NBA Lakers long playoff run finally comes to an end

Coach Phil Jackson says he'll be back for his final year of his contract.
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Phil Jackson is feeling good about his own health, as well as the future of the Los Angeles Lakers.
"I think I would have been a little more defeatist at another time," Jackson said following the Lakers' 110-82 loss to the Spurs that ended their three-year run as NBA champions. "I have to feel better about my own personal health and the direction I'm going. We've had a great run."
The 57-year-old Jackson said he intends to return next year and fulfill the final year of the five-year, $30 million deal he signed with the Lakers in June 1999.
He'll probably be working with several new players.
"I would suggest that next year there will be more changes than in years past," general manager Mitch Kupchak said. "I think we have to address our frontcourt, whether it's a backup center or a power forward."
Shaq, Kobe need help
Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant are two of the NBA's best players, but realistically, few of their teammates this season could make the roster of the deep and talented Sacramento Kings, for example.
"Not for a second do we second-guess what we did," Kupchak said. "I don't think anybody can argue that we didn't have a chance (to win a fourth straight title)."
Karl Malone and Scottie Pippen, nearing the end of their Hall of Fame careers, are among those who have been mentioned as possible additions, along with Juwan Howard and P.J. Brown.
Kupchak said the Lakers are at least $23 million over the salary cap but plan to use their $4.5 million mid-level exception for a free agent.
There's a good possibility that Robert Horry and Brian Shaw won't return.
"Sometimes losing clarifies your position," Jackson said. "It makes it clear what you need to do. It's not an appropriate time to talk about that right now."
O'Neal and Bryant are under contract for next season, as are Rick Fox, Devean George, Derek Fisher, Slava Medvedenko and Kareem Rush.