| Phil Jackson
Jackson just passed Pat Riley for most career playoff wins. Andrew D. Bernstein/
NBAE/Getty Images
|
By Marty Burns, Sports Illustrated
Never mind the Zen stuff, Phil Jackson’s record speaks for itself. A perfect 9-0 mark in the Finals. The best winning percentage of all time, regular season and playoffs. What more does the man have to do?
Sure, he’s been fortunate to have Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant with the Lakers and, before that, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen in Chicago. But
what did those players win before he got there? Shaq and Kobe got swept by the Spurs the year before the Zen Master arrived.
Jackson knows how to mesh superstar egos and get all 12 players on the same page. He’s also a sound basketball mind who preaches defense and teamwork, the cornerstones of any championship team. As a former player, he knows how to keep his guys in shape so they’re at peak condition for the playoffs.
After Jordan’s first retirement, Jackson guided the Bulls to a 55-27 record in 1993-94. His starting shooting guard was Pete Myers. Sorry, Red, but the Zen Master can flat out coach.
| Red Auerbach
Auerbach created a dynasty that will never be equaled. Dick Raphael/
NBAE/Getty Images
|
By Jennifer Cooper, CNNSI.com
There are 16 banners hanging from the rafters in Boston. Wonder how they got there? Ask Red Auerbach.
The namesake for the NBA Coach of the Year award, Auerbach guided the
Celtics to nine titles -- eight in a row -- during their run of 11 in 13
years, and as president/GM, he built a franchise that went on to win five more through 1986.
In fact, that's the key difference between Red and Phil. In addition to his coaching acumen, Red also has a keen eye for basketball talent. He drafted Larry Bird after Bird's junior year while five other teams passed on him. Then he swiped Robert Parish and a No. 3 pick (which turned out to be Kevin McHale) from Golden State and put together what many believe is the greatest front line ever assembled.
But the two legends do have their similarities. Like Jackson, Red has rubbed a lot of people the wrong way with his arrogance, including his customary lighting of the victory cigar, but Auerbach is the genuine article. What you see is what you get, even if you don't care for the smoke he's blowing.
|
