Lakers coach Phil Jackson had replacement surgery on his left hip Tuesday, eight months after his right one was replaced. The 61-year-old coach was doing fine and is expected to be released from Centinela Hospital Medical Center in Inglewood within a day or two, the team said.
*Buzz Peterson resigned as coach at Coastal Carolina to accept Michael Jordan’s offer to become director of player personnel for the Bobcats. Jordan, part-owner of the Bobcats with final say on all basketball decisions, and Peterson were college roommates at North Carolina.
*Rick Carlisle, fired in April after four seasons as coach, told the Pacers he will not return as the team’s executive vice president. He said in a statement it would be “better for both the Pacers and myself to part ways at this time.” He is considering working in television or applying for another coaching position.
*The driver’s license of Nuggets guard J.R. Smith, who was at the wheel in a weekend accident that claimed the life of a friend, had been suspended five times in less than a year, the Newark Star Ledger reported. But New Jersey authorities said Smith’s license was “in good standing” at the time of Saturday’s crash and that the 21-year-old had paid all restoration fees and fines.
