`A NEW LEASE ON LIFE FOR ME'.

Byline: STEVE DILBECK

EL SEGUNDO - The lucky man sat in the small room smiling, wearing sunglasses, sweat uncommonly on his brow, a small bandage on his left arm.

Phil Jackson, who always had seemed the absolute center of calm, sat in front of the notepads and cameras and microphones like he had hundreds of times before.

Only never before having just returned from a heart procedure. Never before talking so candidly about walking away from basketball.

Never before saying, ``It's a new lease on life for me, and I'm happy to be here.''

No one doubted it for a moment. He smiled frequently, almost continuously. Talked about the chest pains he'd begun experiencing in the midst of the Lakers' postseason bid to capture a fourth consecutive championship. About how much better he felt since having an angioplasty Saturday.

Jackson is a man who always seemed firmly in touch with his mortality, but now the Lakers were looking hard at their life without Jackson.

Jackson, arguably the greatest coach in NBA history, said the lack of energy he'd been experiencing had left him uncertain whether he wanted to return next season for the final year of his contract. That right now, two days after his procedure, he was in a ``happy spell.''

``Because I had really thought seriously that I wasn't going to be capable of going on from this year as a coach,'' Jackson said. ``I thought, `If I get through this year, this will be it for me.'

``I didn't have the energy, I didn't have the right ability to get out and do the things I want to do on the court. Having this come to a head, and the result of this, gives me an opportunity to move forward and see what it's going to be like.''

That Jackson came through the procedure to remove a 90 percent blockage of one of his arteries as well as he did, that he already was feeling markedly improved, makes his return for next season more likely but suddenly not an absolute.

Jackson said he re-evaluates his career and ponders retirement every summer.

``I'll think about it again this year and seriously consider it,'' he said. ``I said all along that if I felt I had reasonable health, I'd probably finish my contract. That's obviously what I'll try to accomplish in this time period that I have after the (season).

``I will consider whether I can do next year with the kind of fervor and desire and energy - and all those other things I need to do - after the season is over, and assess where I can be.''

And if you assume he does return for the final year of his contract, what then?

Maybe he signs a contract extension, maybe not. Maybe he retires to his Montana lakeside ranch. Maybe he settles down with girlfriend Jeanie Buss, owner Jerry Buss' daughter who called the team doctor to have him examined after he finally complained to her about the pain in his chest.

Jackson is 57, and if he believes himself in good health, could coach for several years beyond next season. He had said previously he would wait until this season played out before deciding whether to sign a contract extension.

But it is not difficult to imagine him going off to his Montana sunset, particularly should he coach the Lakers to what for him would be a record-setting 10th NBA championship.

The Lakers were a team knocking at the door of greatness but unable to enter until Jackson arrived four seasons ago. That they won in his first season surprised even him. That they now have won three consecutive championships has surprised few.

Shaquille O'Neal, 31, has said he doesn't want to play for anyone else, though his contract runs beyond Jackson's. Kobe Bryant, 24, probably still will be playing long after Jackson finds his own energy and desire waning.

Although now largely a health issue, Jackson's desire to return also will be based on his relationship with Kobe and Shaq.

But Jackson's weekend has been sobering for the Lakers, who now more than ever must consider a future without him. One that could come sooner than most anticipated.

On Monday, Jackson just seemed grateful. And not just that the Lakers won Sunday without him to even their playoff series with the Spurs at 2-2.

``I feel more like myself right now,'' he said.

Good enough to attend practice, to catch a team flight for San Antonio, to be on the sideline tonight when the Lakers try to steal Game 5 with him back in charge.

Back with his gray hair and calm exterior, directing a team that has been a wild ride from the season's first tip. Back unafraid of what awaits, even as he said he was when told about his blockage.

``I've always felt there's a plan that's bigger than myself that's going on in life,'' he said. ``That I'm just playing a part in this. I feel fortunate.

``Feeling good. Feel like a lucky man.''