LOS ANGELES, (Reuters) – Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson will stay in charge for the 2009-10 season, he said yesterday as he ended speculation about his future.
Jackson, who collected a record 10th championship ring when the Lakers beat the Orlando Magic 4-1 in last month’s NBA Finals, made the decision after having several medical tests.
“After consulting with Lakers team internist Dr. John Moe, I feel confident that I can gainfully pursue an NBA season with another long playoff post-season,” Jackson said in a statement on the Lakers website ((http://www.nba.com/lakers).
“All things point to go!”
Jackson, who will turn 64 in September, has had both hips replaced and underwent an angioplasty procedure in 2003 to open a clogged artery in his heart.
Last season, he missed two West Coast road games because of painful swelling in his lower right leg.
But under his astute guidance the Lakers clinched their 15th championship against the Magic and appear likely to add more titles in the next few seasons.
Eleven times All-Star Kobe Bryant, 30, and 34-year-old Derek Fisher are the experienced players in the Lakers starting lineup with additional high-quality experience coming from forwards Lamar Odom, 29, and Spaniard Pau Gasol, 28.
Jackson, whose 10th NBA title eclipsed the record he shared for seven years with Red Auerbach, will embark on a 19th season in the NBA.
He won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls between 1991 and 1998 before moving to Los Angeles in 1999 and guiding the Lakers to the NBA crown in his first three seasons.
The fastest coach to reach 1,000 career victories, Jackson’s total of 1,041 wins ranks sixth in the all-time list while his winning percentage of .705 is unsurpassed.
