Los Angeles Lakers: Frank Vogel hiring reveals who maybe in charge

Phil Jackson will end up in a position similar to Jerry West across the hall

Yes, Los Angeles Lakers fans, you heard it here first. I truly believe that Phil Jackson will eventually be given an official role similar to Jerry West as a consultant role with just as much power. I mean it’s not hard to figure out if you put all of the history together. When Phil Jackson was in New York running the franchise into the ground, who was there? Kurt Rambis.

When Derek Fisher embarrassed the Knicks as head coach on and off the court, who was the lead assistant? Kurt Rambis! How about when Jeff Hornacek was stuck with trying to navigate the triangle offense while Phil Jackson and Carmelo Anthony were beefing? Yep, Kurt Rambis.

You see, in the corporate world, there is always that one guy that can stay employed in high-powered positions based on who they know. Kurt Rambis should be in the dictionary next to the definition.

Like did anyone really think this was a coincidence?

If I remember, this was around the time that Luke Walton was on the hot seat. Phil Jackson has always fancied having a high-ranking position with the Lakers. This goes back to when he was coaching during the three-peat Shaquille O’Neal/Kobe Bryant years. He didn’t have the rosiest relationship with Jerry West back then. That’s one of the reasons why Jerry West stepped down.

Starting to figure out why the Lakers haven’t picked up the phone to call Jerry West yet? As a journalist, I really hope that the reason Phil Jackson is a potential power broker in the front office is not because he was Jeanie Buss’ former fiancee, I really don’t.

But this long list of missteps over 39 months that the New York Knicks are still paying for to this day proves that Phil Jackson decisions should be limited to paper or plastic.

It’s also no secret that Jeanie Buss is perturbed over the success of the crosstown Clippers and it would be no surprise to hand Phil Jackson a similar position to get under Jerry West’s skin.

Now let’s assume I am correct and Phil Jackson has the pull that I am talking about. It’ll end badly, but the drama will be endless.