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by: Chris Maynard
([email protected])
([email protected])
Prior to Game 2 of the 1996 second-round series between the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls, Head Coach Phil Jackson was awarded the IBM Head Coach of the Year award. Amazingly, this would be the first and only time Jackson would win the Coach of the Year award despite winning 11 championships as a Head Coach.
I don't know about you, but the fact that Jackson won just one Head Coach of the Year award is pretty insulting and probably reflective of how he was envied and disliked by others throughout the league.
To some Jackson has been characterized as a guy who only won with some of the greatest players in the history of basketball. Michael Jordan. Scottie Pippen. Dennis Rodman. Shaquille O'Neal. Kobe Bryant.
To others Jackson is the greatest coach of all time, the Zen Master, a guru at managing egos and building winning cultures.
As Jackson went to the Los Angeles Lakers, became a bit Hollywood, and won win with teams that were not as good as his Bulls' teams, I started to feel that maybe Jackson was a bit overrated, a guy who was the product of the superstars around him, and certainly lucky to be in the right place at the right time.
Over time, I have softened my stance on Jackson, realizing just how phenomenal he was with the Bulls. Jackson always had a wonderful feel for his teams and coached them accordingly. Chicago was always focused and prepared when it mattered, with Jackson setting the emotional tone.
Early in his tenure, Jackson was willing to take a backseat behind Jordan and Pippen, and not be the story. As his career progressed, especially with the Lakers, Jackson became more of the story and could come off as pompous, superior and even bigger than the game. As his success grew, his ego did as well.
Upon reflection I wonder if how I felt about Jackson as the Lakers' Head Coach was how Knicks' fans felt about Jackson as the Bulls' Head Coach.
Make the jump to read more about how Phil Jackson's genius could be a blessing and curse in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York.
I don't know about you, but the fact that Jackson won just one Head Coach of the Year award is pretty insulting and probably reflective of how he was envied and disliked by others throughout the league.
To some Jackson has been characterized as a guy who only won with some of the greatest players in the history of basketball. Michael Jordan. Scottie Pippen. Dennis Rodman. Shaquille O'Neal. Kobe Bryant.
To others Jackson is the greatest coach of all time, the Zen Master, a guru at managing egos and building winning cultures.
As Jackson went to the Los Angeles Lakers, became a bit Hollywood, and won win with teams that were not as good as his Bulls' teams, I started to feel that maybe Jackson was a bit overrated, a guy who was the product of the superstars around him, and certainly lucky to be in the right place at the right time.
Over time, I have softened my stance on Jackson, realizing just how phenomenal he was with the Bulls. Jackson always had a wonderful feel for his teams and coached them accordingly. Chicago was always focused and prepared when it mattered, with Jackson setting the emotional tone.
Early in his tenure, Jackson was willing to take a backseat behind Jordan and Pippen, and not be the story. As his career progressed, especially with the Lakers, Jackson became more of the story and could come off as pompous, superior and even bigger than the game. As his success grew, his ego did as well.
Upon reflection I wonder if how I felt about Jackson as the Lakers' Head Coach was how Knicks' fans felt about Jackson as the Bulls' Head Coach.
Make the jump to read more about how Phil Jackson's genius could be a blessing and curse in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York.
Of course, Jackson was a former Knick, drafted by the organization out of North Dakota with the 17th pick of the 1967 NBA Draft. Jackson played 10 seasons with New York, mostly as a long-armed, defensive reserve who provided physicality and fouled hard. Considered counterculture at the time, Jackson was a part of New York's 1972-73 NBA championship team coached by Red Holzman, whom Jackson would view as a coaching mentor. *Note: Jackson was injured and did not play during the 1969-70 season, when the Knicks won their first NBA title.
After spending his last two seasons with the New Jersey Nets, Jackson retired as a player before eventually getting into coaching. Jackson was not some hot coaching commodity at the time, beginning with the Albany Patroons of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) and even coaching several teams in Puerto Rico.
For some reason, Bulls' General Manager Jerry Krause saw something in Jackson. For all of Krause's many warts, he did have a talent at recognizing hidden gems.
