Lakers, Jackson Feeling ‘Terrific’

If this was a campaign, the party would be already planned, the band would be warming up and Phil Jackson, the Lakers’ coach-elect, would be clearing his throat for a victory speech.

He has been nominated, and, barring a stunning change of heart, he will serve.

On Monday, for the first time in this process, Laker executives Jerry West and Mitch Kupchak talked to Jackson by phone from Montana, a discussion West later described as “terrific.”

“We talked about a lot of different things,” said West, who added that he could not yet predict when the expected four-year, $24-million deal would be finalized.

“We talked about some players on our team, talked about the facilities that we’re going to have here . . . Just things that you would expect he would have an interest in.”

West said that he and Kupchak were interested in hearing Jackson’s views and vision, and after the conversation was over, it was “pretty much” left for Jackson and his agent, Todd Musburger, to get back to the Lakers.

“I know Phil,” West said. “It’s not like I don’t know him. But I think it’s always good to see what anyone that you’re talking to has in mind. As I said, it was a good conversation.”

Earlier in the day, Musburger spoke about the mutual respect that his client and the Lakers have for each other as they approach the official hiring.

“There’s a lot of logic in this,” said Musburger, who is in the L.A.-area “It’s a very nice match. They’ve got a great organization and Phil is a coach of legendary stature.”

Musburger also cautioned that the Lakers and Jackson, who just arrived home in Montana after an Alaskan vacation, have things to consider before a final announcement can be made.

“I think certainly both sides are hopeful an agreement can be reached,” Musburger said.

“I think we just need to spend some time discussing and analyzing some things, to make sure we do it right instead of rushing due to any kind of outside pressures.”

So, the date and time for the most-anticipated Laker coaching hiring of all time is still unannounced, undecided . . . and unmistakably imminent.

But, in the clearest terms yet enunciated, Musburger on Monday outlined the reasons why Jackson, who resigned from the Chicago Bulls’ coaching position in 1998 after winning six championships, considers the Lakers such an intriguing opportunity.

And Musburger echoed the sentiments of a handful of Laker sources--Jackson is excited because he believes the current Laker nucleus can win a championship and has little reason to want to restock the Lakers with Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman or any of his old Bulls.

“Should Phil come to the Lakers, those are things that Phil will speak about and decide himself,” Musburger said when asked about speculation that Jackson might want to trade for Pippen and sign Rodman.

“But I can say this--I don’t think there’s anybody in the NBA who looks at the Laker roster and says, ‘We’ve got to do this or do that or else we won’t be successful.’ . . .

“In Chicago, they fell in love with that group so much that I think it’s like a fantasy for them to think that team could be reassembled. But that’s really what it is, just a pleasant fantasy.”

Several Laker sources have indicated that there is no chance the team would trade Glen Rice for Pippen (and his $14-million-a-year salary), and that after their recent nightmare experience with Rodman, re-signing the erratic forward isn’t even being contemplated.

So why has Jackson, 53, zeroed in on the Lakers after bypassing offers from several other teams, including at least one, from the New Jersey Nets, that included financial terms far in excess of the Laker package?

Why would the man who coached Michael Jordan to six championships, then walked away, want to join a team with Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and several seasons of postseason frustration?

Musburger, without mentioning Jackson’s well-documented struggles with Bull General Manager Jerry Krause, said that the Laker franchise is well set up for a smooth run to a championship.

“Phil has had a tremendous career, and he obviously had the benefit of one of the greatest all-time athletes on his team, with a terrific subordinate cast,” Musburger said.

“I think if he were to come to the Lakers, there’s no surprise at why that decision would be made. I think you have a wonderful enthusiasm and support from the fans, and I think there’s a very committed ownership and management group. And I think there is a roster of players full of possibilities.”

As far as the timing of his hiring, Jackson will definitely be in L.A. for Thursday’s fund-raising dinner for his friend, former Sen. Bill Bradley, Musburger said, and possibly earlier.

Several Laker sources indicated Monday that, barring unforeseen complications, the team presumed it would introduce Jackson as its new coach before Thursday night.

One source pointed to Wednesday as the most likely date of the Jackson ceremonies.

“He is eager to learn more [about the Laker offer],” Musburger said. “I think Phil’s always been open about his admiration for the organization and obviously any basketball man has to admire the players that have been assembled here.”