Phil Jackson is regarded as among the greatest coaches in NBA history. His calmness earned him the nickname “Zen Master.” He marked his unbelievable coaching career by leading the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers franchises, winning an incredible 11 NBA championships—still an active record in the history of the NBA.
Before starting his coaching career, Phil Jackson won 2 NBA championships as a player for the New York Knicks, where he also served as a president from 2014-2017 after his coaching career finished. He didn’t leave a significant mark for the Knicks, but his influence on the game during his coaching career earned him a place among true basketball legends.
Phil Jackson is known not only for his success but also for his ability to work with the best players in NBA league history, like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O’Neal, who have proven incredibly successful.
Phil Jackson’s Coaching Style
The popular Zen Master used every detail that he could. He always managed to calm down the egos of the greatest basketball players. Phil always believed that chemistry is the key to a successful team and always had a method that forced players to understand each other.
- The Triangle Offense is one of the most revolutionary tactical ideas in NBA history. It began with three players on the court forming a triangle, while the remaining two created spacing and options for ball movement. This theory shaped Phil Jackson’s coaching style, evolving into the intelligence and selflessness of his players.
- The Zen Master method refers to Phil Jackson’s and his players’ mental state to build team chemistry and mutual understanding on and off the court. He was simply like that, and his results showed that players liked his coaching style.
- Coaching big personalities was Jackson’s specialty. Later, it was revealed that Phil and MJ weren’t on the same side, but while they worked together, it worked incredibly well. They respected each other when it mattered the most, and the Bulls were by far the strongest team in the NBA 90’s era.
- Championship mentality is his specialty, too, the numbers say. Phil Jackson is the most decorated coach in NBA history, with 11 championships. He did it six times with the Chicago Bulls and five times with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The legendary coach always focused on team dynamics and chemistry. His methods were very successful, according to the numbers. Most basketball fans are now comparing Phil Jackson and the new Lakers coach, JJ Redick. Of course, JJ has much more to prove, but there are apparent similarities.
Does JJ Redick Have a Ring? Could He Follow Jackson’s Footsteps?
Many new coaches follow Phil Jackson’s footsteps, and analysts are increasingly putting pressure on JJ Reddick by comparing him to a legendary coach. JJ Reddick has always been known as a player with a high basketball IQ, and any comparison to Phil Jackson is a great compliment but also a lot of pressure.
It’s too early to draw any conclusions, but JJ Redick certainly has the potential to be as successful as Phil, or at least close to it. He seems to have a strong, talented team led by Lebron and Luka. It looks like team management trusts him a lot, and he could have a promising future as a head coach of the Lakers.
All-Time Lakers Starting 5: Who Fit Jackson’s System Best?
The Lakers’ all-time starting five is always a dilemma. There are so many NBA legends who have worn Lakers jerseys throughout history. If we talk about the best coach in the LA Lakers’ history, Phil is the strongest candidate, but who are the top five players who brought the most happiness to L.A. fans?
- Magic Johnson is the first name to come to mind when you think about playmaking. One of the best passers in the NBA and one of the greatest basketball players of all time. His career was a bit shorter due to illness, but a combination of his and Phil’s selflessness would have worked perfectly together.
- Kobe Bryant is simply someone who has to be mentioned when talking about the all-time Lakers starting 5. He is probably the first name when you think of the Lakers franchise. His entire career was dedicated to one team, most of which was spent with Phil Jackson, with whom he had a fantastic relationship and won 5 NBA championships together.
- Lebron James joined the Lakers “after his prime,” or at least that’s what people thought. The brilliant King crowned his incredible career by bringing a trophy to the Lakers after a break of 10 years. He’s a great worker and a true leader, and his qualities would fit perfectly into Phil Jackson’s coaching style.
- Kareem Abdul Jabbar was the best player of his generation and, for sure, one of the greatest players the game has ever seen. Alongside Magic, he dominated the 1980s era with the Lakers.
- Shaquille O’Neal is one of the most dominant players in NBA history and one of the Laker’s greats. He won 4 championships alongside Kobe Bryant, including a historic three-peat coached by Phil Jackson.
Basketball Sponsors and Evolution of the Game
Basketball is becoming more popular by the day, and we can see it in massive contracts that continue to rise. New NBA sponsors, shoe deals, and brands supporting the teams and the league are increasing. NBA teams have secured many basketball sponsors, especially the teams with huge traditions, like the Lakers and Celtics.
Interestingly, the NBA was against the sponsors from the casino industry, but since 2021, teams have started to secure partnerships with gambling companies. Casino sponsors are expanding rapidly in sports, wasting no time forming new alliances. The Cavaliers and 76ers are leading the way with significant gambling sponsorships.
With regulatory changes, the number of these sponsors in the NBA is expected to rise even further. Many of the best payout casinos offer casino games and NBA betting options, which are becoming increasingly popular, especially betting on the players’ stats. The NBA is the most popular basketball league globally, and brands have few opportunities to boost their visibility. These sponsorships work for both of them, and much like soccer, many more NBA teams will accept them in the future.
Will Anyone Surpass Phil Jackson’s Success?
Phil Jackson’s record isn’t talked about as much as it should be, but it remains one of the most challenging achievements in NBA history. The legendary coach won 11 championships with the Bulls and Lakers. Even more incredible, he achieved a three-peat with both teams. He became one of the most significant figures in NBA history, and his record won’t be broken for many more years.
The league continues to evolve, and new coaches like JJ Redick know this era perfectly. Will he use his extensive experience as a player to become one of the great NBA coaches? Who knows? He faces immense pressure, especially since this is his first coaching opportunity. It’s still too early for any potential record talks, but for now, it’s clear that he has the potential and the team to achieve a lot of success