While Krause had gotten Jackson an interview to be on the staff in Chicago, I believe with Head Coach Stan Albeck prior to the 1985-86 season, Jackson was not hired based upon his appearance. In other words, he did not dress appropriately for the interview, apparently wearing a fedora.
Eventually, Krause got Jackson another interview with Head Coach Doug Collins. Krause told Jackson not to blow this one, to dress in a suit and tie. Jackson was hired by Collins and would serve as an assistant for two seasons before being named the Bulls' head man after the 1989 NBA Playoffs.
By year two in Chicago, Jackson had led the Bulls to its first title, doing what some thought would be impossible: winning a championship with a guard as the league's leading scorer. Not only did Jackson win with Michael Jordan as his superstar but he got Jordan to buy into getting his teammates more involved. While Jordan scoffed at the notion of Assistant Coach Tex Winter's Triangle Offense, he ultimately played ball, with Chicago taking off with the emergence of Scottie Pippen and a strong supporting cast of Horace Grant, John Paxson, Bill Cartwright and others.
By the 1991-92 season, Chicago looked like it would cruise to a second title, going 67-25 in the regular season. However, a familiar organization, the New York Knicks, had something to say about that during the second round of the 1992 NBA Playoffs.
Coached by former Lakers' Head Coach Pat Riley, the Knicks stole a page from the playbook of the Bad Boys' Detroit Pistons, taking the physicality to the Bulls at all costs, whether legal, borderline or criminal. As New York surprisingly pushed the Bulls to seven games, the disdain between Jackson and Riley germinated. I'll never forget Jackson getting eliminated in Game 4 of that series, with the Madison Square Garden crowd mocking him as he left the court. In an all-time great move, Jackson waved to the crowd with a huge grin on his face.
Make no mistake: Jackson was no longer a beloved former Knick. Rather he was the opposing coach of the hated rival. While the Bulls would survive against the Knicks during seven grueling games in 1992, Riley used that offseason to fortify his New York team to topple the Bulls.
New York seemed to be on the verge of doing just that, taking a 2-0 lead against the Bulls during the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals. Just when it looked like the Bulls were dead to rights, Chicago blitzed New York during Game Three and Jordan went off for 54 points during Game Four. Chicago won an all-time nail biter at MSG during Game Five, sending back Charles Smith's shot at the rim multiple times, and then closed things out at the Chicago Stadium two nights later. Somehow, someway, the Bulls had won four straight games against the Knicks and advanced to the 1993 NBA Finals, where Chicago beat Phoenix in six games for its first three peat.
Riley and the Knicks would finally get Jackson and the Bulls during the second round of the 1994 NBA playoffs. Following a familiar script to the 1993 series, New York took a 2-0 lead heading to Chicago. Symbolic of the vitriol between the two organizations, between Jackson and Riley, between Chicago and New York as cities, Game Three would involve a nasty fight between the Bulls' Jo Jo English and the Knicks' Derek Harper, who spilled into the stands as they beat upon each other. Chicago would ultimately build and blow a big lead before Toni Kukoc hit a buzzer-beating three, with Pippen refusing to enter the game with 1.8 seconds left because the final shot was not called for him.
Ultimately, the Knicks would win that series in seven games. New York had finally toppled Chicago, Riley had finally beaten Jackson. The Bulls' championship reign was done, and the team would lose many players, including Horace Grant, Bill Cartwright, John Paxson and Scott Williams that offseason.
With Pippen seemingly wanting out of of Chicago and the team barely over .500 by mid March of the 1994-95 season, Jackson was apparently ready to take a leave of absence from the Bulls, frustrated by a team that was no longer as talented and seemingly past its prime.
However, with the return of Jordan with 17 games left that season and the trade for Dennis Rodman that offseason, a reinvigorated Jackson would do a wonderful job in 1995-96, proving himself to be the greatest psychological coach of all time. Rather than trying to get Rodman to conform, Jackson gave the eccentric power forward a longer leash, reigning him in when necessary. With Jordan and Pippen being accepting teammates, Rodman responded with a great season because of his respect for not only these superstars but Jackson.
As the Bulls took on the Knicks during the 1996 NBA playoffs, the animosity was not as strong, with Riley off to a Miami Heat team that Chicago easily handled in the first round, and Jeff Van Gundy now on the sidelines for the Knicks. Chicago would defeat New York in five games, and Jackson would lead the Bulls to a second three peat with championships in 1996, 1997 and 1998.
