Los Angeles Lakers' Phil Jackson: The Real Reasons Why He Is the NBA's Greatest Coach

By Pat Mixon

 The Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson has been labeled "the Zen Master" for years because of his approach to the game, his quirky mannerisms and the things he talks about.

But, his unique style has separated him from all other NBA legends. This all started back in the 1990's when Jackson was head coach of the Chicago Bulls. He honed his approach to the game coaching the great Michael Jordan to six NBA titles, including two three-peats and setting the record for regular season wins in 1995.

There are key elements to Jackson's style that are a real difference from other NBA coaches. Coincidence or not, Jackson holds the most rings coaching, at eleven and the twelve-pack possibly looms next June for his Lakers.

What are the elements of Jackson's style?

Let's look at the keys for Jackson to prepare and allow the Lakers to hoist another NBA trophy.

MEDITATE

Jackson has the Lakers meditate before each game. Sounds silly? Try powerful. Like everything with Jackson, there is a purpose. And, this isn't something new to Jackson and his coaching style. He had Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls do the exact same thing.

Basically, meditation involves quieting the mind, finding a state of relaxation among the chaos both internal and external. Jackson's track record proves this must have merit. He wants his players calm, especially before the biggest game of their careers.

PREPARE

Jackson is a basketball junkie. He's lived the game for over forty years. He's done it all, worked his way up from the nether regions of the sport to the pinnacle. He's done it all his way. But, when it comes down to it, he's a really a tactician.

He prepares his Lakers as hard as any other Coach. It's amazing he's only won Coach of the Year only once. Only one!! We sure root for the underdog and not reward excellence.

That is another mind-numbing stat. In a series that is predicated on adjustments, Jackson usually gets the upper hand. He'll always add a new wrinkle, call a play for someone like Ron Artest or change up his defensive assignments.

EXECUTE

Jackson preaches execution like a southern minister preaching hell and fire. He is adamant about precision and flow. His triangle offense requires this level of detail. And, it shows.

In wins, chances are the Lakers offense hummed like a vintage muscle car. In losses, the first area any fan can point to for the failure was offensive execution.

DEFEND

Everyone focuses on the great players Jackson has coached, or his classic triangle offense. But, he's a defensive powerhouse. Jordan's Bulls won titles because they could defend. The Shaq/Kobe Lakers stopped people. This current iteration of the Lakers is at the top of the defense rankings in the league.

POISE

Maybe this is tied to the whole meditation thing but Jackson predicates his coaching style on poise. That's why you won't see him call a tremendous amount of timeouts, at least in the regular season. He likes to say that he wants his players to work out their problems on their own.

This does teach poise, as the Lakers don't get rattled, even on massive runs by the other team. Jackson will sit there and watch the action. Rarely will he stem the tide by calling a timeout. It is a unique style and many a Lakers fan can be heard screaming at their TV for a T, but Jackson has the victories to back this up.

SUCCESS

It all comes down to this. Jackson has coached in 13 NBA Finals.That's even hard to write. He's got eleven rings. Everyone wants to ding him for having great players and that is true.

But, remember, Jordan won nothing until Jackson. Shaq and Kobe couldn't even get out of the Western Conference playoffs. And, Kobe experienced his only losing season as a player without his Zen Master.

Everyone wants to say the Lakers winning or losing comes down to what Kobe does. And, it is true, in most aspects. But when games count, so does coaching.

Jackson has the edge over all other NBA coaches. Call him what you want but I'll call him what he is: the NBA's greatest coach.

The media loves to position him as a Zen Master and it is fun to play around with. But Jackson is more drawn to Native American ways. So, he's the really Lakers' Shaman, their Medicine Man, getting them ready for the reign dance. Meditate on that.

Want to learn more about Kobe Bryant's gladiator mentality? Check out my new book, The Kobe Code: Eight Principles for Success-- An Insider's Look into Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant's Warrior Life & the Code He Lives By. Visit http://www.PatMixon.com for more info, to sample or to buy.

Pat Mixon is a sportswriter and author. His latest book is called The Kobe Code- Eight Principles for Success: The Unauthorized Biography: An Insider's Look into NBA Player and Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant's Warrior Life. You can find this book at SimpleIndie.com, Amazon.com, Smashwords.com and most other online book retailers. The book is also available in Print. See his website below for more info.

Pat is also a Featured Columnist for one of the largest sports websites in the U.S., The Bleacher Report.com. His articles are also read on Bleacher Report partners such as LA Times, CBS Sports.com, and USA Today, to just name a few.

Pat's an avid basketball fan, having both played and followed the sport for nearly 20 years. He loves all things basketball, including college and the NBA but his real love and passion are the Los Angeles Lakers, having been a fan of the Purple and Gold since his youth.

When Pat isn't watching, playing or writing about basketball, he is hard at work on his first fiction novel, a sports thriller. Pat lives in California with his wife.

Visit Pat's website at http://www.PatMixon.com.

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