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07:56 AM ET 03.06 | Even though he was passed over while pondering a return to the Lakers, Phil Jackson still exerts his influence on the franchise. It turns out Jackson has become a trusted mentor for Lakers center Dwight Howard. "Phil, he texts me and he understands how it is to come off back surgery," Howard said. "He just said it takes a full year to recover, so you can't beat yourself up over the things that have happened this year." ... [Howard] also has struggled nursing an 11-month old surgically repaired back and a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Does Howard wonder what would've happened if he returned once he felt fully healthy? "I said that plenty of times, but I don't want myself to be thinking so much on what I should've done," Howard said.

Dwight Howard, Getty Images

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March 6, 2013 08:40 AM ET

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QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 08:20 AM ET 03.06 by jgb

this isn't ending well for mike Dantoni.......
lol

The three key words you used are: "ending" "for" & "Dantoni"

That about says it all...

Eli...

Chicagoland, .

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March 6, 2013 10:16 AM ET

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Jimmy Buss Needs To Go, Bros.

I Love LA

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March 6, 2013 10:27 AM ET

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It's incredible to me that Laker fans can't get move on from Phil. I may be wrong, but I believe Phil won 6 rings with the bulls, and 5 in LA. I don't think I ever heard nearly this much (if any) clamoring by bulls fans that they needed to bring Phil back. But it's happened twice in LA. The lakers have kobe (who many laker fans believe is the best of all time), and other very good/great players around him...yet all the fans do is cry about needing Phil. Teams lose coaches all the time, but no one except Laker fans go on and on and on year after year saying that they need Phil. You arguably have the best resources and market in the league. In the years you have won (and in some you've lost), you've had the most talented team in the league. None of the other teams have Phil either...so it's not like you are at some huge disadvantage.

Do like the bulls fans, and move the eff on already. And remember, in Chicago, he left after winning a championship...in LA, i think he left after getting swept out of the playoffs (in a series in which the lakers were again the favorites).