However, it quickly became clear that Jackson was not getting along with Krause. After the 1996 and 1997 titles, Jackson nearly walked away before signing one-year deals. In fact, I remember reading in the paper during the 1996-97 season about how the Knicks were considering offering Charles Oakley to Chicago for Jackson as part of an offseason trade. The idea of a player-for-coach trade blew my mind at the time.
Eventually, Jackson would walk away after Chicago's Last Dance, though the shady Krause tried to lure him back with a half-baked, last-minute attempt to have Iowa State's Tim Floyd serve as Director of Basketball Operations while Jackson coached again. Tired of the fighting and drama with Krause, Jackson saw right through the ploy and drove out of Chicago on his motorcycle. The Bulls have never been the same since Jackson, Jordan and Pippen all left. Jackson has had very little to do with the organization beyond jersey retirement ceremonies and reunions of the championship teams.
Following a year off during the strike-shortened 1998-99 season, Jackson was hired by the Lakers, a team that seemed to be on the verge of great things but needed the right coach. Jackson was that guy, winning a title during his first season, getting Shaquille O'Neal over the hump while managing a young know-it-all in Bryant. As the Lakers won two more titles, the team always seemed to have some drama, specifically between Shaq and Kobe. Even Jackson himself became more of a diva, allegedly driving off Lakers' legend/executive Jerry West and then dating Jeannie Buss, the daughter of Lakers' owner Jerry Buss.
After getting upset in the 2004 NBA Finals by the Detroit Pistons, the Lakers announced that Jackson would not be returning. Apparently, Jackson gave the franchise an ultimatum, saying he would not coach the extremely difficult Bryant, who had been dealing with a sexual assault case throughout the 2003-04 season. Jackson later wrote a book called The Last Season, during which he blasted Bryant's selfishness and immaturity.
Of course, the 2003-04 campaign would not be the last season for Jackson and his own enormous ego.
Similar to after his run with the Bulls, Jackson would be drawn to the bright lights of Hollywood, returning after just one season away. In 2009 and 2010, Jackson would win two more titles as the Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic. By this point Jackson seemed, at least to me, to be adding championships to his mantle in a watered-down NBA.
By the time he left the Lakers following the 2011 NBA Playoffs, Jackson had become more of a caricature than an innovative coach, at least in my opinion, seemingly going through the motions and lacking the fire.
And yet the allure of Jackson still resonated in the NBA, with the New York Knicks finally getting the Zen Master, this time as president of the organization in March of 2014.
Jackson's time as President of the Knicks did not go well as he couldn't convince former Bull Steve Kerr to become his head coach. Jackson settled on his former Lakers player Derek Fisher, who had a miserable first season as New York finished with a franchise-worst 17-65 record. Fisher would be fired halfway through his second season while Jackson's vision of the Triangle Offense never meshed with the game of Knicks' superstar Carmelo Anthony. Jackson would try to shake things up by adding two former Bulls, trading for Derrick Rose and signing Joakim Noah, but those moves did not work out. After just three seasons with the Knicks, Jackson and the organization announced a mutual parting of ways.
Jackson would leave the NBA with a little less luster to his name, justifying the criticism that he could win with ready-made teams but not build his own teams.
Regardless of how Jackson may be viewed in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York today, there is no arguing that he was the perfect coach at the perfect time for Jordan and the Bulls, as evidenced by his six titles in eight seasons.
I highly suggest reading Jackson's 1995 book Sacred Hoops, which details his basketball philosophy and portrays an introspective and prescient mind before he became a bit too big for the game.
To this day, it is one of my favorite sports books, indicative of a truly brilliant person who didn't have to say how great he was but just showed it through his words, actions and wisdom, which Jackson was certainly doing as the Bulls took a 2-0 lead on the Knicks during the 1996 NBA Playoffs.
After spending his last two seasons with the New Jersey Nets, Jackson retired as a player before eventually getting into coaching. Jackson was not some hot coaching commodity at the time, beginning with the Albany Patroons of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) and even coaching several teams in Puerto Rico.
