Years of discipline and dedication shaped Phil Jackson into one of the greatest basketball minds in history. Known for his commanding aura, the legendary coach led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships and the Los Angeles Lakers to five, cementing his place among the top 10 coaches in NBA history. His impressive stature and presence were hallmarks of his persona, though today, the 11-time NBA champion often moves with the support of a cane—a testament to the toll a lifetime in sports has taken on his body.

Because of these complications, he decided to step aside from coaching in 2011. Unfortunately, the year did not end in the way Jackson might have wanted it to. That year, the Lakers aimed for a three-peat led by Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. But Jackson didn’t make his last year one to remember because of complications that arose in the middle of the season. Jim Buss (the Lakers’ executive vice president of basketball operations) started firing Jackson’s staff in the middle of the Playoffs because he knew that the 11-time champion wasn’t returning.

“That was probably my hardest year of coaching and I was ready to retire. I’m dealing with a situation of a cancer operation at the end of the season. It was a fumble at the end and it led to an uneasy feeling for the team,” Jackson had later said. These two factors eventually led the Lakers to lose to the Dallas Mavericks, who swept them and their championship hopes out of the Playoffs.

Now, at 77 years old, Jackson’s health reflects the rigorous demands of his playing and coaching career. His battle with injuries began early, during his playing days with the New York Knicks. A major setback came during the 1969–70 championship season, which he missed due to spinal fusion surgery. Over the years, he endured numerous surgeries, including replacements for one knee and both hips. His back issues, however, have been the most challenging.

“I was in my second year as a player I herniated a disc L45S1 and I had to have a fusion I sat out for a year and have a fused lower back so that’s one of the reasons I probably sit like this. And as a result, I have atrophied nerve damage in the calf of my right leg here in the Soleus muscle which controls your toe your big toe and so there’s a lot of things that emanated out of that,” Jackson shared in a conversation with entrepreneur JT Foxx.

Jackson has often joked about being a walking metal detector alarm due to his many surgeries. Yet, his injuries never dampened his passion for basketball. Even while coaching, he pushed through physical challenges to lead his teams to greatness. After guiding the Lakers to a three-peat in the early 2000s, he returned to coach them to back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010.

However, by the 2011 playoffs, Jackson faced another battle—this time, with prostate cancer. Diagnosed in March 2011, he kept the news private for months. It wasn’t until the Lakers’ postseason run that he shared his diagnosis with the team.

Jackson played for 12 years in the NBA. Later, his coaching career saw him work with Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, and Shaquille O’Neal. There have been several conversations about MJ and Kobe. So, let’s see what Jackson thinks about the two.

Who did Phil Jackson choose between Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant?

During the event, Jackson shared his thoughts on three basketball legends he had the privilege of coaching: Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O’Neal. When asked a hypothetical question about whom he would choose to build an NBA team around, Jackson chose Jordan. “Michael Jordan has got to be the first pick. He was extremely coachable,” Jackson said.

Jackson’s decision likely stems from the unique qualities that defined the Chicago Bulls legend, such as his unmatched competitiveness, relentless work ethic, and leadership on and off the court. While Bryant shared a similar work ethic and intensity, and Shaquille O’Neal brought a dominant physical presence to the game, neither player made Jackson’s hypothetical roster.

‘The Big Aristotle’ had a playing style and work ethic that set him apart from Jordan and Bryant. Meanwhile, Bryant shared notable similarities with Jordan, including their shared intensity and meticulous preparation. Interestingly, Jordan himself referred his trainer, Tim Grover, to Bryant, strengthening the connection between the two.

Having coached all three to championships, Jackson is one of the few people who truly understands the nuances of their skill sets and what made them great. His choice of Jordan reflects the qualities he valued most in a player: coachability, competitiveness, and the ability to elevate a team to greatness. Where do you rank Phil Jackson in the list of the greatest NBA coaches of all time? Tell us in the comment section below!