Lakers coach hints at retirement

LOS ANGELES, June 23 (UPI) -- Phil Jackson, who last week guided the Los Angeles Lakers to their second straight NBA title, said Wednesday he was "leaning toward retiring."

Jackson held a post-season news conference and sent tremors throughout the NBA by suggesting he might not be around for the 2010-11 season.

"I'm leaning toward retiring, but I haven't made up my mind," he said. "Some of it's about health. That's the way I feel right now. I've had vacillating feelings about it. I have to sit on it and do the right thing for myself. I wouldn't say that I'm 95 percent or 50 percent sure. This is what I feel right now."

Jackson did not attend the parade Monday that honored the Lakers for their 16th NBA championship, because he was undergoing a series of medical tests.

Following the Lakers' Game 7 win over the Boston Celtics, series MVP Kobe Bryant said he wanted Jackson to return as coach.