Sports Radio Interviews

Mitch Kupchak On Re-Signing Odom/Ariza, And Phil Jackson’s Status

The Lakers’ championship run was intelligent to me because management didn’t do anything drastic to change the team this season.  After last year’s drubbing by the Celtics in the Finals, it wouldn’t have been frowned upon if they made a significant move, but they sat back and said, ‘These guys got there together, let’s give them another shot.’  The key acquisition from last season and key piece on the floor in all this who didn’t get enough credit is Pau Gasol.  He was a dominating force on both ends in the Finals and easily outplayed who some call the best center in the game, Dwight Howard.  Maybe it’s because Pau’s European, maybe it’s because he’s been labeled as soft, maybe it’s because this was designated as ‘Kobe’s championship,’ but I really loved watching his versatile skill set and how he mastered his role against Orlando.  Lakers’ General Managerr, Mitch Kupchak, joined KLAC to discuss if he thinks Phil Jackson will be back, the mindset of Laker fans, and if free agents, Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom, will return.

What’s your take on the Laker fans these past few years?

“The public in general or the fans might have taken a step back over the last three or four years and said, ‘Well, is this transitional thing going on right now?  How’s it gonna play out?’  So, here it is today, a year ago we were in the Finals, and we lost, and here it is this year.  So, I think to that degree I think it’s a satisfying feeling to know the public now, and our fans feel comfortable that the team that’s in place – our basketball operations and management group, etcetera – can deliver.”

Will the Lakers sign Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom?

“We’ll meet again in the next week with ownership – those issues won’t become real issues until July 1st but you do have to get a head start on it.  So, that’s all I can really tell you to date.  I love both players to death, it was just a pleasure to watch them play, to watch them get along with each other in the locker room, and I really believe that they would prefer to stay in Los Angeles.  So, those are all positives to work from.”

What’s you feeling on Phil Jackson returning?

“I sent him a little email yesterday, kind of joking a little bit, ‘Now that you’ve had 12 hours to relax, I have a couple questions I have to ask you…’  A guy does need some time to debrief and try have a feel for what he wants to do in the future.  On the other hand, we do need to know in a timely fashion ’cause you don’t want to start looking for a coach in the summer time or in the fall.  You have to know before then.”

Listen to Mitch Kupchak on KLAC with Petros and Money

Tags: Basketball, Lamar Odom, Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, NBA, Phil Jackson, Trevor Ariza