For some reason, Bulls' General Manager Jerry Krause saw something in Jackson. For all of Krause's many warts, he did have a talent at recognizing hidden gems.
While Krause had gotten Jackson an interview to be on the staff in Chicago, I believe with Head Coach Stan Albeck prior to the 1985-86 season, Jackson was not hired based upon his appearance. In other words, he did not dress appropriately for the interview, apparently wearing a fedora.
Eventually, Krause got Jackson another interview with Head Coach Doug Collins. Krause told Jackson not to blow this one, to dress in a suit and tie. Jackson was hired by Collins and would serve as an assistant for two seasons before being named the Bulls' head man after the 1989 NBA Playoffs.
By year two in Chicago, Jackson had led the Bulls to its first title, doing what some thought would be impossible: winning a championship with a guard as the league's leading scorer. Not only did Jackson win with Michael Jordan as his superstar but he got Jordan to buy into getting his teammates more involved. While Jordan scoffed at the notion of Assistant Coach Tex Winter's Triangle Offense, he ultimately played ball, with Chicago taking off with the emergence of Scottie Pippen and a strong supporting cast of Horace Grant, John Paxson, Bill Cartwright and others.
By the 1991-92 season, Chicago looked like it would cruise to a second title, going 67-25 in the regular season. However, a familiar organization, the New York Knicks, had something to say about that during the second round of the 1992 NBA Playoffs.
Coached by former Lakers' Head Coach Pat Riley, the Knicks stole a page from the playbook of the Bad Boys' Detroit Pistons, taking the physicality to the Bulls at all costs, whether legal, borderline or criminal. As New York surprisingly pushed the Bulls to seven games, the disdain between Jackson and Riley germinated. I'll never forget Jackson getting eliminated in Game 4 of that series, with the Madison Square Garden crowd mocking him as he left the court. In an all-time great move, Jackson waved to the crowd with a huge grin on his face.
Make no mistake: Jackson was no longer a beloved former Knick. Rather he was the opposing coach of the hated rival. While the Bulls would survive against the Knicks during seven grueling games in 1992, Riley used that offseason to fortify his New York team to topple the Bulls.
New York seemed to be on the verge of doing just that, taking a 2-0 lead against the Bulls during the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals. Just when it looked like the Bulls were dead to rights, Chicago blitzed New York during Game Three and Jordan went off for 54 points during Game Four. Chicago won an all-time nail biter at MSG during Game Five, sending back Charles Smith's shot at the rim multiple times, and then closed things out at the Chicago Stadium two nights later. Somehow, someway, the Bulls had won four straight games against the Knicks and advanced to the 1993 NBA Finals, where Chicago beat Phoenix in six games for its first three peat.
Riley and the Knicks would finally get Jackson and the Bulls during the second round of the 1994 NBA playoffs. Following a familiar script to the 1993 series, New York took a 2-0 lead heading to Chicago. Symbolic of the vitriol between the two organizations, between Jackson and Riley, between Chicago and New York as cities, Game Three would involve a nasty fight between the Bulls' Jo Jo English and the Knicks' Derek Harper, who spilled into the stands as they beat upon each other. Chicago would ultimately build and blow a big lead before Toni Kukoc hit a buzzer-beating three, with Pippen refusing to enter the game with 1.8 seconds left because the final shot was not called for him.
Ultimately, the Knicks would win that series in seven games. New York had finally toppled Chicago, Riley had finally beaten Jackson. The Bulls' championship reign was done, and the team would lose many players, including Horace Grant, Bill Cartwright, John Paxson and Scott Williams that offseason.
With Pippen seemingly wanting out of of Chicago and the team barely over .500 by mid March of the 1994-95 season, Jackson was apparently ready to take a leave of absence from the Bulls, frustrated by a team that was no longer as talented and seemingly past its prime.
However, with the return of Jordan with 17 games left that season and the trade for Dennis Rodman that offseason, a reinvigorated Jackson would do a wonderful job in 1995-96, proving himself to be the greatest psychological coach of all time. Rather than trying to get Rodman to conform, Jackson gave the eccentric power forward a longer leash, reigning him in when necessary. With Jordan and Pippen being accepting teammates, Rodman responded with a great season because of his respect for not only these superstars but Jackson.
