Mitch intros:
Week ago, ABC did interview with PJ re pursuit and coaching decision and whole process. PJ referred to it as biggest pregnant pause in sports history. Still not exactly sure what that means. Here today to announce that pause is over. Please welcome back PJ...
PJ:
Well, something I thought would never happen, less than one year after being part of the dissolution of this organization and changing of the guard so to speak, so comfortable to be stepping back in. Even more than first time, feel have complete support of team, staff, and management.
Not a fantasy. Will take a lot of hard work, support of people of L.A. and those in the organization.
One reason I came back has been the support has been so back for this return. So many people have asked when I'm coming back the apst 2 months.
It's a pleasure to be back. City has tremendous amount of support and affection for the team.
A lot went into decision. Had to check my own status over the past month. 100% healthy. Confident I can go forward in this season and do it the way I want to do it. Vision of direction how we should go, was waiting to get an OK, physically and mentally, to take this job. Felt very comfortable seeing in mind's eye how this team can have success.
Not going to happen overnight. We expect some patience.
How make a winner out of this team?
-- Two weeks ago I said roster not attractive. We have glutted roster. People have overlooked we have a lot of talent. Best core player in the league in Kobe Bryant. Two very talented players in Lamar Odom and Caron Butler. Anticipate Brian Grant can help us this year.
Jim Hill: How improve/ restore relationship with Kobe ater the book?
-- I think it's rebuilding the trust we had. Kobe called me this a.m. and congratulated me. I'm confident that he's confident we can go forward.
Larry Burnett: Contract signed, sealed and delivered? Anything in your contract preventing a book?
-- My other [job] title this year: journalist for Lakers. Negotiations went very quickly.
-- We're going to try to shut that [innuendos] down over the next few years. I'm going to to try to lead that.
-- No other situation offered to me was more intriguing. Tremendous story here. Story of forgiveness, of redemption.
Lindsay Soto: Jeanie factor?
-- Most supportive of this. Saw possibility even when I was away from the ballclub. No direct pressure. Underlying understanding. Encouraged me not to retire from something I had so much success with. Thinking I was not too young to retire.
-- Three-year contract. Not about a championship, but having a competitive team, a team that the fans are proud to watch.
-- Jim, Mitch and I have talked about things.
-- Called Tex, before he went to Hungary, to be a consultant next year. Have other names he's considering.
-- Think it is [my greatest challenge ever]. In '94, MJ was back a few games, MJ not in bball shape, team was totally rebuilt. Went 72-10 the next year. Rebuilding team turned into one of the greatest teams ever. This team is like that. We don't expect that, but who knows. We have hope.
-- Kobe knows what it [the system] looks like, what's anticipated. We talked personnel, what people can do in the format that I coach. We won't have same presence inside. Kobe understands that, he's got a good bball mind.
Shaq such a big part/ What like to rely on Kobe as primary weapon?
-- We know Shaq has been a trememdous target for a team. In basic terms it's about penetration; Shaq could get within 10-12' and get the ball inside. We'll have the ability to be flexible, to full-court press, to do more transition, trap & zone -- we'll be much more mobile as a basketball team. That's in our favor at this time. Shaq isn't the kind of player you'd use in that situation.
Tomorrow?
-- Watching tape of potential draft picks. Calls to make to coaches.
How much did conflict contribute to success?
-- Always a certain - not always - always a nice tension flows between performance and how to be the best you can be. Expectations that follow success put a person in position where you do generate a little more energy to be comfortable in the job, I'm sure that added to the energy that motivated Shaq, me, and helped us to push the team to where it hadn't been before.
Hill: Kobe like MJ next year?
-- More than likely. More isolation, also for Odom. Offensively. This team has to learn how to play defensively. We need that cohesion needed to stop people.
Odom?
-- As a fan/ outsider watching, felt he was the best player delivering the ball, running the fast break, seeing the court, things like that. Would hope that Lamar could fill a Scottie Pippen-type of role. Not expecting that. Will be a growth time for him.
-- I feel my relationship with Kobe has been reconciled, but it will always be watched next year. Team has a trust value with the community. Community puts a level of trust them in terms of their support. The community felt let down, and we need to win back their support.
Lindsay -- need to clarify "lunch money" comments?
-- I think they understood that. (Laughter) When you're making $14M, you know you have to contribute. Vlade didn't get much of a chance, but a player has to come to training camp in terrific shape to be ready to play.
Originally Posted by thekobe
sunt optimist). L-a comparat pe odom cu pippen iar kobe va juca c a jucat MJ la Bulls. desi a zis ca ar fi "amazed" daca Lakers in al 3-lea an s-ar bate la titlu cred ca e si el un pic mai optimist). Pentru DEFENSE(acolo e problema) e nevoie de B.Grant si Vlade...sa vedem ce se va intampla cu ei.
