ONLY BUSS COULD PULL OFF MEGA-DEAL FOR PHANTASTIC PHIL.

Byline: SCOTT WOLF / NBA 

In the end, Jerry Buss' vanity overcame his stubbornness. And that is why, when Phil Jackson returns from his Klondike vacation, he will become the next coach of the Lakers for a cool $6 million per year.

That type of cash was previously reserved only for the Kobe Bryants and Shaquille O'Neals of Lakerland.

The dirty little secret of the Lakers' organization is that Buss pays his players top dollar and everyone else works for dirt. That also applies, to a certain extent, to the coaching position. At least until now.

Buss bent because his self-image is probably the only thing that could trump his pocketbook. His playboy persona and devil-may-care attitude made him a fan favorite, but lately he was beginning to look more like George Steinbrenner with a bad dye job.

The aloofness toward Jerry West. The desire to sign Dennis Rodman over West's objections. The constant rumblings that this was no longer pro sports' most ideally run franchise.

Buss started to look more and more like a caricature and people were wondering if he had lost it. That's the last thing a swinger like Buss ever wants to be said about him.

So it was time for a bold move. Enter Jackson. He's been drooling over the thought of coaching the Lakers for a year, and likes the team's makeup even more now.

Jackson believes O'Neal, Bryant and Glen Rice - yes, Glen Rice - can perfectly execute his beloved triangle offense. He also has the stomach and star power to keep the immature Lakers in line.

It was Jackson who convinced Michael Jordan to stop thinking of his teammates as his ``supporting cast.''

It was Jackson who berated Horace Grant until he became a rebounding menace.

It was Jackson who got Scottie Pippen to believe in himself without it being a detriment to teammates.

And Jackson needs the Lakers as much as they need him. Jackson doesn't want his obituary to read that he won six NBA titles, all with Jordan. Shoot, the average fan figures he could have won six titles with Jordan.

Jackson needs to demonstrate he can go somewhere else and claim a championship. So why not go to a team that has two of the biggest stars in the game?

The loser in all of this, of course, is Rambis. He was sent to Chicago for the pre-draft camp while the organization was secretly negotiating with Jackson's camp.

But Rambis had his own issues, though none probably mattered more than Buss' desire to hit the home run with the fans. Rambis couldn't broker a peace deal between Shaq and Kobe and never seemed to reach the moody Rice. He also used Derek Harper inconsistently and tried to cut his influence in the locker room.

Don't worry about Rambis. He'll likely be securing a deal a year from now with another NBA team. Besides, as tumultuous as coaching the Lakers might have seemed, he could have made a bigger mistake and taken the Clippers job.

Look who's talking: The Bulls were thought to be satisfied with keeping the No. 1 pick. But they may be tempted by some recent offers.

Toronto is reportedly offering its fifth and 12th picks for the top spot so the Raptors can draft Maryland's Steve Francis. Then there is Atlanta, which is trying to put together a package involving players and draft picks to grab the Bulls' draft choice. And yes, Dikembe Mutombo's name has been mentioned.

As for Vancouver, it was presumed ready and willing to deal its pick at No. 2 under any circumstances. Now there is strong sentiment that the Grizzlies will consider keeping the choice if Francis is available, and pairing him with Mike Bibby.

And they are also warming to Lamar Odom, if he drops out of the top slot.

Of course, if you believe the talk in Portland, the Blazers are willing to part with Rasheed Wallace for the Grizzlies' pick.

Seven's an unlucky number: Down at No. 7, Washington GM Wes Unseld is hoping someone will offer him a veteran, because the Wizards don't believe anyone will be available to make an impact.

In the meantime, he'll continue begging Isiah Thomas to become the coach.

Bad Penny: Orlando coach Doc Rivers gave it the old college try to keep him, but the Magic wasn't exactly broken up that Penny Hardaway opted out of his contract and became a free agent.

Several teams, including Minnesota, are interested in Penny but the Magic is relieved to rid itself of Hardaway's negative influence in the locker room, especially with impressionable rookies like Matt Harpring and Michael Doleac.

One team that won't acquire Hardaway is the Lakers. O'Neal will never, ever play again with the volatile point guard.

RANKING THE NBA: 1 TO 10 AND NO. 29

1. San Antonio: Robinson, Duncan should dominate Ewing-less Knicks. Right?

2. New York: Guess this means Jeff Van Gundy will keep his job.

3. Indiana: Expect rumors to start about Larry Bird's future.

4. Portland: Stoudamire says he thinks he'll be back. How reassuring.

5. Utah: Jazz wouldn't mind moving Bryon Russell and No. 1 for top-eight pick.

6. Lakers: Rambis should have taken Kings job last year.

7. Miami: Heat still wants Glen Rice, but so does Phil Jackson.

8. Houston: Rockets making strong run to sign Clippers' Rodney Rogers

9. Philadephia: Sixers would like to unload Tyrone Hill.

10. Atlanta: Memo to Mookie: Hawks scouting Baron Davis, Steve Francis.

No. 29 Clippers: New uniforms next season. But same old players?

BY THE NUMBERS

11

League-record times Karl Malone has made All-NBA first team.

6

Blocked shots for Knicks forward Marcus Camby in Game 5 against Indiana.

1

Eighth-seeded teams to reach NBA Finals, after Knicks defeated Pacers on Friday.

SIGN OF THE TIMES

The Mavericks are going through their usual off-season implosion. First, Don Nelson violated salary cap restrictions by sending free agent Gary Trent and his family to Hawaii. The crass maneuver also angered former Mavs guard Jim Jackson, who vowed to give Trent the lowdown on Nelson's sincerity and do everything he could to prevent the small forward from re-signing with the club.

RUMOR OF THE WEEK

The Clippers and Celtics are trying to resurrect a deal that was nullified during the season. The Celtics would send center Tony Battie to the Clippers for Rodney Rogers, who would first have to sign a new contract.

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2 Photos

PHOTO (1) RODNEY ROGERS

(2) CAMBY