BY ERIC NORTON
When the concept of this series came to mind I wanted to just focus on the starting five of the Bulls ’97-98 team, but I had to add Phil to the mix. He was the architect of the triangle offense the drove the Bulls to six rings. He’s a hippie, a mystic, and unconventional in almost every way, but it just works for him. Michael Jordan credits Phil for bringing the Bulls together when they were just on the cusp of greatness. To further that, Jordan trusted Jackson and completely bought into what he was selling, and the rest is history.
They called him “The Zen Master,” “Coach Phil,” and “Action.” No matter the chosen moniker, champion had to be said as well. With his 13 NBA titles, 11 as a coach and two as a player, Jackson’s championship pedigree cannot be ignored. His induction to the Hall of Fame in 2007 was a gimme. Plus he dated the boss’s daughter when he was in Los Angeles, which may be the most impressive thing about his resume.