Phil Jackson's success stems more from being a coach of talent and egos than as a player. The question is can he translate his communication and tactical skills into running a New York Knicks team from an office and not the bench - (NBA - photo)

In a harmonious relationship Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson clicked to win six NBA titles together - ( Steve Lipofsky photo)   Scotty Pippen blended in with the harmonious relationship of Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson creating a happy title winning atmosphere - (Maxi Basket photo)

SPORTS NOTES - JACKSON (Phil) BACK IN ACTION

James Loving/National Radio Text Service

Phil Jackson, now New York Knicks president of basketball operations, is an NBA legend in his own time. He is the leagues winningest coach. He also is a prime example of toughing it out. Jackson's success didn't come easy. From enduring a fused back as a player he has dealt with and survived the egos of former bosses and players alike. When one is looking for a winner then look for Phil Jackson

Sunday, March 30, 2014

JACKSON's ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

One of the biggest sports news stories of the month is Phil Jackson signing on to be the President of the failing New York Knicks. Jackson returns to the team that signed him as an NBA player in the 2nd round (17th pick overall) of the 1967 NBA draft. Jackson was a member of two Knicks NBA title teams although due to an injury he failed to play be on the Knicks 1970 title team roster according to NBA records.

Having been aware of Jackson since his days as a player it was easy to recognize that he wasn't the smoothest player on the court but the hardest working. He had limited playing talent but got the most out of his skills with hustle and effort. What he benefited from was acquiring the championship mentality being a support player on a team Knicks with hall of fame players and witnessing how coach Red Holzman blended them together into a solid winning team.

Jackson became the head coach of the Chicago Bulls from 1989 until 1998, during which Chicago won six NBA titles. His next team, the Los Angeles Lakers, won five NBA titles from 2000 until 2010. In total, Jackson has won 11 NBA titles as a coach, surpassing the previous record of nine set by Red Auerbach.

He is given credit for being a member of two championships as a player with the Knicks in 1970 and 1973, but was we mentioned did not play on the 1970 squad due to spinal fusion surgery. Despite the lack of acknowledgment of his absence he is given credit for holding the NBA record for the most combined championships (13) as a player and a head coach. He also has the highest winning percentage of any NBA coach (.704).

Jackson's success stems more from being a coach of talent and egos than as a player. The question is can he translate his communication and tactical skills into running a Knicks team from an office and not the bench.

His first major coaching challenge was as the head coach of the Albany Patroons of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) where he honed his skills of communicating with players. While in the CBA, he won his first coaching championship, leading the Patroons to their first CBA title in 1984.

Our next exposure to Jackson was in 1989 during our rookie year covering the NBA when he was the Chicago Bulls assistant coach to Doug Collins. It was a job that the Bulls management gave him when they dismissed Collins. It was then that Jackson started on his ride to become one of the greatest coaches in NBA history.

Over 9 seasons, Jackson coached the Bulls to 6 championships, winning three straight championships over separate three-year periods. The "three-peat" was the first since the Boston Celtics won eight titles in a row from 1959 through 1966.

The Bulls job was his first test in his ability to handle massive egos of the super talents of Michael Jordan and Scotty Pippen. He blended their skills with players that complimented each other leading to title success.

When Jordan left the team to play baseball there was nothing Jackson could do to maintain their NBA title winning streak. Without Jordan the team experienced two straight non title seasons. It was clear that without great talent Jackson couldn't win it only with his coaching skills he needed the players to execute his ideas.

Jackson learned to live with pain both physically and mentally which could be the primary reason that he can relate to players and their problems so well.

Despite the Bulls' success, tension between Jackson and Bulls general manager Jerry Krause grew. Some believed that Krause felt under-recognized for building a championship team and believed that Jackson was indebted to him for giving him his first NBA coaching job. In the summer of 1997, Jackson was not invited to the wedding of Krause's stepdaughter, although all of the Bulls' assistant coaches were, as was Tim Floyd, then head coach at Iowa State, Jackson's eventual successor.

After contentious negotiations, Jackson was signed for the 1997-98 season only. Krause announced the signing by emphasizing that Jackson would not be rehired even if the Bulls won the 1997-98 title. Jackson then told Krause that he seemed to be rooting for the other side, to which Krause responded, "I don't care if it's 82-and-0 this year, and you're fucking gone." Krause publicly portrayed Jackson as a two-faced character who had very little regard for his assistant coaches.

After the Bulls' final title of the Jordan era in 1998, Jackson left the team vowing never to coach again. However, after taking a year off, he decided to give it another chance with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1999 and with his ZEN MAGIC tuned that losing team around.

NEXT - The ZEN MAN transformed FAKER LAKERS to NBA TITILE WINNERS

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