As Phil Jackson makes his rounds to promote his new book, "Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success," he's made sure to leave no stone unturned.
First he set off the age-old Jordan vs. Kobe debate after writing that Michael Jordan was tougher and more charismatic than Kobe Bryant. Jackson later went on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno to talk Kobe/MJ, his future, Mike D'Antoni and more.
Days later, Jackson is at it again, telling ESPN's Mike & Mike in the Morning that he "laughed" when Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak informed him the Lakers' coaching job had gone to D'Antoni.
"It was humorous to me when Mitch said that we think that Mike is a better coach for this group of guys," Jackson said on Wednesday.
"When Mitch gave me the call close to midnight on Sunday night right before I was going to give them an answer Monday morning and said, 'We've made a choice. We're going to hire Mike D'Antoni. We think he's the best coach for this group of guys,' My answer was, 'For Steve Nash, yes, I agree, but for Dwight Howard, I'm not so sure.'"
At least Howard isn't the only one voicing his displeasure with D'Antoni this week.
"It was OK with me if that's what they wanted to do. In fact, there was a little part of me that felt relief in not having to strap it up and make the decision and get on the road," Jackson said.
As far as his future, Jackson addressed rumors of him being a possible candidate for the Clippers' opening after the firing of Vinny Del Negro.
"I don't see myself coaching again, I really don't," Jackson said. "When I discussed this with Jeanie Buss, she said, 'Make sure you tell them that Jeanie still thinks you can coach even though you might say you're not going to coach again.' Jeanie still thinks I can coach, but I'm not going to go there."
