*ESPN FIRST TAKE: Pop is the BEST COACH of all time?

[Mel_13]

so there was no ceremony prior to a playoff game?

Not really a ceremony. More like an acknowledgement of the award before Game 2 of the Dallas series. I can't recall much about it, just that Pop got a big ovation from the crowd. Too bad the Spurs lost by 20 that night.

The video is probably posted here on ST. Go back and find the thread announcing his selection and the thread for Game 2 of the Dallas series. Good chance that you'll find it in one of those.

[Malik Hairston]

Phil Jackson's style of coaching would no longer be effective in today's league, tbh..

He's a motivational speaker that babysits drama queen divas like Dad Killer, Kobe, Pippen and Shaq..he's never been known as an X's and O's guy, and he has never won a series where his team wasn't expected to win..he benefited greatly from coaching in eras that were focused on ISO basketball and minimal scheming..

It was funny seeing how helpless he looked against Carlisle's new-age style in 2011 with an equally talented team that was favored to win the series, tbh..it was the same against Adelman's Sacramento ball-movement in 2002, where the Lakers were severely outplayed by system basketball..


Pop has completely changed his style and scheme, he has adapted, which is extremely rare among pro sports coaches..he has brought an innovative system to the league, something that has never been seen before at the pro level, and should have had 2 consecutive les with a group of players that didn't feature anybody that was even close to being the best in the league(the 2014 Spurs didn't even have a top 10 player, tbh)..

[pjjrfan]

Pop is a great communicator. I think his strength has always been his ability to let guys know where they stand, what he expects from them and what he wants when they are practicing, on the court and during the offseason. And regardless of what Pop's feeling are about any player he lets you know what your doing right and what your doing wrong. In a league where stars and talent dictate way too much as to what happens on teams Pop has created a haven for team first and last basketball. That in itself is special.

[ajh18]

Consider the following:

One kid grows up in a wealthy family, is given easy access to the top schools, and goes on to found a multimillion dollar company.

Another kid comes from a lower/middle-class background, pays his way through school, and starts a million dollar company out of his garage.

Now who's a better/smarter entrepreneur? That's analogous to the argument you're making between Phil and Pop. Both are incredibly successful. Both navigated their environment to achieve success, but did so in a totally different way. One wanted and was naturally able to place themselves in more advantageous positions, and saw more total success as a result. That shouldn't take away from them, lots of rich kids lose their money and make nothing of themselves. But is that more impressive than the guy who creates something out of less?

All I know is, as a human being, I take Pop every single time. And that counts for something.

[Malik Hairston]

It'll be interesting to see how the Knicks play with Jackson in the front office and his disciple at coach..I fully expect that it will be antiquated ISO-ball, tbh(no different than Mike Woodson)..

[Pako]

Consider the following:

One kid grows up in a wealthy family, is given easy access to the top schools, and goes on to found a multimillion dollar company.

Another kid comes from a lower/middle-class background, pays his way through school, and starts a million dollar company out of his garage.

Now who's a better/smarter entrepreneur? That's analogous to the argument you're making between Phil and Pop. Both are incredibly successful. Both navigated their environment to achieve success, but did so in a totally different way. One wanted and was naturally able to place themselves in more advantageous positions, and saw more total success as a result. That shouldn't take away from them, lots of rich kids lose their money and make nothing of themselves. But is that more impressive than the guy who creates something out of less?

All I know is, as a human being, I take Pop every single time. And that counts for something.

Good take..

[therealtruth]

Phil Jackson's style of coaching would no longer be effective in today's league, tbh..

He's a motivational speaker that babysits drama queen divas like Dad Killer, Kobe, Pippen and Shaq..he's never been known as an X's and O's guy, and he has never won a series where his team wasn't expected to win..he benefited greatly from coaching in eras that were focused on ISO basketball and minimal scheming..

It was funny seeing how helpless he looked against Carlisle's new-age style in 2011 with an equally talented team that was favored to win the series, tbh..it was the same against Adelman's Sacramento ball-movement in 2002, where the Lakers were severely outplayed by system basketball..


