Just as the Jackson to Kings news is dying down...

[JoMal]

http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/46439.htm

To learn his sources, the local Rise Guys on 1140 AM got an interview with Berman this morning, who said his sources come from people around Jackson who he talks to and knows his mind. Okay, but Berman kept referring to Rick as Aaa-delman, pronouncing the first "A" like in able. After he was on, the Rise Guys dismissed him as not knowing anything new.

But he was writing from a Knicks point of view, in that Thomas apparently likes Adelman's basketball coaching style and if things don't work out in Los Angeles for Jackson, Phil's next logical choice for many reasons would be Sacramento, which leaves Rick unemployed and coveted by Isiah Thomas in New York, among many others.

By Marc Berman

May 12, 2005 -- The Knicks are expected to get a run for their money from the Kings for the services of Phil Jackson.
Sources close to the Zen Master say the Kings offer a lot of intriguing possibilities and could be the pick if he does not return to the Lakers.

If Jackson does head to the Kings, that could open up a window of opportunity for Isiah Thomas to pursue current Kings coach Rick Adelman, who would be unemployed. Adelman has just one year left on his pact and is said to be angry the Kings contacted agent Todd Musburger before consulting him.

Jackson considers ownership of utmost importance, and it's known he has a strong liking for the Maloof family. Jackson spent a weekend at the Maloof-owned Palms Hotel in Las Vegas last August for Michael Jordan's fantasy camp. He also attended the Maloof Family Holiday Party in Los Angeles in December.

Two of Jackson's children now reside in the Bay Area, close to Sacramento. It's also known his girlfriend, Lakers VP Jeanie Buss, if Jackson cannot land back in L.A., would prefer him in Sacramento, only a commuter flight away from La-La Land.

The final factor in the Kings' favor is they are closer to a championship than any other team in the mix — including the Lakers, Knicks and Blazers.

On Tuesday, Musburger told The Post, "We are flying in a no-comment zone. We are trying to conduct private business, unfortunately, in view of the public."

 

Meanwhile, Thomas has spoken to more than a half-dozen coaches, even assistants such as Washington's Mike O'Koren and Indiana's Mike Brown. P.J. Carlesimo and Maurice Cheeks are high on Isiah's list, and it appears Flip Saunders is closer to being hired by Portland or Cleveland. Herb Williams still is in the mix.

Other coaches who are available are Eric Musselman and Dan Issel.

It is unclear if Thomas has asked the Kings' permission to talk to Adelman, who prefers an up-tempo offense Isiah likes.

A few days ago, when the Kings' rumors surfaced following their playoff ouster, Adelman said, "The Maloofs have treated me so good and have been so loyal to me that if that indeed happened, I have been here seven years and I'd be surprised. I think I deserve a little better than that."

 
 

[JoMal]

As a side note to all of this, that Berman guy did mention one other thing about Phil Jackson's relationship with Buss and the Lakers. If Phil's agent has any influence over Jackson, and he certainly does have Jackson's trust, according to Berman, Musberger would like to tell Buss to go to hell unless the financial offer includes part ownership and at least a ten million dollar a year contract. Apparently, Musburger is more angry at the Lakers then even Jackson is because of how they parted ways, and he is not in a very forgiving mood when it comes to negotiations with the Lakers.

But if they can actually work out the differences, Jackson's first choice still is to go back and coach the Lakers. But Musburger will make them pay. Ouch!!