LOS ANGELES (UPI) -- Phil Jackson announced Friday he will coach the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers for a 10th season in 2009-10, his 19th season overall as an NBA coach.

Jackson made the announcement amid speculation he might try to coach the Lakers during home games only, but after a battery of medical tests, he decided to coach the full season.

"All things point to go!," he said on the team's Web site. "After consulting with Lakers team internist Dr. John Moe, I feel confident that I can gainfully pursue an NBA season, including another long playoff post-season."

He had cited continued discomfort in his lower legs, which caused him to miss two games late last season, and was concerned when longtime assistant Tex Winter suffered a stroke.

Jackson -- a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame -- led the Lakers to their 15th NBA title this past season, and coached them to three straight championships in 2000-02. In nine seasons with Chicago, Jackson coached the Bulls to titles in 1991-93 and 1996-98.

His 10 titles as coach are the most in league history, surpassing the late Boston Celtics Coach Red Auerbach. He ranks sixth all-time in the NBA with 1,041 career victories and his winning percentage of .705 is tops in NBA history.



Copyright 2009 by United Press International

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