PHIL JACKSON TO RETURN TO COACH LOS ANGELES LAKERS NEXT SEASON

Los Angeles Lakers head coach, Phil Jackson, announced on Thursday (July 1) that he would return to coach the team for the upcoming 2010-11, following a decision timeframe over whether his health would allow another year or if it was time to retire.

Jackson revealed the news to NBA.com, but also said it’d be his last.

“Count me in,” he said. “After a couple weeks of deliberation, it is time to get back to the challenge of putting together a team that can defend its title in the 2010-11 season. It’ll be the last stand for me, and I hope a grand one.”

Jackson guided the Lakers to the 2010 NBA Championship, their second in a row, and hopes to make it a three-peat next year, which would be his fourth. He has won five titles as head coach of the Lakers.

Overall, Jackson has guided his teams to eleven NBA Championships, the most of any coach in NBA history.

His career as a coach boasts some impressive numbers. He’s the fastest to 1,000 career victories, his total being 1,098, which ranks him fifth all-time. But, his .705 winning percentage is the best in league history.

Additionally, Jackson ranks first all-time in NBA postseason history with a .697 winning percentage (225-98). His 225 playoff victories are also the highest postseason win total for any head coach in league history, according to NBA.com.

“We’re extremely pleased that Phil has decided to return,” said Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak. “With this most recent championship, we’ve now won five titles in the ten years he’s been our head coach and have been to the Finals in seven of those ten years, which is amazing. He’s not only the best coach for this team, but quite simply the best coach in the history of the NBA.”