http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2050145
Cavs, Jackson spoke this weekESPN.com news services
The Cleveland Cavaliers acknowledged Friday that they have initiated contact with coaching free agent Phil Jackson, according to ESPN.com's Marc Stein.
The Cavaliers confirmed to Stein that the club's new management team -- which is looking for a coach and a GM -- had its first coversation with Jackson this week.
Cleveland is widely considered the No. 3 suitor for Jackson behind the Lakers and Knicks. Yet it can be argued that the Cleveland situation is more attractive, in pure basketball terms, than either of the marquee teams with whom Jackson still has emotional ties.
Moving up quickly in the standings would be easier for the Cavs, in the East, than for the financially strapped Knicks or for the Lakers in the mighty West … mainly because of the presence of LeBron James on the roster. The Cavaliers are also expected have considerable salary-cap room this summer to re-shape their roster around James.
It's also believed that new owner Dan Gilbert would be willing to outbid the Lakers or the Knicks for Jackson.
Jackson has already talked to both the Knicks and Lakers about their head coaching positions.
Jackson had a "very good" meeting with Knicks president Isiah Thomas on Monday in Los Angeles, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith reported.
And ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher reported that Jackson already has spoken to Lakers owner Jerry Buss and plans to speak with him again soon.
Jackson also was scheduled to meet with Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles this week, according to Bucher.
However, sources close to Bryant said that he has not heard from Jackson about a possible meeting between the two. The sources said Bryant would not be opposed to such a get-together.
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:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:
Apparently Gilbert has talked to Phil Jackson. Gilbert taking a step in the right direction.
I especially like this part..
Gilbert willing to spend to get what he wants! :w00t:
Cavs, Jackson spoke this weekESPN.com news services
The Cleveland Cavaliers acknowledged Friday that they have initiated contact with coaching free agent Phil Jackson, according to ESPN.com's Marc Stein.
The Cavaliers confirmed to Stein that the club's new management team -- which is looking for a coach and a GM -- had its first coversation with Jackson this week.
Cleveland is widely considered the No. 3 suitor for Jackson behind the Lakers and Knicks. Yet it can be argued that the Cleveland situation is more attractive, in pure basketball terms, than either of the marquee teams with whom Jackson still has emotional ties.
Moving up quickly in the standings would be easier for the Cavs, in the East, than for the financially strapped Knicks or for the Lakers in the mighty West … mainly because of the presence of LeBron James on the roster. The Cavaliers are also expected have considerable salary-cap room this summer to re-shape their roster around James.
It's also believed that new owner Dan Gilbert would be willing to outbid the Lakers or the Knicks for Jackson.
Jackson has already talked to both the Knicks and Lakers about their head coaching positions.
Jackson had a "very good" meeting with Knicks president Isiah Thomas on Monday in Los Angeles, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith reported.
And ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher reported that Jackson already has spoken to Lakers owner Jerry Buss and plans to speak with him again soon.
Jackson also was scheduled to meet with Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles this week, according to Bucher.
However, sources close to Bryant said that he has not heard from Jackson about a possible meeting between the two. The sources said Bryant would not be opposed to such a get-together.
--------------------------------------------------------------
:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:
Apparently Gilbert has talked to Phil Jackson. Gilbert taking a step in the right direction.
I especially like this part..
It's also believed that new owner Dan Gilbert would be willing to outbid the Lakers or the Knicks for Jackson.
Gilbert willing to spend to get what he wants! :w00t: