakers assistant Brian Shaw coaching the team and Hall of Famer and Bulls ambassador Scottie Pippen as the lead assistant. And as if Jackson's potential price tag wasn't daunting enough (he earned $12 million in his last year with the Lakers), one of the sources said he is asking for a slice of minority ownership in the franchise as well. The hope, of course, would be for Jackson to use his cachet to convince Dwight Howard to remain in Orlando for the long-term. Jackson's agent, Todd Musburger, did not return a call for comment."

Source: SI.com

 

[elcheato]

I hope Phil is as good at drafting once in a generation superstars as he is at coaching them.

 

[Pugz]

building a super front office and hopeful coaching staff still likely wouldn't keep dwight around because they cant make any trades or sign people. id like to see all this happen though.

 

[Big Bid'Ness]

From:realgm

Agent: Jackson Has Never Expressed Interest In Orlando Job

Both the agents for Phil Jackson and an Orlando Magic source denied Wednesday any contact between the parties about a role in the front office.

Sam Vincent was freelancing a proposal with no authorization to speak for the Magic, the agents said.

"One, Phil never voiced any interest in Orlando," Todd Musburger said "never had us check it out, never checked it out himself. Two, Orlando never called."

The Magic's list of general manager candidates remains at five: former Portland general manager Kevin Pritchard, Oklahoma City assistant general manager Troy Weaver, Thunder assistant general manager Rob Hennigan, Spurs assistant general manager Dennis Lindsey and former Hornets general manager Jeff Bower. Former Pacers and Knicks executive Donnie Walsh had been on the list, but Walsh removed himself from consideration last week.