“Too Stubborn”: How Issues with Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal Led Phil Jackson to Therapy

Regarded as one of the best coaches in NBA history, Phil Jackson won five rings in 11 years with the Los Angeles Lakers. But despite that, it was a very bumpy ride for Jackson. He had a tough time while working with the likes of Hall of Famers Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal.

In a 2016 interview with Graham Bensinger, Kobe revealed how Jackson had trouble while dealing with the big egos of the locker room. He said that the dynamics between Shaq and him, Shaq being closer to Jackson, and ultimately the three of them being too stubborn, made it difficult for Jackson during his time with the LakeShow.

He further spoke about how Jackson always avoided confrontation, and thus, it was difficult for him to reach out to him. In his book ‘The Last Season: A Team in Search of Its Soul’, Jackson mentions how he consulted a therapist regarding this, who offered breathing solutions. “[A] vital part of the meditation process. Exhaling allows a person to let go and accept the next, new impulse of life.”

Kobe Bryant shed light on how they worked with these problems for future success

After announcing that he wouldn’t return if Kobe was still there, Jackson left Los Angeles in 2004. But he was rehired after a one-season break, as coach Rudy Tomjanovich left due to cancer. When asked how they worked again and won championships, Kobe had revealed, “You don’t carry baggage with you. Once he decided to come back he called me, we didn’t have to address any previous issues. We both had the same belief.”

This elite winning mentality is what drove this relationship. In his second tenure with the Lakers, they reached the NBA Finals, only to lose to arch-rivals Boston in 6 games. But they were a determined lot who went on to win back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010. This gave Jackson his 10th and 11th rings, as he surpassed Red Auerbach for most championships as a head coach. Kobe Bryant was instrumental in both of these title charges, winning Finals MVP during both of these victories.