The Zen Master Phil Jackson laid a bombshell on the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday when he announced that he was leaning towards retirement but wants to have a few more tests done by doctors.

“I’m leaning towards retiring but I have not made up my mind,” Jackson said. “I’ll take a week after the medical tests are done. Some of it’s about health, some of it’s about that’s the way I feel right now. I’ve had vacillating feelings about it. It’s hard not to feel like coming back when you’re speaking to these players and have an opportunity to coach a team that’s this good. But, it’s what I feel like right now and what I feel like in the process that’s gone through. It’s just something I’m going to sit with and feel out and after I’m through talking about all the rest of it with the doctors, then I’ll make the final decision.”

To me, that sounds like a guy that has already made his mind up. He’s not coming back next season. And why should he? He has accomplished more than any other NBA coach ever will and the Lakers are an old team. Sure they’re probably good enough to make at least one more title run, but there are no guarantees.

One thing is certain, without Phil Jackson, the Lakers will not win another Championship next season.