For those of you who think Phil Jackson is playing possum with his retirement then consider the following as one of the strongest indications that PJ isn’t walking through that door anymore.
Broderick Turner reports that Jim Cleamons, a longtime assistant on Jackson’s staff, is mulling over the possibility of becoming the head coach of the Puerto Rican national team. Cleamons has been a fixture next to Jackson going way back to the days in Chicago.
On the surface you can clearly see that Phil’s staff doesn’t seem to think they’ll be retained no matter who the new coach is. However what lurks beneath is the ominous threat of an NBA lockout. Cleamons says as much when discussing his interest in coaching in Puerto Rico.
"“They said they had some interest. I have some interest. It’s something I would do, especially if there is a lockout.”"
Labor issues aside, it seems only natural that Cleamons would follow a similar path as PJ. Jackson paid his dues coaching in Puerto Rico some years ago. Of course Cleamons has already had his shot at the helm of an NBA franchise. He didn’t fare so well in his one year in Dallas and has since made a career of being onboard with the greatest to ever teach the game. No same in that at all.
What is alarming is that an assistant with the pedigree of Cleamons sees the real potential of a lockout occurring. There is no doubt he’d get job offers from other NBA franchises once the dust settles on the Lakers’ coaching conundrum.
File this one away in your “Impending Signs of NBA Doom” folder. Something tells me this snack sized bite of news could be a meal once the season has concluded.