NBA legends Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant had a major beef during their time with the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite their issues, the duo helped the team win three straight titles. Winning helped keep their differences under the radar. However, things flared once again and there were rumors that Bryant was looking for a move to the Clippers. The Lakers had to decide fast and Shaq’s comments about salary helped them make their minds up. The team decided to build the team around a young Kobe and traded O’Neal to the Miami Heat. But legendary head coach Phil Jackson was dispensable too?

Phil Jackson was very close with O’Neal who actually demanded the Lakers to make him the head coach in 1999. The Big Diesel even went to extreme lengths to bring Jackson to the team. The Zen Master immediately worked wonders and helped Shaq, Bryant, and the Lakers to a three-peat from 2000 to ’03.

A former star’s opinion on head coaches in the NBA

Being a head coach in the NBA is one of the most pressurized jobs in the world. Whenever a team fails, a huge portion of the blame falls on the coach’s shoulders, and they are easily fired. Recently, the league saw a lot of coaching changes. Amidst this, former All-Star Gilbert Arenas talked about the impact of coaches during an appearance on Vlad TV.

The host asked Arenas about the importance of coaches and asked what percentage of a team’s performance is because of the coach. The two-time All-Star claimed about 30% of the team’s success or failure is down to the coach. While discussing the role of coaches, Arenas claimed superstars hold more power in the team. He noted that if a superstar does not like a coach, then the coach’s job is at threat.

The host then asked whether Arenas thinks any star could have been the reason for the recent firing of coaches. The 2003 MIP replied that there is a huge chance it could have happened. He insisted things like this happen all the time and talked about Kobe Bryant.

Arenas added, “You know Kobe when Shaq left and he was like, ‘Hey, you can take Phil with you. You can take Phil with you. I don’t need Phil for the s**t I’m trying to do. I don’t need Phil talking about winning when I’m trying to show the world that I am who I am.’ Sometimes players got to go through that mode.”

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He noted that it is tough for coaches to survive in the NBA if they are not also the General Manager of the team.

Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson

Phil Jackson reportedly wanted the Lakers to retain Shaquille O’Neal and part ways with Kobe Bryant at the height of the beef. It is understandable given the coach’s relationship with Shaq and his dominance. However, the front office decided to stick with Bryant and was even ready to oust Phil at one point. However, the legendary head coach and Kobe made amends and were a force to be reckoned with in the years that followed.

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