Its official Phil Jackson has agreed to coach the L.A Lakers. Post Conference at 5 pm ET

I think this is a great move, obviously. I think him and Kobe will get along just fine but they still have some personal problems that they will have to work out this off-season.

FINALLY! No more going on the internet 24/7 to see if the Lakers hired Phil.

He is back, and it is confirmed by Laker spokesman John Black.

ESPN: Phil & Kobe Reunited-
A year after leaving L.A., Phil Jackson is returning to coach the Lakers. The team, which missed the playoffs this season, will announce the hiring at a news conference at 5 p.m. ET

I'm not Phil's biggest supporter, but it seems as though he and Kobe will try to make it work better this time. hpy.

They need to change the roster. With Phil Jackson on the bench it gives the Lakers a Playoff Contender next season. It determines how well their roster is to decide if they make the playoffs.

Yes you are right AHsan. Phil Jackson is a step in the right direction, but they won't win a title with him alone. They need to draft a good point guard (Felton/Jack) and sign a solid big man to defend (Jerome James/C.Anderson)

They will make the playoffs but the 2nd round is the best they will do unless they pick up another borderline all-star or good role player by getting rid of the glut of small forwards.

This offseason, the Lakers are above the cap. Don't expect them to get any big-name free agents this offseason...it's a shame too, I think Eddy Curry would've been a goot fit on this team.

I believe next season Brian Grant's and Devean George's contracts are expiring...they'll make some moves and maybe in 3 years they can be back in contention.

I don't know if this was the right move...PJ has never been apart of a rebuilding team, but since he's never had the chance, we can't judge whether he'll do a good job or not. Time will tell.

i don't think they'll make the playoffs and i don't think they'll be a dominant force again until after kobe is gone. they are rebuilding and will be for a while. i do think they will win more games than last year though but not a lot.

As mentioned, this is a huge step in the right direction for this Franchise. Hiring a proven winner is always something to marvel about, and he has won you three championships already.

I don't think Bryant and him will have any problems. I think the media blows everything up. I think Bryant should be thrilled now that he has such an amazing coach again. It will really help him and Los Angeles.

Kobe won't be gone for 8-10 more years. Are you saying that they won't be a dominant force until he is retired or traded?

In my opinion I think they will be contenders in 2 years, when Brian Grant and Devean George's contracts expire and they have more cap room.

Next year they will make it to the playoffs and might give a higher seed a good fight, but nothing more.

I like what Greg Anthony said on ABC NBA Gametime: "When you have a great player like Kobe Bryant you are only one player away from contention."

Well, something like that. But you guys get the point.

I totally agree with what Anthony said. The Lakers already have Lamar Odom, who if is utilized correctly, can be a huge asset. There are rumors swirling about Caron Butler, Vlade Divac, and Chucky Atkins for Carlos Boozer. Plus we have the #10 pick (we might have to give it up to get Boozer).

Could you imagine:

C- Mihm
F- Boozer
F- Odom
G- Kobe
G- Jack

With a solid bench, and Phil Jackson at the helm, that team could go far.

I heard Phil Jackson is very, very impressed with Lamar Odom and will use him effectively. Also, since Phil likes big point guards I think Jarret Jack would be the perfect addition. Jack does everything well, he is very well-rounded and is a true point guard. I don't think Felton would be a very good fit for the Lakers.

Not a bad lineup on paper (or monitor), but only time will tell if they will play well together. I personally don't think Kobe is the type of player that can have 2-3 other great players on the team...won't he have trouble keeping Boozer and Odom happy? I'd like to see the Lakers go big, and go for a star player.

I don't think having a rookie start at PG is a wise choice either...

Kobe successfully sacrificed his game for Shaq for 7 years. He played alongside Payton, Malone, and Shaq, and they made it to the Finals, so I see no problem with him and other stars on the same team.

Shaq and Kobe were just too huge egos so it didn't work. How often do you have 2 of the game's top 5 players on the same team? Even though they won 3 and almost 4 titles together, there were bound to be disagreements.

Anyway, the triangle offense is designed to make every player on the floor into a threat. As long as they play smart and play together, there should be enough touches for everyone. Odom and Kobe both like to handle the ball and score, but Boozer gets a lot of his baskets from offensive rebounds and garbage points. Mihm and Jack won't need to touch the ball much.

And yes, starting Jack might be risky. Phil Jackson doesn't like giving rookies a lot of minutes, but unless the Lakers pick up somebody like Marko Jaric, Jack would get the nod. He is better than Chucky Atkins, who is more suited for coming off the bench.

Couldnt have said it better myself madsen35.

I dont know who the Lakers will get to surround Kobe, but I have faith that Phil can make it work. I am one of Phils biggest supporters, if the Lakers give him the talent to work with theres no doubt he'll get the best out of it.