Bryant Issue Is Big Key

By Mike Bresnahan

May 17, 2005 12 AM PT

Times Staff Writer

Before the Lakers and Phil Jackson could reunite, there would have to be another meeting, conducted in private, involving a former coach and his player.

Jackson is patiently mulling his future, crossing off a box at a time, with his health no longer a concern but his overall mind-set and his untenable relationship with Kobe Bryant playing a part in the process, sources said Monday.

Jackson called Bryant recently and the two spoke briefly in what could be characterized tentatively as an initial step toward reestablishing a rapport. There was no long-term resolution in the casual conversation and Jackson is said to prefer an in-person get-together to assess their status as part of the progression of his latest, and perhaps final, career choice.

Bryant is traveling in Europe until early June. His agent, Rob Pelinka, declined to comment. Jackson, who could not be reached for comment, is expected to decide by mid-June whether to return to coaching, possibly to the Lakers.

Jackson aggravated Bryant last October by calling the seven-time All-Star uncoachable in his tell-all book, but he was more reverential toward Bryant in an interview Saturday with The Times.

“I know from first-hand experience what he’s capable of,” Jackson said. “I’d like to see him return to that dominance of that position that he had before.”

Bryant averaged 27.6 points this season, second only to Philadelphia 76er guard Allen Iverson, but he made only 43.3% of his shots, his worst accuracy since 1997-98, his second season. He also struggled defensively and was left off the league’s all-defensive teams for the first time since 1999.

As an organization, the Lakers have steadfastly maintained that they would distance from Bryant in their coaching search and said he would be consulted only in the final stages. A few other players, including forwards Lamar Odom and Caron Butler, could also be contacted.

Bryant said last month that he would be unconsumed by the search.

“Whether it’s Larry Brown or Phil Jackson or whoever ... I don’t care,” he said, adding that he trusted Laker management’s track record. “They’ve proven themselves for so many years of being able to go out and get great people, get great coaching.”

Jackson said health was no longer a concern after successfully completing numerous diagnostic exams -- he had an angioplasty procedure to repair a blocked artery in May 2003 and has arthritis in his knees and hips -- but he must determine if he feels mentally and emotionally fit for another run as a coach.

In the wake of Rudy Tomjanovich’s mid-season resignation because of physical and mental concerns, Laker owner Jerry Buss will wait for strong affirmation from Jackson before moving toward details of a contract that could surpass $10 million annually. Two weeks ago, in an interview with media members, Buss said “we’re going to pay something relatively close to that, regardless of who the coach is.”

Jackson said he likes Odom’s potential and he knows what he gets from Bryant, but he was critical Saturday of the overall shape of the Laker roster, calling it unappealing and limited because of salary-cap constraints.

“It’s going to take a while to clean that up,” he said. “They haven’t got a lot of wiggle room to get better in a hurry.”