- Born
- Birth namePhilip Douglas Jackson
- Nicknames
- Zen Master
- Bones
- Head n' Shoulders
- Action Jackson
- PJ
- Height6′ 8″ (2.03 m)
- Phil Jackson is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
A power forward, Jackson played 12 seasons in the NBA, winning NBA championships with the New York Knicks in 1970 and 1973. Jackson was the head coach of the Chicago Bulls from 1989 to 1998. He coached the Bulls to six NBA championships. He then coached the Los Angeles Lakers from 1999 to 2004 and again from 2005 to 2011; the team won five NBA championships under his leadership. Jackson's 11 NBA titles as a coach surpassed the previous record of nine set by Red Auerbach. He also holds the NBA record for the most combined championships, winning a total of 13 as a player and a coach.
Phil Jackson is known for his use of Tex Winter's triangle offense as well as a holistic approach to coaching that was influenced by Eastern philosophy, garnering him the nickname "Zen Master". Jackson cited Robert Pirsig's book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance as one of the major guiding forces in his life. He also applied Native American spiritual practices, as documented in his book Sacred Hoops. He is the author of several candid books about his teams and his basketball strategies. In 2007, Jackson was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. In 1996, as part of celebrations for the National Basketball Association's 50th anniversary, Jackson was named one of the 10 greatest coaches in league history.
Jackson retired from coaching in 2011 and joined the Knicks as an executive in March 2014.- IMDb Mini Biography By: Tango Papa
- SpousesJune Perry(October 1974 - September 2001) (divorced, 4 children)Maxine Monkman(September 3, 1967 - 1972) (divorced, 1 child)
- Natty dress attire
- Uses eastern philosophy (notably his beliefs in Zen Buddhism) in his coaching basketball teams.
- Considered among the all-time greatest NBA head-coaches with his 11 Championships, his first six were as a coach of Chicago Bulls, in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 1998, with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen his two top players. His five as head-coaching the Los Angales Lakers were in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009 and 2010. And his first two were as an athlete of the New York Knicks (original team name, Knickerbockers), were in 1970 and 1973. During one series, he was unable to play while recovering from an injury to his spine and spinal surgery.
- Coach of the Los Angeles Lakers
- After being away from the NBA for a year, has re-signed with the Los Angeles Lakers as head coach.
- Divorced his second wife June when she refused to moved to Los Angeles, California after he was named head coach of the L.A. Lakers on June 16, 1999.
- Played for the New York Knicks 1967-1978, and the New Jersey Nets 1978-1980. His 2 NBA Championship rings as an athlete were in 1970 and 1973. Was a player/assistant coach combo for the Nets.
- I gave it my body and mind, but I have kept my soul.
- Wisdom is always an overmatch for strength.
- Approach the game with no preset agendas and you'll probably come away surprised at your overall efforts.
- Always keep an open mind and a compassionate heart.
- If you meet the Buddha in the lane, feed him the ball.
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