Winter Not Sure About Next Season

Tex Winter, master of the triangle offense and Phil Jackson’s right hand for seven NBA championships, continues to mull his retirement, at 77.

He admitted Tuesday that the Laker play in recent weeks has made his job more joyful, but he would not say it was enough to bring him back for a 55th season as a basketball coach.

“The season was a lot more enjoyable going down the stretch than it was at one point, when there seemed to be a lot of, uh, distractions,” he said. “It takes the interest out of it. It takes the fun out of it. A coaching staff can do a lot better job when a team is responsive, they’re paying attention, they’re interested in what we’re doing. That’s one of the reasons we’ve been able to turn it around a little bit.”

It is too early for the organization to consider fine details such as assistant coaches and roster moves for next season.

“The key to that, to whether or not I come back, is No. 1, I’m going to have to be wanted. I have to feel like I’m needed,” Winter said. “You know, sometimes you wonder. Phil can keep you guessing, just like he does everybody else. We haven’t talked yet, let’s put it that way.”

Winter said the Lakers turned around their season, in part, when Kobe Bryant returned so seamlessly to their offense.

“There’s no better learning experience in my opinion sometimes as being on that bench and seeing what’s happening out there on that court,” he said. “Their view then is not necessarily self-centered. They see the whole picture. It’s just a shame. They ought to be required to have an internship coaching one year before they play. They’d be more responsive and they’d be better players.”

With Tyronn Lue and Brian Shaw struggling, Ron Harper played five minutes, missing his only shot.

Greg Foster, who has a sprained right foot, arrived at Staples Center on Tuesday night limping, and watched Game 2 in street clothes.

“It’s getting better every day,” Foster said, “but I still can’t come off my toe.”

Sustained a week before, the injury hinders his running and jumping. “All basketball things,” he said.