Jackson ‘Viable’ Option for Job

Laker General Manager Mitch Kupchak tried to put an 82-game season behind him Thursday, casting an eye to what lies ahead and mentioning Phil Jackson as a feasible coaching candidate to separate the Lakers from their deep-seated troubles.

As the players descended on team headquarters in El Segundo for one of the last times this season -- lockers had to be cleaned and exit meetings had to be conducted -- Kupchak said the former Laker coach was a “viable candidate.”

Jackson has been spotted at the team offices numerous times in the last two months, often to visit longtime girlfriend and team executive Jeanie Buss. Jackson also attended an April 7 game at Staples Center in the luxury suite of team owner Jerry Buss, a scene played out in front of a national television audience.

Jackson and the Lakers abruptly parted ways last June, with Buss suggesting Jackson’s triangle offense had run its course after five seasons.

“[Jackson] has spoken to us,” Kupchak said. “We’ve met with him on occasion. He was in our building a couple of times in the last two or three weeks. In fact, I was at my desk a week ago and he came in and sat down and we talked for about 45 minutes.

“The job has not been offered to anybody. At this point in time, I would characterize our relationship with Phil as casual. The interest, or the possibility remains, that he would be a coach for this team.

“The fact that he’s in the building, attending games with our owner in his box, and stopped by to say hello to me, I think that indicates there’s some interest there. What level of interest I really don’t know.”

Jackson’s agent, Todd Musburger, said there was definitely interest -- from numerous teams seeking Jackson’s availability.

“I have a feeling that Phil is on a number of lists and it seems as though the Lakers are one of many,” Musburger said.

Jackson is believed to be on the short list of at least five teams, some of whom could offer perks such as a minority ownership stake. If he decides to return to coaching, Jackson could command in the $8-million to $10-million range in annual salary.

As for the Lakers, a team source said Jackson is intrigued by their lineup. He likes the potential of forward Lamar Odom, the improved play of small forward Caron Butler, and he believes center Chris Mihm has some upside. He knows what he gets with Kobe Bryant -- a top one-on-one talent whom Jackson portrayed as an uncoachable enigma in his tell-all diary released last October.

Kupchak said he would not consult with Bryant during the Laker coaching search. Other possibilities include former Minnesota Timberwolf coach Flip Saunders and Detroit Piston Coach Larry Brown.

Many in the Laker organization understand the need for a big-name hire. Among other ignominies, the Lakers missed the playoffs for only the fifth time in the franchise’s 58-year history, finished three games behind the Clippers, and tied for 11th in the Western Conference.

There were 12 non-sellouts this season at Staples Center, more than the last four seasons combined, and the atmosphere bordered on boring in the final weeks. There were more than 3,500 no-shows for the home finale Sunday against the Dallas Mavericks.

Through it all, Kupchak has tried to remain resolute, starting with a “town-hall” meeting last week at Staples Center where he told season-ticket holders to remain on board.

“If you make the decision on one season,” he said, “you’re making a big mistake.”

At the same meeting, as questions flew about Bryant’s presence and Shaquille O’Neal’s absence and the wayward direction of the franchise, a season-ticket holder demanded Kupchak’s resignation, citing the O’Neal trade to Miami as probable cause.

The Heat finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference and O’Neal has a strong shot at adding another league most-valuable-player award.

“It will be a real tough nut to swallow if they win the championship,” a Laker official said. “It would be very, very difficult for this franchise after the trade and everything that went with it.”

Bryant averaged 26.7 points and finished second in the league in scoring, but he often had trouble incorporating teammates into the offense.

“I think at times he did that, but this is a learning process for him and for the rest of the guys on this team,” Kupchak said. “I can look to games where Kobe elevated players’ play throughout the game and for a sustained period of time. I can look at games where he didn’t. I can say the same for Lamar, Caron and Chucky [Atkins]. As a group, we have to do a better job of playing together and making each others’ game better.”

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Four assistants with ties to Rudy Tomjanovich -- Chris Bodaken, Melvin Hunt, Larry Smith, and Mike Wells -- were relieved of their duties. Frank Hamblen, promoted from assistant to head coach after Tomjanovich resigned in February, is under contract until July. Brian Shaw and Kurt Rambis, who became assistants in February, will return to the front office. Shaw was the team’s assistant director of scouting and Rambis filled an executive sports-business development role.

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Losing Their Way

The 2004-2005 Laker team owns the second- and fourth-longest losing streaks in L.A. Laker history:

*--* NO. SEASON COACH 10 1993-1994 Magic Johnson 8 2004-2005 Frank Hamblen 7 1991-1992 Mike Dunleavy 6 2004-2005 Frank Hamblen 6 1992-1993 Randy Pfund 6 1977-1978 Jerry West 6 1974-1975 Bill Sharman 6 1963-1964 Fred Schaus

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