Legendary head coach Phil Jackson joined the Los Angeles Lakers with six championship rings on his fingers. With a hefty resume, the Zen Master was expected to guide the Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant-led team to not one, but multiple NBA championships. The Lakers, after all, are a prized franchise known for their winning culture.
People skills
Jackson went right to work by delivering a title to L.A. in his very first season as its coach. He implemented the triangle offense to perfection, unveiled the potential of Kobe and Shaq, and ushered in a new era in Los Angeles. Winning was truly in the head coach’s DNA.
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By 2001, Phil was poised to bring another chip to Tinseltown. Amid his successes, the Zen Master remained humble. He claimed that he usually stepped in as head coach when the team was already ripe for success. Jackson believed that his landing of the coveted Lakers head coaching post didn’t necessarily hinge on his mastery of the Xs and Os, but his past and people skills.
“There’s no doubt about it,” Jackson said in 2001, via the Los Angeles Times. “The fortunate coaching record I have is due to having teams that are ready to win and capable of winning. The ability of the Chicago Bulls to play at a vaulted level twice in the ’90s is what I rode in a fortunate aspect of getting this job, probably by reputation and not by skill. Because people know that I really didn’t have the skill to have this job. But the reputation that allowed me to come here gave me credibility to work with these players.”
“That wasn’t why [I got the job],” he said. “It was more or less that I could deal with people as a coach that had managerial skills, which I demonstrated terrifically this year.”
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Coaching in the NBA is one of the most demanding jobs in the world. Having a formidable roster is just one part of the championship equation. A team needs a coach who knows how to manage egos, run quick plays, and guide the team through tense moments. Coach Jackson was being modest.
Jealousy?
Forward Horace Grant, who was part of the Bulls’ first three-peat, doesn’t quite agree with Jackson’s analysis of his career. Grant saw certain similarities between the Bulls and Lakers. Likeness doesn’t mean anything at the highest level.
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Horace reiterated that it takes a very skilled coach to harness their potential. As for Jackson’s haters who claim he’s just being carried by his Hall of Fame players, Grant believes they’re just envious of the Zen Master.
“When you’ve won so many championships and you walk with a little arrogance about you, a lot of coaches will be jealous,” Grant said. “I mean, so many guys are jealous of Michael Jordan. So many guys are jealous of Shaq, jealous of Kobe around the league. So, it’s just jealousy, that’s all.”
Jackson’s unassuming persona enabled him to keep his eyes on the prize. He didn’t take being head coach for granted. Phil knew that winning a chip in the league involves lots of hours, sacrifices, and maybe even some locker room tension. Once you begin to understand the demands and answer them, you’ll be closer and closer to success and its joys.
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This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 7, 2025, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.