Despite his nine championship rings as a head coach, tied for most in NBA history, Phil Jackson will always have his skeptics.

 While he may have brought out the best in some of the league?s top superstars - namely MJ in Chicago and Shaq in L.A. - Jackson, at the same time, critics of his would argue, wouldn?t have been nearly as successful had he not had such thoroughbreds to work with in the first place.

 Jackson remains an all-time great coach, mind you, but wouldn?t it be interesting to see what he could do with less, for once?

 As would be the case if Jackson swallowed his pride and ever decided to make a Hollywood return, attempting to lead the Shaq-less Lakers back to the Promised Land.

 It would also make him a fraud.

 How ironic is it that Jose Canseco can be regarded as nothing more than a scam artist in need of a quick buck or two for releasing his tell-all book, yet we all turn a blind eye to Jackson and his motives for releasing his?

 Is Jackson in as dire need of money as Canseco?  Hardly.  It doesn?t mean Jackson?s motives were any different than Canseco?s are.

 How are fans ? other than in Los Angeles, of course, where Jackson would be welcomed with wide open arms ? supposed to take what was said in Jackson?s book seriously if he were to return to the Lakers only a year later?

 Oh, it was great reading Phil reveal how Kobe was ?uncoachable,? and the power plays and rifts that existed within the Lakers organization, and so on and so on.  But a Jackson return to the Lakers would make all of us who read his book feel like utter dupes.

 It certainly makes one wonder how sincere Jackson really was in his deepest, darkest confessions, or if he was merely looking to sell some books and make some cash on the side ? much like Canseco is today.

 We know one thing is for sure:  Kobe isn?t going anywhere ? a primary reason why Phil left in the first place ? so if Jackson were indeed to return, he?d have to cope with Kobe?s persona whether he likes it or not.  

 If we?ve learned anything of the Lakers? chaotic situation to date, it?s that Phil is/was expendable and Kobe is not.

 ?As far as Phil?s concerned, I think he cleared the air with his book,? Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss said.  ?I think they are both prepared to get back together, if that?s what turns out to be.?

 ?Kobe?s main desire is to win a championship, to play basketball and to win. And he knows his chances with Phil are increased substantially,? Buss added.

 Well, actually, Kobe?s chances of winning another title would have been increased substantially had he decided to be just a piece ? an instrumental one, mind you ? of the puzzle from the outset and not want to carry the entire organization on his shoulders.  With the rampant parity in the league this season, the Lakers, with Kobe and Phil and Shaq in the fold ,  would have still been a perennial favorite this season ? as long as they could just get along on the court, nothing more.

 It?s a shame Kobe didn?t realize this before now.  But then again, maybe the Lakers? struggles this season will serve as a humbling experience to the former boy wonder.  

 Kobe, as talented as he is, can?t do it all.  MJ couldn?t.  Shaq couldn?t.  LeBron won?t.  No one player possibly can, because last I checked, basketball was a team sport, and the great ones need a supporting cast.  Hopefully, Kobe has learned his lesson.

 Maybe all the egocentric Jackson needs is to be told how much he is wanted, how his former team can?t get back to past glory without him patrolling the sidelines.  Maybe Jackson simply needs Kobe to come up to him and issue an apology.

 Who knows?

 ?I think Kobe would welcome Phil back,? Buss said.  

 He may very well, Dr. Buss.   But for once, Kobe doesn?t have the final say.  Phil does.  Right now, the Lakers certainly need Phil more than Phil needs L.A.  But if Phil wants to rejoin the Lakers, the job is seemingly his for the taking.

 Just expect fans/readers to take Jackson?s book with the same grain of salt as they have Canseco?s if Jackson winds up taking back the Lakers job, because if Jose can dupe the public into reading his steroid tales, Phil certainly can as well when it comes to the never-ending soap opera that was the Los Angeles Lakers 1999-2004.
 
 Phil Jackson the coach is anything but a fraud.  Phil Jackson the author, on the other hand?  

 Stay tuned.  

Kostas.Bolos@realgm.com