As the Bulls took on the Knicks during the 1996 NBA playoffs, the animosity was not as strong, with Riley off to a Miami Heat team that Chicago easily handled in the first round, and Jeff Van Gundy now on the sidelines for the Knicks. Chicago would defeat New York in five games, and Jackson would lead the Bulls to a second three peat with championships in 1996, 1997 and 1998.
However, it quickly became clear that Jackson was not getting along with Krause. After the 1996 and 1997 titles, Jackson nearly walked away before signing one-year deals. In fact, I remember reading in the paper during the 1996-97 season about how the Knicks were considering offering Charles Oakley to Chicago for Jackson as part of an offseason trade. The idea of a player-for-coach trade blew my mind at the time.
Eventually, Jackson would walk away after Chicago's Last Dance, though the shady Krause tried to lure him back with a half-baked, last-minute attempt to have Iowa State's Tim Floyd serve as Director of Basketball Operations while Jackson coached again. Tired of the fighting and drama with Krause, Jackson saw right through the ploy and drove out of Chicago on his motorcycle. The Bulls have never been the same since Jackson, Jordan and Pippen all left. Jackson has had very little to do with the organization beyond jersey retirement ceremonies and reunions of the championship teams.
Following a year off during the strike-shortened 1998-99 season, Jackson was hired by the Lakers, a team that seemed to be on the verge of great things but needed the right coach. Jackson was that guy, winning a title during his first season, getting Shaquille O'Neal over the hump while managing a young know-it-all in Bryant. As the Lakers won two more titles, the team always seemed to have some drama, specifically between Shaq and Kobe. Even Jackson himself became more of a diva, allegedly driving off Lakers' legend/executive Jerry West and then dating Jeannie Buss, the daughter of Lakers' owner Jerry Buss.
After getting upset in the 2004 NBA Finals by the Detroit Pistons, the Lakers announced that Jackson would not be returning. Apparently, Jackson gave the franchise an ultimatum, saying he would not coach the extremely difficult Bryant, who had been dealing with a sexual assault case throughout the 2003-04 season. Jackson later wrote a book called The Last Season, during which he blasted Bryant's selfishness and immaturity.
Of course, the 2003-04 campaign would not be the last season for Jackson and his own enormous ego.
Similar to after his run with the Bulls, Jackson would be drawn to the bright lights of Hollywood, returning after just one season away. In 2009 and 2010, Jackson would win two more titles as the Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic. By this point Jackson seemed, at least to me, to be adding championships to his mantle in a watered-down NBA.
By the time he left the Lakers following the 2011 NBA Playoffs, Jackson had become more of a caricature than an innovative coach, at least in my opinion, seemingly going through the motions and lacking the fire.
And yet the allure of Jackson still resonated in the NBA, with the New York Knicks finally getting the Zen Master, this time as president of the organization in March of 2014.
Jackson's time as President of the Knicks did not go well as he couldn't convince former Bull Steve Kerr to become his head coach. Jackson settled on his former Lakers player Derek Fisher, who had a miserable first season as New York finished with a franchise-worst 17-65 record. Fisher would be fired halfway through his second season while Jackson's vision of the Triangle Offense never meshed with the game of Knicks' superstar Carmelo Anthony. Jackson would try to shake things up by adding two former Bulls, trading for Derrick Rose and signing Joakim Noah, but those moves did not work out. After just three seasons with the Knicks, Jackson and the organization announced a mutual parting of ways.
Jackson would leave the NBA with a little less luster to his name, justifying the criticism that he could win with ready-made teams but not build his own teams.
Regardless of how Jackson may be viewed in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York today, there is no arguing that he was the perfect coach at the perfect time for Jordan and the Bulls, as evidenced by his six titles in eight seasons.
I highly suggest reading Jackson's 1995 book Sacred Hoops, which details his basketball philosophy and portrays an introspective and prescient mind before he became a bit too big for the game.
To this day, it is one of my favorite sports books, indicative of a truly brilliant person who didn't have to say how great he was but just showed it through his words, actions and wisdom, which Jackson was certainly doing as the Bulls took a 2-0 lead on the Knicks during the 1996 NBA Playoffs.
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