Phil Jackson: The most successful NBA coach

• Phil Jackson is widely regarded as one of the greatest NBA coaches of all time. 
• With 11 NBA titles, Jackson is the most successful coach in the NBA. 
• Before becoming a coach, he played for the New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets in the NBA. 

Phi Jackson is widely regarded as one of the greatest NBA coaches of all time. He is the most successful NBA coach.

Phil Jackson won 11 NBA titles as a coach, surpassing the previous record of nine, which was set by Red Auerbach.

Phil Jackson. Photo/ NBA.com.

The American international was named NBA Coach of the Year in 1996. He was the coach of the NBA All-star team on four occasions.

Jackson was known for using Tex Winter’s triangle offence. 

Before becoming a coach, Phil Jackson was a basketball player. He played for the New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets in the NBA. 

A power forward, Jackson won two NBA championships with the Knicks in 1970 and 1973. The two-time NCC Player of the Year was in NBA All-Rookie First Team in 1968. 

Due to his achievements on the court, Phil Jackson was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007. 

Early Life 

Phil Jackson was born to Charles Jackson and Elisabeth Funk on September 17, 1945, in Deer Lodge, Montana.

Jackson’s parents were ministers at Assemblies of God. His father preached on Sunday mornings, while his mother preached in the afternoons. 

Jackson grew up knowing he would follow in his parent’s footsteps and become a minister of God. 

The future NBA star watched his first movie when he was a senior in high school because he grew up in a remote area where TV was not allowed. 

Phil Jackson played varsity basketball at his high school in North Dakota, where he also played football and participated in track and field events. 

Jackson helped his high school win a state title in basketball before Bill Fitch recruited him to the University of North Dakota. 

The future Knicks star was a Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity member, where he impressed during matches. He was a good all-around athlete who showed the potential to become a star. 

Playing Career 

The New York Knicks drafted Phil Jackson in the second round in 1967. He had little playing time but soon established himself as a fan favourite. 

Jackson did not play during the 1969-70 championship season due to spinal fusion surgery. He was part of the Knicks squad that won the 1973 NBA title. 

Jackson joined the New Jersey Jets in 1978 and played for two seasons before retiring as a player. 

Coaching Career 

Phil Jackson, the most successful NBA coach, began his coaching career immediately after ending his playing career. 

He won his first coaching championship in 1984 while with the Albany Patroons in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). Jackson was the CBA Coach of the Year in 1985.

Phil Jackson. Photo/ Sporting News.

The future Basketball Hall of Famer moved to Puerto Rico, where he coached the Piratas de Quebradillas and the Gallitos de Isabela. During his time in Puerto Rico, he regularly applied for coaching jobs in the NBA. 

Phil Jackson got the chance to be a coach in the NBA in 1987 when Chicago Bulls hired him as an assistant coach. Two years later, he was the head coach. 

Jackson coached the Chicago Bulls for nine seasons leading them to six championships. He left the Chicago Bulls in 1998, saying that he would never coach again. 

However, he changed his mind the following year as he joined the Los Angeles Lakers. In his first season, Jackson guided the Lakers to win the 2000 NBA championship. He led them to win two more titles in 2001 and 2002. 

Phil Jackson left his position as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2004. His successor, Rudy Tomjanovich, guided the team for half a season before quitting his job due to medical issues. 

The Lakers rehired Phil Jackson, who remained as head coach until 2011, when he ended his coaching career. 

After Retirement 

Phil Jackson, the most successful NBA coach, joined the New York Knicks executive as president on March 18, 2014. He signed a five-year contract with the club worth $60 million. 

Jackson and the Knicks parted ways on June 28, 2017.

Phil Jackson was president of the Knicks between 2014 and 2017. Photo/ Diario As.