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League sources say that the Knicks haven’t contacted Jackson as of yet, but they’re expected to reach out to him in the coming weeks. While the team was impressed with Mike Woodson and the success he had in an interim role, they’ll still explore the possibility of hiring Jackson. Even though Woodson was 18-6 after taking over for Mike D’Antoni in March, he doesn’t have 11 championships on his résumé. HoopsWorld

New York Knicks, Mike Woodson, Phil Jackson, Coaching, Jeanie Buss 

If Stan Van Gundy is fired, the Orlando Magic is also an intriguing potential landing spot for Jackson. The Magic are desperate to keep Dwight Howard and hiring Jackson would show that they’re serious about contending. Jackson brings instant credibility to the Magic and Howard would have a much harder time explaining his decision to leave if the organization was able to deliver Jackson after his repeated cries for help. Jackson has expressed interest in coaching Howard and the center would love to play for the legendary coach, according to sources close to the situation. HoopsWorld

Orlando Magic, Phil Jackson, Coaching, Stan Van Gundy, Jeanie Buss 

Jeanie Buss, the Los Angeles Lakers’ executive vice president for business operations, said that adding advertising to uniforms was worth discussing in part because other leagues had embraced the practice. “I like tradition and I actually still miss the short shorts of the ’80s,” she said in an e-mail, “so perhaps it is better the Lakers management fully discuss the subject internally and come to a consensus.” New York Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Jeanie Buss 

Jeanie Buss: Thanks to all for the positive thoughts-Dr. D completed a successful knee replacement surgery on Phil today. #GratefulTweet #RehabNext Twitter

Phil Jackson, Coaching, Jeanie Buss 

Jeanie Buss couldn't help but laugh. She's Phil Jackson's longtime companion but says she doesn't even know how much he wants to coach in the NBA again. "I can't answer that question," said Buss, a Lakers executive vice president. "Only he can. Nobody's called him. Unless somebody calls, we won't know how to answer that question." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson, Coaching, Jeanie Buss 

But he also won a title as a key reserve forward for the Knicks in 1973 and often credited former Knicks coach Red Holzman for sparking his interest in coaching. "Don't even go there," Buss said. "That's up to Phil. Whatever he does, he loves the game and he loves the guys that he's coached. That will never change." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson, Coaching, Jeanie Buss 

Arash Markazi: I trust @Jeanie Buss will let Phil Jackson know he's trending on Twitter. Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson, Twitter, Jeanie Buss 

Jeanie Buss: Pau Gasol can do it all!! @Pau Gasol you are awesome! #Lakers Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol, Jeanie Buss 

Roland Lazenby: There's also Jeanie Buss' tremendous connection+relationship with the fan base. She's built that over decades. So huge conflict there. Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Jeanie Buss, Jim Buss 

For years, through showers of confetti and storms of boos, Jeanie Buss has always been in that seat, evolving into one of the most active, visible and trusted connections between Lakers management and the fans. Which makes you wonder why, this season, she's barely been around. Some longtime season-ticket holders say they have seen her at only a couple of games. When I call her this week, she says she's been to four. That's four out of 14 home games, which is 29%, which is about what her Lakers are shooting from the three-point line. When you're talking about the team's executive vice president for business operations, a high-profile executive for whom the Lakers are family, it's just plain weird. ''This year has been just different for me," she says. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Jeanie Buss 

Different for her, different on the court, different in the standings, and you wonder, if like many of us, Jeanie Buss just doesn't feel connected to this team. The obvious change is that her boyfriend of a dozen years is no longer the head coach. She used to drive to every home game with Phil Jackson, sometimes even sitting with him in the stands during the D-League games in the late afternoons before taking her seat across from him at tipoff. ''When I go to the games now, I can't even drive in the carpool lane," she says, laughing. Buss says that with Jackson now retired and living here, they are making up for all those nights they spent apart. "I'm catching up on all the things I missed doing with my boyfriend for 12 years," she says. "He was always working, and he's not now, so I like to stay home and hang with him." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Jeanie Buss 

