Is Phil Jackson overrated as a coach?

[DarrinS]

I know the guy has a gazillion rings, but never without the likes of Jordan/Pippen or Shaq/Kobe.


Some of the lineups he's using in this series are beyond bizarre.



Could he have led a team like the 95 Rockets or the 2004 Pistons to a le? You have to wonder.

[JamStone]

The difference in talent between the Suns and the Lakers is painfully obvious. The fact that Phil Jackson got that Laker team to the playoffs is actually somewhat impressive considering their talent and the fact that their five normal starters missed a combined 99 games in the regular season. I think this year was one of his better coaching seasons. The Lakers are completely outmatched in terms of talent against the Suns.

[SRJ]

I don't know where I come out on Phil as coach. He's a great coach, but I look at seasons like 2007 and think, "Maybe he's not so great".

Yes, he's had all-timers on his teams, but he's cashed 'em in nine times. That counts for something.

As far as the 1995 Rockets championship, I don't put much stock in Rudy's coaching. That team, from Hakeem on down, caught lightning in a bottle. No coach can get that out of a team - it was just kind of fluky, really.

[TheNextGen]

He's a great coach with a crappy ass team.

[nkdlunch]

he don't give a no more

[LakeShow]

No doubt he is a Great coach. He has bad players with bad at udes right now. It does seem as if he's losing his ability to communicate with players. I don't think I've ever seen players disrespect him like they have this season.

As far as calling him overrated because of this team and having Jordan\Shaq. Those players didn't win until Phil coached their teams.

[LakeShow]

P.S, maybe he loss respect from players after the tell all book? Just a thought

[Slomo]

P.S, maybe he loss respect from players after the tell all book? Just a thought

I was just about to post that.

I'm sure it's in the back of everybody's mind, that he opted for the $$$ and sold out his (former) players - that book lost him a lot of cred in the NBA.

[LakeShow]

I was just about to post that.

I'm sure it's in the back of everybody's mind, that he opted for the $$$ and sold out his (former) players - that book lost him a lot of cred in the NBA.

It did, and justifiably so. I know I would be concerned playing for someone who may publish what i might do or say behind closed doors.

[kobe_bryant]

yes