Phil Jackson left his team with the impression that he would not return to coach them next season and that he may not coach at all.  Jackson later gave a different signal on the subject.

In an effort to make his team play with urgency prior to Game 3 of his team's playoff series with the San Antonio Spurs, Jackson rattled off a list of future free agents and retirees, perhaps including himself in the latter category.  

"This is it," Jackson is reported to have told his team in an apparent reference to his own plans.

The meeting became emotional with Karl Malone and Horace Grant talking about their "last hurrah."  

Players expressed confusion.  One quotes Jackson as saying, "These are my last playoffs."

But when asked about whether he had indeed decided to leave his coaching job, Jackson smiled and said, "I haven't closed the door on that at all."