Phil Jackson never shied away from expressing his thoughts, regardless of how it would come across. He has a unique way of criticizing players and teams, which was very evident in his infamous “asterisk” comment about the 1999 San Antonio Spurs.
As a key member of that championship team, former Spurs point guard Avery Johnson fired back at Jackson. Undoubtedly offended by the legendary coach’s remarks, Johnson also emphasized a hole in Jackson’s legacy.
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“It was just so disrespectful. I think the real asterisk was when Phil was president of the Knicks,” Johnson said in an interview with ESPN in 2020.” It completely ignores all the hard work we put in that season.”
Avery couldn’t believe Phil said it again
During the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season, the Spurs finished as the best team in the league. Jackson’s argument was rooted in fewer games played, which he firmly believed had affected every team’s preparation and rhythm.
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Nevertheless, the Spurs swept both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers en route to the Finals that year. During the championship series, New York Knicks star center Patrick Ewing was sidelined due to an injury, which may have contributed to Jackson’s belief that the Spurs’ run that year should have an asterisk.
Phil’s comment did not sit well with the San Antonio faithful for obvious reasons. However, what ticked Johnson off even more was that Jackson apparently had to say it again after the Spurs won another NBA title.
“What’s most disappointing about Phil’s asterisk statement was not so much the first time he said it, but five or seven years later when he felt the need to regurgitate it, after Pop had won his second ring,” Johnson added.
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Someone once said, "The Spurs will never win a championship with Avery Johnson as their point guard." But on June 25, 1999, the Spurs clinched their first title with me as the point guard, defeating the Knicks.#CoachAvery #NBAChampionship #Champion pic.twitter.com/XZmpSdWe80
— Avery Johnson (@CoachAvery6) June 26, 2024
Jackson says Duncan was the only exception
Phil had all the time to observe the Spurs closely during the 1998-99 season. At the time, the Lakers were recruiting him to become head coach.
Admittedly, Jackson wasn’t impressed by Tim Duncan, but his stance shifted when the legendary power forward led the Spurs to higher heights in 1999. For the Zen Master, the Spurs’ championship run that season still deserves an asterisk, but Duncan was probably the only exception.
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“Then came my year away, the Asterisk season of 1998-99, when the league started in February following a lockout,” Jackson once reflected. “The Spurs, Tim and David Robinson were terrific in those playoffs.”
“I watched them in the series vs. the Los Angeles Lakers that year and saw how effective Tim was going to be,” he acknowledged. “The Spurs swept the Lakers, and it cast doubt on my decision to go to L.A.”
The Spurs never earned Jackson’s respect
Jackson learned firsthand how tough the Spurs were when his Lakers crossed paths with San Antonio once again in 2003. It was an epic rematch as the Purple and Gold swept them in Phil’s debut postseason with L.A. in 2000.
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In 2003, despite being the defending champions, the Lakers struggled to contain Duncan and the Spurs. San Antonio then closed the series out in six games and went on to eventually win their second championship.
The Spurs would win three more championships in the next 11 years. However, they still never earned Jackson’s utmost respect. For Phil, San Antonio has won multiple titles, but they don’t qualify as a dynasty as they have never won at least two in a row.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 20, 2025, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.