If Tomjanovich does resign after just seven months on the job, team sources said Lakers owner Jerry Buss is prepared to make an offer to Phil Jackson to return as coach. Buss let Jackson go after last season. The Lakers were not blindsided by Tomjanovich's decision, team sources said Tuesday. Tomjanovich and Buss talked after Friday night's loss to the New Jersey Nets, sources said, and Tomjanovich was "not happy" that he was "not getting support" from the organization. Riverside Press-Enterprise
"Jackson is vacationing in Australia with Luc Longley, who played center for him with the Chicago Bulls. When asked in an e-mail about any possible scenario in which he would return to the Lakers, Jackson said: "[i am] mulling that over in my mind. Luc and I are going for a swim this p.m. [in the] Indian Ocean." Bryant sat on the Laker bench after the meeting and appeared to be in a playful mood, smiling and talking with teammates. Bryant has been sidelined since Jan. 13 and has sat out nine games because of a severely sprained ankle." Los Angeles Times
"Some of Jackson's friends said he is intrigued by the possibility of coaching the Lakers again, with Bryant and Odom still here. The New York Knicks are also interested in hiring Jackson. "We haven't heard anything," Brian Musburger, one of Jackson's agents, said in a phone interview Tuesday." Riverside Press-Enterprise
"But Laker sources said Bryant was asked in the meeting what he would think if Jackson were approached about returning, and Bryant said he would agree to it." Los Angeles Times
"The sources said Buss told Bryant that Jackson's hiring would reduce the pressure on the Laker star since the departure of Jackson and center Shaquille O'Neal, who was traded in July to the Miami Heat." Los Angeles Times