Auerbach takes shots at Jackson’s decision

The Times-Picayune: Apparently, there’s no love lost between Red Auerbach and Phil Jackson.

In separate interviews this week with two major news outlets, USA Today and ESPN.com, Auerbach minced no words when questioned about Jackson’s motivation for returning to the Los Angeles Lakers as head coach.

Jackson and Auerbach have each won nine NBA titles as coaches. Auerbach won all of his with the Boston Celtics; Jackson won six with the Chicago Bulls and three with the Lakers.

“It’s done for one reason: the money. It’s as simple as that,” Auerbach told USA Today. “Ten million dollars a year? What’s all this crap about ‘Oh, I want to make up with Kobe,’ and ‘I want to go back to the Coast.’ It’s a lot of baloney. If the Knicks offered him $12 million, he’d be in New York.”

Tell us what you really feel, Red.

It did seem odd that Jackson, who ridiculed the Lakers situation, and Kobe Bryant specifically, in a diary-type book released last October, would return to an organization that really didn’t want him back after the 2004 season.

“Normally,” Auerbach went on, “you wouldn’t think that he and Kobe would even be speaking. You don’t know who ate crow when they met. But this guy (Jackson) is not dumb. He wants to be in control. He doesn’t want to be at the mercy of Kobe.

“Look, when a guy writes a book and exposes different things, that means he doesn’t give a damn. Does he gain pleasure knocking the hell out of certain people? No. He’s interested in the money.”

Can Jackson win a 10th NBA championship, Auerbach was asked?

“I hope not,” he said.