With his mega-superstar not playing up to expectations Phil Jackson is showing the league what a lot of people have suspected all along. He's not that great of a coach. As with the Jordanless Bulls he's showing that at best he's an average coach who can't do much without his megastars making him look good. As a disclaimer I feel obligated to state that my opinion on Phil Jackson is influenced by a deepseated hatred of all the bandwagon bulls and lakers fans and sportswriters who continually chirp about what a awesome coach this guy is despite him never having proved any coaching ability such as turning a bad team into a great team. Down with Phil Jackson!
Before you post, you really have to ask yourself whether a thread about Phil Jackson and the Lakers belongs in the Rockets forum... Moving this to the NBA Forum.
I couldn't agree with you more. Phil is totally overated. then, again, we have to admit he is smart enough to choose to coach teams loaded with the talents. Above all, I don't think he will ever coach a bad team.
Notice how the Bulls got dismantled: Jordan: "Well, I'm finally throwing it in." Pippen: "And I'm leaving." Rodman: "Me too." All: "Well, let's say bye to Phil... Phil? Where'd he go?" (Slow motion of Jackson running, screaming "NOOOOO!!! My win percentage! NOOOOO!!!")
Same as when he first took over the Lakers and won the championship......leave Phil out of the equation, add Tex Winter + other assistant coaches, one head coach with half a brain and they still win. Same equation for his days with Chicago. Both teams just needed those few years before their victories to become familiar with each other, and individual players to mature.
I am not sure this thread needed to be moved from the Rockets forum. The main message of the thread was that Phill is not so great when the talent he has to work with includes the likes of Tracy Murray. And as you know from the main BBS page Tracy Murray is your ticket to the Rockets forum.
You guys have all underestimated Phil Jackson's talent. Phil Jackson is extremely brilliant . . . in timing his decision to join a team as their head coach.
Phil Jackson! Did anyone see the OT game in Philly with the Lakers? That was a brilliant play that he made.....just Rick Fox couldn't catch the ball for an easy layup. Anyways, Phil Jackson has to be a master at coaching to be able to win how many championships? TOO MANY! Maybe he has always had the best of the best. And now it will be interesting to see if he can lead the Lakers to the playoffs once again and maybe win the World Championship. If he does, that will prove that he is a great coach.
That is MUCH easier said than done. Remember when people said that Shaq would never win a ring? You guys are overvaluing X's and O's. The players who have played under Phil, are the first to acknowledge how great of a coach he is. He does a great job of motivation (when it matters), as well as letting his players know what they are expected to do. Everyone of his teams in the past and present have had an indentity.
Phil is a good coach. He can draw up a play out of a time-out. He does have his team prepared and ready to play. He understands and exploits matchups. He gets players to understand and accept their roles. Players look better with him than they do when they leave. Unfortunately, he is also a smug goober.
One of Phil's specialties is taming thugs. He got the most out Dennis Rodman. Rodman was just a biotch under other coaches, except for Chuck Daly. He has only respect for Daly and Jackson as coaches. He even went on Jay Leno show saying "I love you Phil, I'm waiting for your call." when he wanted to play for the Lakers. Phil maintains his authority while makes his players feel close. Oneal says Phil is like his white father and is only willing to play on the Dream Team had Phil been nominated as the coach. All shows Phil has good grasp on managing relationships, a sign of good coaching.
Phil is a solid coach, but not the best coach. He draws up decent plays and runs a good system. But his main strength is as a good motivator and an even better psychologist, this season notwithstanding. He knows when to push and when to let his players sort it out. I don't think Phil is *the* reason why the Bulls and Lakers won championships, but he's one part of the reason. And yes, he is smug and difficult to like. But I think he deserves some respect.
