Signals Are Mixed on Jackson

In a recent team meeting, Coach Phil Jackson left his players with the impression that he would not return to the Lakers next season and might never coach again, a perception Jackson said Monday was not necessarily correct.

Hoping the Lakers would play with urgency in Sunday’s Game 3, Jackson said he reminded his players Saturday that many of them might not have a future in the organization. As he repeated the list of possible free agents and retirees among them, Jackson said, he included himself, using the phrase, “This is it.�

In what would become an emotional few minutes, other players, including Karl Malone and Horace Grant, offered that this postseason could also be their “last hurrah,� according to witnesses.

Afterward, players were struck by what they had believed to be Jackson’s retirement announcement, one insisting that Jackson stated, “These are my last playoffs.�

Several players remained confused Monday, and said they were certain of Jackson’s intent.

Jackson grinned and said they took him too literally and that he may, indeed, return to the Lakers.

“I haven’t closed the door on that at all,� he said.

There remains a sense within the organization that Jackson is more likely to leave after the season.

Owner Jerry Buss suspended negotiations on a contract extension for Jackson in February, leaving the impression he was hedging against a possible ultimatum from Kobe Bryant, potentially a free agent.

Negotiations with Shaquille O’Neal also have stalled, perhaps also related to Bryant’s situation.

Buss has declined recent interview requests.

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On the first anniversary of his angioplasty procedure, performed between Games 3 and 4 of last year’s Western Conference semifinals, Jackson said he had done nothing to mark the milestone.

“I was thinking of going to see my cardiologist,� he said Monday, smiling. “I ought to check to see if I have an appointment.�

Jackson, 58, said he felt energetic and strong, far better than he did a year ago.

“I do wish I was 20 pounds lighter,� he said. “But I think that’s just part of getting older.�

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Derek Fisher received the NBA’s Community Assist Award for April for his charity work in Little Rock, Ark., his hometown, and Los Angeles.

Fisher, who makes regular appearances at schools to promote the league’s Read to Achieve program and has many other projects, will be presented with the David Robinson Plaque.

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Fans are reminded to bring tickets marked “B2� for tonight’s Game 4. ... Slava Medvedenko, who continues to be hindered by a sore right Achilles’ tendon, did not practice Monday.