Jackson in No Rush to Coach

When Phil Jackson isn’t picking out light fixtures and installing floorboards at the home he’s creating in Montana, he might have to come to the phone for inquiries into his availability.

At which point, he will politely decline ... at least for this season.

There will be speculation that Jackson, the former Laker coach, will come back and coach as contenders fade into has-beens and a handful of NBA coaches feel the heat.

But Jackson, who has been described as bored at times and stimulated at others while reclining and rebuilding in Montana, will most likely decline any and all offers this season.

“If there’s a Phil story, it would be 2005, not 2004,” Jackson’s agent, Todd Musburger, said Wednesday. “Phil is not involved in contacting teams. If people are interested in Phil, they contact him. The reason that Phil would listen is not because he is actively seeking a coaching position. He would listen because he’s a professional, he’s a gentleman, he knows a lot of people in the league.

“He’s not actively waiting for the phone to ring. He’s not trying to curry interest. We don’t want people to feel the ‘Help Wanted’ sign is lit.”

Jackson and the Lakers parted ways June 18, with owner Jerry Buss tired of the triangle offense and Jackson accepting the change after five tumultuous, mostly successful, seasons.

Jackson, 59, has maintained contacts in Los Angeles. He is still dating Laker executive Jeanie Buss. He had lunch with former assistant Tex Winter before a recent “Basketball 101” symposium at Staples Center. He appeared locally as part of a national book-signing tour for his best-selling diary of last season.

But Jackson, who went 832-316 in 14 NBA seasons, has returned to Montana after every trip.

“I think he’s truly enjoying his time away,” Musburger said. “It was an arduous five years. As successful as they were, it was draining. Winning championships is a tough business. Getting to the Finals and losing is even tougher.

“I don’t think he’s in any hurry to step back into the pressure cooker. If you are Phil Jackson and you’ve achieved at the highest level, the expectations are so high when you go back. I think before he accepts that position again, he’s got to be absolutely clear that that’s what he wants to do -- the right situation, the right time, etc.”