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A general view of the court during the game between the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on January 6, 2012

Los Angeles Lakers

Phil Jackson: 'Los Angeles Lakers still need Kobe Bryant'

By , Reporter
Phil Jackson believes that Kobe Bryant is still important to the Los Angeles Lakers at the age of 35.

Phil Jackson has insisted that the Los Angeles Lakers still need Kobe Bryant because of the veteran's winning mentality.

Despite accepting that Bryant's attitude will continue to help the team, the former Lakers coach admits that he wouldn't have given the 35-year-old a $48.5m (£29.5m) two-year contract extension.

"They paid him more than I would have gone for, but what he's given to this organization, what he gives back, he brings a certain sense of, 'We're going to win!'" Jackson told NBA TV. "You got to have a guy on the team that doesn't settle for second.

"That's one of the areas where the value of Kobe, even at this age, is terrific."

Jackson won five NBA titles during his time in charge of the Lakers.

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Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant rises high to dunk against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 22, 2011
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