Is Phil Jackson the greatest coach in NBA history or just the lucky benefactor of two highly favorable situations where he was allowed to win numerous titles without having to mold talent like other coaches?
It's the type of question that has divided not only sports fans, but also NBA sportswriters. Michael Wilbon argues that while he has usually had great players, "probably more importantly—they've had him."
Wilbon adds that Michael Jordan and Shaquille O'Neal "never won squat without Jackson at the helm" and that even usually intelligent basketball experts continue to question his place among the leagues greatest coaches.
Sports talk radio announcer Christopher Russo sees Jackson's career differently.
"He had Michael Jordan for his first six titles and then Shaq and Kobe for [five] more," Russo said. "He wins because he has talented teams to start with. He has never built a team from scratch the way a Larry Brown has or the way Red Auerbach did. He's a good coach, but until I see him take a team that was initially terrible and turn it into a champion, I will question his place among the league's greatest coaches ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NBA
Article written by Robert Felton
Would Phil Jackson’s 12th Title Establish Him as NBA’s Greatest Coach Ever?
September 11th, 2010 by Robert Felton Leave a reply »
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