National Basketball Association

Friendly advice: Hang 'em up, Phil

Published Jun. 24, 2010 2:27 a.m. ET

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Less than a week after Phil Jackson coached the Lakers to still another NBA title, he has publicly stated that he’s leaning toward retiring.

I have no inside info on Phil’s ultimate decision, but since our friendship has lasted for well over 35 years, I do have strong feelings as to what would be his most appropriate move. That is, to indeed retire.

Here are my reasons:

• PJ’s 11 rings have already established his legacy as being the best coach in the history of the NBA.

• Some fans have argued that his accomplishments are somewhat tainted because he had the good fortune to coach such all-time great players as Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and now Pau Gasol. It should be noted, however, that championships are only won with great players and that, over the course of his career, Red Auerbach coached more Hall of Famers than Phil will wind up coaching.

• As to those who believe that Phil has never taken a bad team and built a championship team, his particular gift is taking teams (and players) that haven’t won rings and allowed them to take that next most difficult step. Prior to Phil’s taking over their respective teams, MJ, Pip, Kobe and Shaq totaled 18 ringless seasons.

• However, I’m much more concerned with Phil’s physical well-being than with his legacy. He’s already had two hip replacements, a stent placed in his heart, a painful bout with a kidney stone, and various other ailments that have severely reduced his mobility and made him dependent on meds that often have negative side effects. Moreover, one of his knees is in dire need of corrective surgery.

• Because of PJ’s past surgeries, he’s also unable to maintain a satisfactory level of aerobic health — which as he approaches his 65th birthday becomes increasingly critical.

• Even the youngest and healthiest of his peers are inevitably worn down by the incessant traveling and workaday stress.

• And what would ultimately be proved by the possibility/probability of his winning a 12th ring and racking up another three-peat in L.A.?

So, with all due affection and respect, it says here that it’s time for Phil to hang up his whistle.

If this turns out to be his eventual decision, then another decision will arise: What will Phil do next?

During the interim between his first and second go-rounds with the Lakers, Phil did some traveling — a motorcycle journey through Australia and New Zealand, plus stopovers in Fiji. He also delivered talks to big-time CEOs about the theory and practice of corporate teamwork. However, none of those ventures could quite satisfy the deep-seated competitive edge that has always motivated Phil — and which undoubtedly still does.

So here’s an unsolicited suggestion: Hook up with some team or other that’s both willing and eager to make PJ the VP in charge of basketball operations. A wise and visionary organization that will allow Phil to select a coach who will perpetuate his own successful philosophies (including but not limited to the triangle offense); have a significant voice in player personnel, and in the specifics of how the organization conducts its basketball business.

This would greatly reduce the heavy-duty traveling, the aggravation of having to deal with referee’s incompetence, the daily soothing of and confrontations with players’ egos — while still enabling Phil to use his expertise and to keep his competitive spirit fired up.

PJ’s tremendous presence and super-positive influence on the game are too precious to be so suddenly and so unequivocally lost.

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