Phil Jackson, who guided the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships in his nine years as head coach, returned to the basketball after a one-year sabbatical and led the Los Angeles Lakers to the 2000 NBA title in his first season as their coach. Jackson was named the head coach of the Lakers on June 16, 1999. Prior to his arrival, the Lakers were a team loaded with talent but couldn't get past the second round of the playoffs. Under Jackson, the Lakers won an NBA-best 67 games in the regular season and more importantly going all the way in the playoffs. As a basketball player in the 1970s, he adopted the New York Knicks' unselfish, team-oriented style of play. These defining qualities have been put to best use in his role as coach. Firm but not severe, Jackson neither babies nor bullies his players. Instead he gives them the opportunity to learn for themselves how to succeed, and a structure in which they can win as a team. Jackson's 13-year playing career, spent primarily with the New York Knicks, prepared him for his coaching challenge. Jackson played in New York until 1978, when he went to the New Jersey Nets as a player-assistant coach. He retired in 1980 after 13 years in the league, having averaged 6.7 points and 4.3 rebounds over 807 contests. He also picked up valuable experience as an award-winning head coach in the Continental Basketball Association and as an assistant coach in Chicago under the fiery Doug Collins. Jackson's break came on Dec. 17, 1988 when the high-strung Collins was ejected early in the game. Jackson took over in what normally is a placeholder role, tinkered with the team's defense and told the players to just go out and play. Two months later Collins was out and Jackson was in. By 1990-91 the Bulls brought home the 25-year-old franchise's first title. In 1991-92 the Bulls repeated as champions, and the following year. The Bulls established themselves as one of the league's all-time great teams by taking their third straight title. In 1999-2000 Jackson moved to Los Angeles, sold the Lakers on his offensive and defensive philosophies and spurred O'Neal and Bryant to the best seasons of their careers. The result was an NBA championship, something Los Angeles hadn't seen in more than a decade.
Phil Jackson