Phil Jackson is one of the biggest names in Basketball history. Though not known much as a player, the Montana born became one of the very best coaches in basketball.
His earliest success story was written alongside basketball great Michael Jordan at Chicago Bulls. With basketball’s greatest player by his side, Jackson led the Bulls to six NBA championships in 11 years. On an individual front, Jackson was awarded NBA coach of the year in 1996.
Tension with Chicago Bulls’ general manager proved costly for Jackson as he left the Bulls team in 1998 vowing to never coach again. After a one-year sabbatical, however, Jackson returned to coaching again, this time with Los Angeles Lakers.
This is where Jackson was united with another basketball great Shaquille O’Neal. In a recent episode of The Big Podcast Shaq has spilled some beans about the relationship between himself, coach Jackson and Jerry West. O’Neal has revealed that Jackson was so angry at West in one match that he told the basketball player to, “get the f*ck out.”
Talking about the incident, O’Neal said, “I was on the record of saying that if Jerry is not here, I’m not gonna be here so Jerry was my guy. Jerry was the one who brought me here and I have love and respect for Jerry.” Shaq also explained that it was he who suggested Jerry West to bring Phil Jackson from Chicago Bulls to Los Angeles Lakers after the legendary coach announced his retirement from the sport.
“So when he left the Bulls, I told Jerry West, ‘Just get him in here.’ This is Jerry, ‘Well, we don’t want to run the triangle.’ I said just bring him in, “revealed Shaquille O’Neal.
Phil Jackson took retirement from the sport in 2011 after being with Los Angeles Lakers for 12 years. In that time, he took the Lakers to five NBA Champions trophies. Additionally, he also coaches the NBA All-Star Game on four occasions (1992, 1996, 2000, 2009).
