Phil Jackson – Coach of the Century to retire?
Phil Jackson plans on returning for his 82 regular season but is in a dilemma after witnessing his fellow coach George Karl Struggle. Jackson said "I'm leaning toward retiring, but I have not made up my mind."
The world-renowned basketball player turned coach winning his 11th championship this year against Boston Celtics.
Phil started as a head coach in 1989 for the Chicago Bulls after Dough Collins retired. He took Chicago to win 6 NBA championship titles since then. Jackson won his first title in 1990-91 winning against Los Angeles Lakers eliminating them in the Finals. His next two consecutive titles were in 92 and 93; winning against Portland Trail Blazers in 92 and beat Phoenix Suns in 93.
Then came the Jordan era, where the remarkable coach and marvellous player took their team to win another three consecutive titles from 96-98. In 96’ Chicago defeated Seattle SuperSonics 4-2 winning their 4th Championship after 3 years.
1997 was a significant year for the NBA as many superstars of today made their debut; Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and Ray Allen. Jackson took his team to the finals again defeating Miami Heat in the conference Finals, taking the team to play against Utah Jazz who they won against in the Championship Finals.
1998 was an impressive year; it was like history repeating itself in the NBA. Jackson took his 6th title playing against the Utah Jazz once again for the 2nd time in two years by 4-2. Although many thought for it to be the finish of the Golden-Era as Michael Jordan’s contract ended with the Bulls and Jackson’s constant dispute with the Bulls manager Doug Collins grew over the years which led to Jackson leaving the team as well.
After that Phil Jackson swore he would never coach again although after a year’s break, the infamous coach returned starting off in 2000 as L.A. Lakers Coach.
Some people say that Jackson has been a lucky coach throughout his career, and it is true to quite an extent as he took over, one of the most talented teams of the millennium and before that in the 90’s.
With rising stars like Kobe Bryant to support the team and his dominating duo with Shaquille O’Neal was impeccable, following with one of the most supportive and vigorous filled rooster. Former players from the Bulls, Ron Harper and Horace Grant added to the team’s sturdiness.
Although Jackson and Bryant started having issues and the team also slowed down over the years due to the cold war between Kobe and Shaq, the team still managed to steal 3 consecutive titles from 2000-02 with an amazing 84.1% of winnings in a regular season. In 2000 the Lakers hammered Indiana Pacers in the Finals by 4-2 winning their 11th championships after a 12 year gap and Jackson winning his 7th championship title. By 2001 the Lakers being the favourites, eradicated the underdogs Philadelphia 76ers by 4 games to 1. The team by 2002 was one of the most feared teams in NBA right next to the Boston Celtics, their rivals. However the Lakers era did not end till they won another title against the New Jersey Nets, in which they literally penetrated through the team by winning 4 games to nil.
However in the next following 5 years the Lakers might not have won a championship but Phil took his team to the finals twice. 2008 was a disappointing year for Phil as they lost to their long time rivals Boston Celtics although that was not the end of it. Phil kept the team motivated and they ended up winning the championship the next two years. By 09’ Lakers finished off Denver Nuggets in the Conference Final and then destroying Orland Magic in the NBA finals by 4 games to 1.
2010 was the best year for Phil Jackson as he finished their age-long rivals the Boston Celtics in the final round by 4-2, this particular game was one of the most watched games in the history of NBA, with over 25 million viewers across the nation; Phil winning his 11th remarkable NBA Championship title, made history in NBA by winning the most titles ever won by any coach.
Phil Jackson without any hesitation is the best coach in the history of the NBA, despite his ego related issues with players and other coaches over the years; the man has proved to be the best coach ever to live by his countless championship winnings on and off season.
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