Los Angeles Lakers: Why Shaquille O’Neal is wrong about the Bulls

Michael Jordan’s Phil Jackson was a better coach than Shaquille O’Neal’s

The obvious reason that this discussion is purely theoretical is because Phil Jackson coached both three-peats. Let’s take the discussion in another direction. Let’s break down which Phil Jackson was better. Was Jordan’s version better in Chicago or Shaquille O’Neal’s in Los Angeles?

Jordan’s Phil Jackson:

Many NBA fans forget that Phil Jackson was actually lucky to get the Bulls job in the late 80’s. Not many teams were even considering him to join their staff before Jerry Krause put him on the staff to assist Doug Collins. Yes, Jerry Krause hooked him up with a job.

This is not to say that Jackson could not coach. Before his playing career was derailed by injuries, he shadowed Red Holzman during the New York Knicks stint as a player back in 1973. Jackson also coached a CBA team (The now-defunct Continental Basketball Association. This is what the G-League is today with even less money!) called the Albany Patroons and won coach of the year in 1985.

In short, Phil Jackson took the scenic route to greatness.

When Doug Collins was fired, Jackson implemented Tex Winter’s famous “Triangle offense” that irritated Michael Jordan to no end. At this time, Jordan was known not to trust his teammates which the “Bad Boy”  Detroit Pistons used to no end to frustrate Jordan.

Plus, Scottie Pippen wasn’t “Scottie” yet. He had some growing to do after the migraine game. No team goes anywhere without the star player buying into the system. ESPECIALLY THE TRIANGLE OFFENSE! Phil Jackson got the respect of not only the greatest, but most stubborn NBA players in history to believe in the concept of empowering his teammates.

At the end of the dynasty? Well who do you think came up with the title of the ESPN documentary we’re all watching back in 1997-98? If anyone saw the first two episodes (If you didn’t what were you doing?) it’s plain to see the challenges of keeping the team focused.

Shaquille O’Neal’s Phil Jackson: 

Phil Jackson was already a celebrity at this time. He wasn’t Jordan, Pippen or Rodman famous, but he was known at the time as one of the greatest coaches of all time. There was Pat Riley and Red Auerbach at the upper echelon of head coaches.

That’s it. No one else. Lenny Wilkens didn’t have enough rings, Gregg Popovich wasn’t “Pop” yet and Phil Jackson had one quote from Michael Jordan at the time that made him untouchable.

"I mean, I won’t play unless it’s for Phil."

Did Phil Jackson do a great job with the Los Angeles Lakers? Sure. Three NBA titles, four Western Conference titles in five years before the Shaq/Kobe era blew up. If no one thought the man could coach without superstars, maybe the back to back titles at the end of the decade without Shaq cemented his legacy for the haters.

But for this exercise, the Chicago version of Phil Jackson was better because he really had no choice. Jerry Krause was doing his best to replace him behind the scenes. Scottie Pippen was angry over his money situation wanting to be traded. That was a lot.

But to win Michael Jordan over? That’s gives Chicago the coaching edge.

There’s another player that gets looked over that played for both teams. People really need to read up on this dude.