LOS ANGELES — Former Lakers radio voice Spero Dedes recalls the story of his first year with the organization, when he got caught in Los Angeles traffic and held up the team charter to San Antonio. Phil Jackson wanted to leave a little early and a sweating Dedes boarded the flight — last one on.
Dedes felt mortified.
“I thought this is the worst first impression I could’ve made and this man is going to dislike me forever,’’ Dedes said. “First person I see in the hotel lobby after we land? Phil. He looks me in the eye and with this really stern look says, ‘I think you owe me an apology.’ Before I could stammer a response, Phil erupts in laughter, smiles and walks away. It was the first time I realized Phil, despite what you heard of him, doesn’t take himself too seriously.’’
Dedes’ stint as Lakers’ broadcaster fell exactly the same time as Jackson’s second stint as Lakers coach — 2005-11. Dedes called Jackson’s last two NBA titles.
Dedes, now the Knicks radio voice, said he looked more forward to hearing Jackson speak before Lakers games than calling the games.
Dedes admits when he first joined the team, the Fordham graduate was intimidated by the Zen Master.
“There’s a definite aura about him,’’ Dedes said as he prepared for Tuesday’s Knicks-Lakers telecast on ESPN Radio. “For a long time, people felt Phil came across as being a little aloof. But he’s a highly intelligent person and it’s misconstrued him thinking he’s better than you are. I never got that sense from Phil.
“The one thing I loved about him is if you ask him a question, in his give and take with the media, he always thought it out. Never gives a classic answer. Everything is so thoughtful that comes out of his mouth and he always spoke the truth. It’s so refreshing to be around someone like that. The pregame media scrums before games were better than the games itself.’’
How much Jackson will speak to the media in his new role is undetermined. He hasn’t made any comments since his Tuesday introductory press conference. Jackson, who lives in Playa del Rey with his fiancée Jeanie Buss, rejoined the Knicks in Los Angeles on Monday, but sources said he wasn’t planning on attending the game because it would create a circus.
“He has a presence about him when he walks into the room,’’ Dedes added. “You have to experience it to understand it. Listening to the press conference the whole time, I’m thinking he’s born for this. People are wondering how Phil the coach will be as [an] executive. I personally feel he’ll be better in this position. In terms of how to build a team, this is what he was put on Earth to do.’’
Lakers fans are still on edge about Jackson’s joining the Knicks and the Buss family letting him go without making him an offer to join the front office.
“People here are very upset how it played out,’’ Dedes said. “They were hoping he could come back, have a role. He’s a beloved part of the fan base. There’s a big divide to who’s in control, Jim or Jeanie Buss. Phil was the person putting the divide between them. It’s definitely a sore subject.’’