coach phil jackson

Kobe Bryant and Lakers coach Phil Jackson haven't really checked out the Miami Heat much this season.

Kobe Bryant and Lakers coach Phil Jackson haven't really checked out the Miami Heat much this season. They've caught late-night highlights and maybe logged a few minutes with a game from the opposite coast, but not a whole lot more.

It's finally time for the two-time champions to get an up-close look at their most intriguing challengers.

Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson will return next season, putting off retirement for at least another year to chase his 12th NBA championship.

The NBA has fined Lakers coach Phil Jackson $25,000 for criticizing the officials during Game 4 of the finals.

The league also penalized the Lakers $25,000 on Saturday for Jackson's comments, which came during an interview with ABC between the first and second quarters of their 99-91 overtime victory Thursday.

A day later, the NBA blew the whistle on Dahntay Jones for tripping Kobe Bryant. The league assessed Denver's defensive specialist a flagrant-1 foul for sending the Lakers' star sprawling through the lane with a trip late in the third quarter that Bennett Salvatore's officiating crew missed.

Los Angeles coach Phil Jackson complained about Jones' "unacceptable defense, tripping guys and playing...