New York Knicks President Phil Jackson said he tried medicinal marijuana to help cope with back pain, using it as a "distraction" from the pain, but never considered it medication.
Jackson underwent back surgery when he played for the Knicks, missing the 1969-70 championship season.
"I don't know about it's medicinal ability," Jackson said on CBS Sports Network's We Need to Talk. "I had back surgery, and the year I was off, I was smoking marijuana during that period of time. I think it was a distraction for me as much as a pain reliever. But I've never thought of it as ultimately a pain medication for that type of situation. I know ocular things, stomach, digestive issues, and other things, I think it is regarded quite highly.
"We're in a situation that's in flux," he continued. "We have states -- Washington D.C., Colorado -- have legalized marijuana. Those are going to raise issues.
"We also have a testing regimen that we go through in the NBA, so we're kind of in conflict with what is going to be the law. I see that as a matter of a decision that -- I don't know if we can equate it to gay marriage or whatever else, but it's a decision that's going to be made by our population at some point."
Jackson's comments came days after Golden State Warriors Coach Steve Kerr revealed he tried a similar technique to help relieve his own back pain.
During the summer of 2015, Kerr, who played for Jackson's Chicago Bulls during the 1990's, underwent two back surgeries, the second to help alleviate pain from the first.
In his four-month absence, he said he used marijuana twice, but it was to no avail.
"[After] a lot of research, a lot of advice from people and I have no idea if maybe I would have failed a drug test," Kerr said. "I don't even know if I'm subject to a drug test or any laws from the NBA, but I tried it and it didn't help at all. But it was worth it, because I'm searching for answers on pain."
Kumar's big day
One of the most unlikely victories last week was on the Asian Tour when Mukesh Kumar won the Panasonic Open India at Delhi Golf Club.
If the name doesn't sound familiar, it shouldn't outside of India.
Kumar turned professional in 1984 -- two years before Jack Nicklaus won his last major -- and while he won 123 times on the domestic tour in India, he never played more than eight tournaments a year on the Asian Tour.
In fact, he had played only 55 tournaments that awarded world ranking points over the past 20 years.
Kumar closed with a 70 in the fog-shortened Panasonic Open India and won his first Asian Tour event at age 51.
"I am very proud of myself," Kumar said. "I have waited 32 years for this."
He was No. 1,716 in the world and moved up to No. 487. His previous best in the world ranking was No. 707.
Missouri-bound?
Brad Dickson of the Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald, on the Nebraska Cornhuskers' selection to play in the Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tenn.: "Confused Nebraskans began making reservations in Branson."
Sports on 12/08/2016