Pop has completely changed his style and scheme, he has adapted, which is extremely rare among pro sports coaches..he has brought an innovative system to the league, something that has never been seen before at the pro level, and should have had 2 consecutive les with a group of players that didn't feature anybody that was even close to being the best in the league(the 2014 Spurs didn't even have a top 10 player, tbh)..

And how many series has Pop lost where he was expected to win? If anything I think it's harder to meet expectations. Look at the Heat. They're only 2/4. Lebron is 2/5. Having great players doesn't guarantee you anything.

[Malik Hairston]

And how many series has Pop lost where he was expected to win? If anything I think it's harder to meet expectations. Look at the Heat. They're only 2/4. Lebron is 2/5. Having great players doesn't guarantee you anything.

Phil Jackson is a good coach, but he's nothing special..just like Pop was a good coach in the 2000s, but nowhere near what he has evolved into the past few years..

The majority of NBA coaches are terrible and have minimal positive effects on teams, as Bill Simmons said in his book..

A good coach like Jackson stands out among his peers in the pre-analytical era, where the majority of coaches didn't have systems or schemes..there has never been anything that Phil Jackson has done that really impresses me, tbh..a good coach, but not innovative or unique, in any way..

Pop just won a le without a star player on the roster and broke several long beliefs among NBA people(need stars to win, can't utilize your bench in the playoffs, can't win with over the hill ex-stars, etc)..he should have won 2 les in a row without a superstar player, too..

These Spurs were easily the most unique championship team of all-time, along with being one of the most dominant playoff teams in history, despite not having a single star player..best coaching job of all-time, from a coach that evolved and adapted from his previous style, which is something you never see in pro coaches..

[therealtruth]

Phil Jackson is a good coach, but he's nothing special..just like Pop was a good coach in the 2000s, but nowhere near what he has evolved into the past few years..

The majority of NBA coaches are terrible and have minimal positive effects on teams, as Bill Simmons said in his book..

A good coach like Jackson stands out among his peers in the pre-analytical era, where the majority of coaches didn't have systems or schemes..there has never been anything that Phil Jackson has done that really impresses me, tbh..a good coach, but not innovative or unique, in any way..

Pop just won a le without a star player on the roster and broke several long beliefs among NBA people(need stars to win, can't utilize your bench in the playoffs, can't win with over the hill ex-stars, etc)..he should have won 2 les in a row without a superstar player, too..

These Spurs were easily the most unique championship team of all-time, along with being one of the most dominant playoff teams in history, despite not having a single star player..best coaching job of all-time, from a coach that evolved and adapted from his previous style, which is something you never see in pro coaches..

Most coaches would never have gotten the opportunity Pop has to evolve.

[FkLA]

Consider the following:

One kid grows up in a wealthy family, is given easy access to the top schools, and goes on to found a multimillion dollar company.

Another kid comes from a lower/middle-class background, pays his way through school, and starts a million dollar company out of his garage.

Now who's a better/smarter entrepreneur? That's analogous to the argument you're making between Phil and Pop. Both are incredibly successful. Both navigated their environment to achieve success, but did so in a totally different way. One wanted and was naturally able to place themselves in more advantageous positions, and saw more total success as a result. That shouldn't take away from them, lots of rich kids lose their money and make nothing of themselves. But is that more impressive than the guy who creates something out of less?

All I know is, as a human being, I take Pop every single time. And that counts for something.

Not a bad comparison but I think you also need to take into account the product both are churning out to make their fortune.

Pop has half the league trying to take Spurs staff and/or emulate the Spurs culture. OTOH where is Phil's coaching tree? Who can realistically emulate the style he has won with other than a select few(big markets) who can attract multiple stars at once? Phil is the rich dude that fronts a lot of money for a good chance at making a fortune--something the average Joe could never attempt. Pop is the dude that was an average Joe and who's innovation led to success. Personally I have more admiration for the latter tbh.

[FkLA]

DMC is killing it in this thread