The world of the NBA is one where unique talent helps to generate success. While it is the players who take up the mantle on the court to win championships for their teams, one should not forget the other big factor that plays a crucial role in a team?s success: the coaches. When talking about the coaches who have played the biggest roles in leading their teams to success, three names come to mind: Phil Jackson, Pat Riley, and Gregg Popovich. Each of them has left an indelible mark on the game and their respective franchises.

Acting behind the scenes and away from all the television lens and the glamour, the coach provides guidance to their players and makes decisions that could make or break their chances during a pivotal moment. Keeping the above thought in mind, the following article will examine which of the three individuals deserves to be called the ?Greatest Coach in NBA History?.

Phil Jackson: The 11 Rings Holder

Phil Jackson, also known as the ?Zen Master? is a name that?s synonymous in coaching circles. He initially started off his journey in basketball as a player back in 1967, when he was drafted by the New York Knicks. He would then join the New Jersey Nets after 11 years. With not a memorable NBA career as a player to his name, Jackson retired in 1980. Looking to find success by teaching the lessons he learned to others, Jackson joined the Chicago Bulls as a coach in 1987.

Jackson acted as an assistant coach for two years before being promoted to the head position. The late 80s was a pivotal moment for the Bulls, with players like Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen establishing themselves as the greatest forces the NBA had ever seen. Fans wanted to see whether Jackson would be able to guide the Bulls stars efficiently and make them better than they were before. As it turned out, Jackson didn?t disappoint.

Under his guidance, the Bulls managed to make the playoffs all nine years he was there. In order to stand out from the rest of the teams, Jackson made use of Sam Barry?s famed ?Triangle Offense? strategy. It allowed player movement and spacing to be maximized for more efficient gameplay. By making use of the combined mental prowess of both Jackson and Jordan, the Bulls managed to secure six championship titles for themselves. Along with His Airness, Jackson helped to establish the ?golden era? of the Bulls that remains the envy of the world to this day.

Despite expressing his wish to not coach any other team after exiting the Bulls in 1998, Jackson would later go on to coach the Los Angeles Lakers. His time with the team allowed him to coach the talented duo of the late Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. He brought his ?Triangle Offense? strategy to the Lakers as well, which played a pivotal role in helping them secure their name on five championships over a period of 10 years.

Pat Riley: The Architect of the ‘Showtime’ Era

Similar to Phil Jackson, Pat Riley entered the basketball world as a player and stayed for over 9 years. 3 years after calling it quits, he joined the Los Angeles Lakers as an assistant coach in 1979. After the fallout between team star Magic Johnson and then head coach Paul Westhead, the latter was fired and Riley took the top position.

Under his guidance and leadership skills, the Lakers entered the iconic Showtime era, which has come to be known as the best decade for the team. With star players like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar under his wing, the coach was instrumental in bringing forth a defense strategy, known as the 1-3-1 half-court trap, to improve the performance standards of the players. Through his ?No rebounds, No rings? mantra, the coach emphasized the need for rebounds in order to secure a victory.

Riley?s different yet effective methods paid off. In just a decade, the Lakers won four championships and rose to be considered the most dominant team of the 80s. For his efforts, Riely was named the NBA Coach of the Year during the 1989?90 season. He then coached the NEw York Knicks for 5 years before joining the Miami Heat as president of basketball operations, leading them to a championship in 2006 as a head coach.

Gregg Popovich: The ‘Consistent’ Head

Unlike Jackson and Riley, Gregg Popovich was never a part of the NBA as a player. In fact, right after serving five years in the US Air Force, Popovich went on to become a College Basketball Coach. He didn?t make his entry into the NBA until 1988 when he joined the San Antonio Spurs as an assistant coach. By 1994, he was the general manager and vice president of basketball operations for the team. Unimpressed by the Spurs’ performance, he fired then-head coach Bob Hill and named himself to the top position.

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Once he established himself as the head coach, Popovich never went back. He continues to be the longest-tenured active coach in the NBA, having devoted over 30 years to the Spurs. Popovich used his influence to place an emphasis on teamwork and cultivate a system where his players are bound to place the team above individual glory. The X?s and O?s system that he developed himself emphasizes on the usage of pick and rolls, double screens, and, in some cases, quadruple screens in order to set up an efficient shot toward the hoop.

Under his guidance, the team has won five championships, leading the team to 22 straight winning seasons, a league record. For his efforts, Popovich has thrice been named the ?NBA Coach of the Year?. Furthermore, Popovich has the most wins as a head coach in NBA history.

Who reigns supreme?

All three coaches have established themselves as the pinnacle of what a coach should be like. The success they have generated in mentoring young players has shaped the NBA for the better. However, when making an ultimate choice between the three, the author will have to side with Phil Jackson.

Many people may highlight the fact that Jackson was someone who was just at the right place at the right time. Even without his presence, Michael Jordan would have reigned supreme and Kobe Bryant would still have led the Lakers to numerous victories. However, what those people may not understand is that Jackson?s arrival became a turning point for the team overall. He made the great players greater, used his ?Triangle Offense? strategy to create confusion for his opponents, and placed emphasis on defense to better the gameplay style of his respective teams.

Jackson brought something to the coaching methods that had been a rare phenomenon: philosophy. He earned the nickname ?Zen Master? due to his ability to incorporate Eastern Philosophy into his coaching style. This allowed him to not only enforce teamwork but also reportedly helped him to coach players like Michael Jordan and Dennis Rodman, who are allegedly known for their ?high-minded personalities?.

The ultimate method to compare any level of success in the NBA is championship wins. In his 20 seasons as head coach, Jackson?s teams earned a total of 11 rings. Furthermore, his teams were consistent with those wins. While Popovich had certain time gaps between championship wins, Jackson could boast not one but three sets of three-peats. His teams have a win-loss record of 1155-485 and a win percentage of .704, higher than anyone else?s.

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Many people may disagree with the viewpoints presented in the article. However, they cannot deny the fact that under the guidance of Phil Jackson, the Bulls and the Lakers were on top of the world. The legacy and the influence he created continue to inspire generations of players and coaches who wish to reach the same pinnacle as the ?Master of Zen?.

Editorial Disclaimer:?The?views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of EssentiallySports.