NBA Rumors: Power Ranking the Top Destinations for Coach Phil Jackson

NBA basketball fans are a spoiled bunch right now.

The ongoing NBA Finals matchup between two of the most storied franchises in all of basketball has lived up to the hype, maybe exceeded it. We have already seen a Finals record eight three-pointers from Ray Allen, a courageous Andrew Bynum playing on one knee and drool from Big Baby Davis.

Does it get much better than that?

The series between the Lakers and Celtics would be enough to satisfy most NBA fans, but remember, NBA fans are spoiled. Like the kid who gets the laptop on Christmas and figures he is done, until the he sees his name on yet another present, NBA fans' gifts keep coming.

If this Finals was between the Hawks and Suns, the lead story in most sports pages would be the latest in the LeBron James watch. No offense to the wonderful fans of the teams from Atlanta and Phoenix, but the only matchup big enough to eclipse the LBJ sweepstakes was Lakers vs. Celtics.

Amazingly however, even Lakers vs. Celtics was overshadowed by the Clippers. No really, the Clippers, of all teams, when word leaked that David Geffen wants a controlling interest in the other team from LA only to entice the King to join the Clippers.

When the Clippers are mentioned during the NBA Finals, you know something big is up. LeBron James and the free agent class of 2010 is big.

NBA Fans are spoiled.

Lost in the hoopla of the Finals and LBJ's free agency however is the news that another free agent will be available after this season who is far more accomplished than the King. This free agent has more rings than James has fingers, well, at least that's a possibility after the season is over.

Phil Jackson, seeking his 11th ring with the Lakers, is available to sign with anyone after this season is over.

With word coming recently that the jobs in Chicago and Atlanta have been filled, not that either had much of a shot at PJ, there are only a few spots available for the Hall of Fame coach. Lets look at some of the possible landing spots for Jackson by categorizing each club into one of two categories, "No Way Jose" and "It's at least possible."

That last category is the most intriguing, so we will spend a little extra time there. Keep in mind that I am not looking at job vacancies, if someone with Jackson's resume is available, some owners will make room for him. No matter what.

The Finals are being waged by two powerhouse franchises, the Association's reigning MVP is a free agent this year and the winningest coach in the history of the NBA might call a new city home next year. Does it get any better than that?

NBA fans are certainly spoiled.

No Way Jose

Teams in this category either have a pretty successful coach in place already, just hired someone new or are just good enough to not want to make a change.

Teams with coaches so good that the franchise owners aren't even remotely tempted to kick the Phil Jackson tires.

>Boston Celtics
>New York Knicks
>Orlando Magic
>Denver Nuggets
>San Antonio Spurs
>Utah Jazz

Teams with new coaches. They might have buyers remorse, but they are committed and won't look back. At least not until the teams first ten game losing streak.

>New Jersey Nets
>Philadelphia 76ers
>Chicago Bulls
>Atlanta Hawks
>New Orleans Hornets

Teams with coaches that are just barely good enough. The coach might have some wear on the tires, or is last years model, but it still runs ok and has been mostly reliable.

>Milwaukee Bucks
>Washington Wizards
>Houston Rockets
>Golden State Warriors
>Phoenix Suns

Now, on to the probables. If Phil Jackson coaches next year, its for one of the following teams. I list them in order of least likely to most likely.

By the way, don't expect the other pictures in this slide-show to be as riveting as this one, just sayin,bg. (For those unaware, that's me, Jose. These are teams with a No-Way-Jose chance to land PJ, I'm Jose... get it?)

Minnesota Timberwolves

Why he wouldn't
>Too cold
>No talent
>No money
>Current coach Kurt Rambis was on his staff with the Lakers. Forcing him out would just be wrong.

Why he would
>10% off at every Target store nationwide.

Chances of landing PJ: .005%

Indiana Pacers

Why he wouldn't
>Too cold
>No talent
>No money

Why he would
>It's the second closest team with a chance to retain his services to his off-season home in Montana. Only 1,500 miles away!

Chances of landing PJ: .07%

Toronto Raptors

Why he wouldn't
>Too cold
>No talent (Assuming Bosh leaves)
>No money

Why he would
>Jackson has professed his admiration of Bosh's game. Its a very slim sliver of hope, but there's hope.

Hope is an amazing thing, you never know what will happen. Kind of like if you are playing the a World Cup game against a rival and take a shot that's headed right for the keeper for an easy save. Who knows, maybe the keeper will flub it up for a goal. Chances, are wonderful things.

Chances of landing PJ: .09%

Detroit Pistons

Why he wouldn't
>Too cold
>Old talent
>Not enough money

Why he would
>The chance to return a once proud franchise to NBA glory is enticing. Then again, so is a pecan pie, so maybe Jackson gets his enticement elsewhere.

Chances of landing PJ: .2%

Memphis Grizzlies

Why he wouldn't
>Um, it's Memphis
>Not enough money

Why he would
>Good young nucleus

Chances of landing PJ: 4%

Sacramento Kings

Why he wouldn't
>He called the place "Cow Town" for goodness sake

Why he would
>Good young nucleus
>Good ownership

Chances of landing PJ: 5%

Miami Heat

Why he wouldn't
>No talent (Assuming Wade leaves)
>Pat Riley. Can those two really co-exist?

Why he would
>Um, it's Miami!
>Amazing talent (Assuming Wade stays)

Chances of landing PJ: 8%

Portland Trailblazers

Why he wouldn't
>Too much rain

Why he would
>Opportunity to return a former NBA Champion to glory
>Good ownership
>Good nucleus
>Closest NBA team to his off-season home in Montana at 800 miles

Chances of landing PJ: 10%

Charlotte Bobcats

Why he wouldn't
>Doesn't want to be in the shadow of the Tar Heels.

Why he would
>Chance to be reunited with Michael Jordan
>Good nucleus

Chances of landing PJ: 14%

Dallas Mavericks

Why he wouldn't
>Doesn't look good in chaps

Why he would
>Great ownership
>Great nucleus (Assuming Nowitzki stays)

Chances of landing PJ: 20%

Oklahoma City Thunder

Why he wouldn't
>Um, it's Oklahoma City
>Money is questionable

Why he would
>Great nucleus in place with no one leaving

Chances of landing PJ: 21%

Cleveland Cavaliers

Why he wouldn't
>Too cold
>Fractured team (Assuming LBJ leaves)

Why he would
>Chance to coach another off the charts All-Star stud in James (Assuming he stays)
>Great chance to win rings for all his toes (Assuming James stays)

Chances of landing PJ: 25%

Los Angeles Clippers

Why he wouldn't
>Donald Sterling still owns the team

Why he would
>He's already Los Angeles royalty and likes it here
>Great ownership (Assuming Geffen buys that controlling interest in the club he wants)
>Good nucleus
>Great chance to win rings for all his toes (Assuming Geffen and James come to town)

Chances of landing PJ: 37%

Authors note: I know that I am assuming a lot ranking the Clippers this high, but as the Featured Columnist for the other basketball team in Los Angeles, I am entitled to artist liberties. It's in my contract! :)

Los Angeles Lakers

Why he wouldn't
>If the Lakers lose to the Celtics he takes a year off to regroup

Why he would
>Because the Lakers will beat the Celtics and no regrouping will be necessary
>Great nucleus
>Great city
>Best chance to win rings for all his toes

Chances of landing PJ: 99.9999%