A Success-Phil career - This edition of Throwback Thursday, we take a look back at the career of current L.A. Lakers head coach Phil Jackson. Jackson, who's better known as a coach, also served his time as a player. Starting his career with the New York Knicks in 1967, Jackson became a fan favorite coming off the bench. Although he wasn't a huge role player for the Knicks' championship run in 1970 and '73, he became well known for his defensive play. Jackson would finish his playing career with the New Jersey Nets where he played for two seasons before retiring in 1980. Although the 6 ft 8 in forward had a decent go around on the hardwood, it wasn't long before his winning reputation as a coach came along. But it wasn't as easy as one would think. Before landing the head coaching job with the Chicago Bulls, many team's turned Jackson down when seeking a job as a coach. Little did they know that P-Jax would later become one of the greatest to ever draw up plays.
Jackson became the brains behind the operation, utilizing the triangle offense, earning the reputation as the "Zen Master". Coaching a Bulls team led by Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and the infamous Dennis Rodman among others, Jackson became the team's most winningest head coach, and helped guide them to six NBA tittles, including two three-peats from 1991-'93 and '96-'98. After taking a year off at the end of the '98 season and vowing to never coach again, Jackson would return in '99, this time with the L.A. Lakers. With a different scenery having migrated to the Western Conference, the former NBA Coach of the Year wouldn't take long to adapt. In just his first year coaching in Hollywood, Jackson's Lakers would three-peat as NBA Champions from 2000-'02.
Jackson would once again retire from coaching, just days after losing his first ever NBA Finals series in 2004. But similar to his return in '99, the "Zen Master" would find himself back under the bright lights of Tinsel Town for the 2005-'06 NBA season. With his rehiring, Jackson would have to get used to coaching a Laker team without it's key big man in Shaquille O'neal. After missing out on the NBA Finals until 2008, Jackson would get his first taste of the long lived Lakers-Celtics rivalry. However, his team would be on the losing end, after just six games. L.A. would redeem themselves the following year by defeating the Orlando Magic, resulting in Jackson's 10th NBA tittle as a coach and 12th overall. With a record 10th tittle, Jackson surpassed the great Red Auerbach for the most Championships won as a head coach.
& Just one night after Kobe set the franchise record for most points all-time as a Laker, Jackson became the most winningest coach in franchise history with a win over the Charlotte Bobcats. With his 534th win as a Laker head coach, Jackson surpassed the previous mark of 533 wins held by Pat Riley. The 2009-'10 season is said to be Jackson's last at the throne of the Lakers head coach, but with the best record in the Western Conference and sole possession of first place, there's no telling what the future holds for the 'Master of Zen' if the Lakers just happen to repeat as World Champions this year. With Jeanie Buss under his arm, the chances of a return are always good.
No comments:
Post a Comment