Although Jeanie insists her father is still running the show, Jerry remains slowed by blood clots. This has increased Jim's basketball involvement while reducing Jeanie's communication with the basketball folks, and that's not good. "Yes, I got more connected to the basketball side because of my relationship with Phil, and that may seem like it's changed," she says. "I used to be able to help with the line of communication between business and basketball, but … we'll find our way." But will she admit the basketball is not as exciting? "That's not my department," she says. "I want the fans to be happy, and whatever makes the fans happy, that's what I vote for." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Jeanie Buss 

Does she have faith in her brother? "I have confidence and faith in the basketball department," she says. "We've gone through this before in 2004; it will all work out, it always does." But is there a disconnect between one of the Lakers' most visible figures and the Lakers? "There are so many different layers to that question," Jeanie Buss says. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Jeanie Buss 

Jeanie Buss: Just confirmed my participation at the @SloanSportsConference March 2-3, 2012 in BOSTON. What are my chances of convincing Phil to join me? Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson, Jeanie Buss 

Retired coach Phil Jackson has declined a chance to see the Knicks face the Lakers tonight. His girlfriend, Jeanie Buss, a Lakers executive, had invited Jackson to sit with her, but he felt his presence would be misconstrued. Jackson has been mentioned as a potential successor to coach Mike D’Antoni, who has one year left on his contract. New York Post

Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Phil Jackson, Coaching, Jeanie Buss 

Dave McMenamin: Jeanie Buss isn't in her usual seats across from the LA bench. She hinted on Twitter that she might go to games w/ PJax this year #luxurybox Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson, Jeanie Buss 

I have absolutely no knowledge that Jackson would be even remotely interested if an opening occurred. I know his girlfriend, Jeanie Buss, would probably be aghast at the thought of him going to the competition. But I also never thought that barely one season after the Lakers won consecutive championships, Jackson would have disappeared and the Clippers would have arrived. Chicago Tribune

Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson, Coaching, Jeanie Buss 

"There are two things I will never forget from that day," Lakers exec Jeanie Buss said. "First is how brave Magic was. Everyone else was shattered and he held it together … he didn't show any fear. The other thing is that I'd only seen my dad cry once before [when his mother died]. That day was the second time." "It's the first time," Rosen said, "I've ever seen reporters crying." ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Magic Johnson, Jeanie Buss 

Ronnie Lester, the team’s longtime assistant GM groomed by Jerry West, had his say after being laid off back in the summer. Recently, it’s been former assistant coach Brian Shaw who has opened up about Jim’s eagerness to distance the team from the highly successful era of coach Phil Jackson. Clever and coy in dealing with Jim while dating sister Jeanie Buss over the past decade, Jackson upon stepping down last spring finally fired several shots at Jimmy boy. Jackson had long indicated he had no relationship with Jim Buss and not much of one with Jerry, while insiders in the Lakers organization said Jackson obviously had no respect for Jim. Jackson has long been known as a tough political player from his stormy days with the Bulls, but you could hardly blame him for not wanting to kiss up to Jim. HoopsHype

Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson, Ronnie Lester, Brian Shaw, Jerry West, Jeanie Buss, Jim Buss 

Jackson’s friends had long pointed out behind the scenes that Jim was the driving factor in Jackson’s 2004 dismissal as Lakers coach and it was Jim who moved unilaterally to make the disastrous Rudy Tomjanovich hire that cost the team millions. “The Lakers will be a disaster when Phil leaves the franchise,” one of Jackson’s associates predicted a few years back. “Jim’s biggest move is to put his personal bartender on the team payroll. Jim never comes around the franchise, doesn’t even have an office there.” HoopsHype

Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson, Ronnie Lester, Brian Shaw, Jerry West, Jeanie Buss, Jim Buss