Dwight Howard Watching the Lakers this season has to be a special kind of weird for Phil Jackson after his pitch for a return to coaching the team was shot down.
But Jackson has observed the Lakers nonetheless, and he thinks he has found the biggest source of their woes.
In a wide-ranging interview with Sports Illustrated (conducted prior to Dr. Jerry Buss' death Monday), Jackson said that Dwight Howard hasn't measured up to his potential -- and the Lakers' playing style is to blame for the disparity.
"They just don't put the ball in the post," Jackson said when asked what stood out to him about the Lakers. "They'll use a screen-roll to get the guy in the post. But there's no consistent plan to do it. Yes, Kobe will go in there. But Dwight [Howard] just doesn't get any touches. They've basically eliminated his assets."
MORE: Lakers' mess leads second-half story lines
Jackson went on to explain that Howard's health had to be factored into any explanation for his struggles.
"He's starting to come around, but he has a massive upper body to carry around," Jackson said. "He's a terrific athlete, but he still has to get all that back. He's looking better all the time, but his problem right now is turnovers. He's got to have a little better recognition, and that will help him gain the confidence of his teammates and coach, which he does not have now."
Jackson's objections to the current Lakers team reflect his philosophical differences from Mike D'Antoni. Reorienting the offense around Howard would be too dramatic a heel turn for the Lakers, but it's evident his current role is problematic.
PHOTOS: PHIL JACKSON THROUGH THE YEARS 
Phil Jackson, shown in 2009, has 11 championships as a coach, five with the Lakers. Now USA TODAY Sports' Sam Amick reports he's a candidate to coach the Brooklyn Nets. Jackson always is a colorful character. Filp through this gallery for some great blasts from the past.
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Jackson had a pretty sweet mustache in 1971, when he was playing for the Knicks.
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Jackson and Michael Jordan worked together to win six NBA championships in the 1990s for the Bulls.
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Jackson and Kobe Bryant won their most recent title together for the Lakers in 2010.
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Jackson, shown in 1997 with the Bulls, is most famous for his Zen philosophy and triangle offense.
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Jackson takes hold of his first Larry O'Brien Trophy after guiding the 1991 Bulls to the NBA title.
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Jackson goes up for a hook shot while he was in college at North Dakota in 1965. He averaged 27.4 points and 14.4 rebounds a game as a senior
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Even legends praise Jackson, shown shaking Lakers icon Magic Johnson's hand in 2009.
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Jackson, shown in 1997, had the ear of Michael Jordan throughout their time together, and the results were six rings and many records.
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Jackson sits next to Tex Winter during the 1996 playoffs. Winter mentored Jackson in the fundamentals of the triangle offense.
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Even Jackson, with the Knicks, couldn't defend Julius Erving of the Nets in 1974.
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Jackson could make even tough guy Karl Malone take notice when Malone joined the Lakers for the 2003-04 season.
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Jackson won three titles with Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal in Los Angeles, then two more after O'Neal left.
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Jackson, shown driving against the Celtics in 1973, was a good power forward for the Knicks.
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Despite his Zen rep, Jackson, shown in 2011, occasionally showed his anger on the sideline.
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Jackson normally wore black suits, but he broke out the olive for this 2001 Lakers playoff game.
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Jackson coaches Lakers star Kobe Bryant, then 21 years old, in 1999.
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Jackson, shown in 1974, was a defensive stalwart as a power forward for the Knicks.
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Jackson coaches his first Lakers team in 1999, which starred Shaquille O'Neal (34).
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Jackson, shown during the 1998 playoffs, has always been a media favorite.
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Jackson hoists the Larry O'Brien Trophy as Michael Jordan has the NBA Finals MVP trophy in 1998, their last year with the Chicago Bulls.
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Jackson coaches the Bulls in 1994.
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Jackson talks with Bulls players Toni Kukoc and Dennis Rodman during the 1996 NBA Finals.
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Jackson accepts the Red Auerbach Trophy as the NBA's best coach in 1996.
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