Mike Brown fired - Can Phil Jackson save the Lakers?

The Los Angeles Lakers have fired head coach Mike Brown and put together a short wish list for his replacement. While Bernie Bickerstaff fills in as interim coach, ESPN reports former head coach Phil Jackson is open to a second return to the team he led to five NBA Championship wins.

The Lakers have rehired Jackson once before, but so far the retired coach hasn't received a call from the organization. Lakers general manager Mike Kupchak says the team will move quickly to put a new coach in place. "The sooner the better," says Kupchak. "We don't have a timetable, quite frankly, because this happened so quickly."

Jackson, who ended his second run with the Lakers at the end of the 2010-2011 season, has stayed in close touch with the team since his departure, which could help facilitate a smooth transition should he be invited back. The coach and Lakers star Kobe Bryant have enjoyed a famously love-hate relationship, which erred more on the side of love after Shaquille O'Neal left the team.

Brown was relieved of his duties with the Lakers after a 1-4 start to the 2012-2013 season.