The Lakers might have overlooked Phil Jackson for the head coaching job, but he’s still helping the team. Jackson, who’s been through a few surgeries, and recoveries himself, has been texting some encouraging words to Dwight Howard.

According to Mark Medina, LA Daily News:

It turns out Jackson has become a trusted mentor for Lakers center Dwight Howard.

“Phil, he texts me and he understands how it is to come off back surgery,” Howard said. “He just said it takes a full year to recover, so you can’t beat yourself up over the things that have happened this year.”