Phil Jackson Return to Lakers: 99.9% Assured

I think we all know that Phil Jackson will be returning to the Los Angeles Lakers coaching staff next season regardless of what he has said and the fact that no decision has officially been made, but as of today, the same day that Ron Artest is officially a Laker, Phil Jackson is said to be 99.9% assured to return next season as the Los Angeles Lakers head coach.

It is no secret that Phil Jackson's body is starting to breakdown, it is painful just to watch him walk and to think he travels with the team throughout their 82 game season and into the playoffs where the Lakers have gone the distance the past two seasons, that has to wear on him.

Yes, all Phil has to do throughout the game is sit on his ass. Yes, Kobe seems to be taking over most of the coaching duties on the bench lately, but Phil Jackson's job is no easy task and can be extremely draining for an ex-athlete who's body just doesn't agree with him anymore.

Is it time to take it easy? Probably, but I can't blame the guy for wanting to stick around with the Lakers team his has right now. The Lakers will be competing for a title for at least the next five years until Kobe starts to show signs of age.

One thing we might see as the result of a Phil Jackson's return to the bench is the hall of fame coach only coaching home games and leaving the away game duties to Kurt Rambis and Brian Shaw as a way to limit travel and usher in a successor to arguably the best NBA coach all-time.

Whatever the case may be I am sure we will see big Phil coaching the Lakers for at least one more season.