Phil Jackson

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Lore & Background

Jackson's tenure began after he was promoted to head coach in 1989, replacing Doug Collins. He quickly met Tex Winter and adopted his triangle offense, which became central to the team's strategy. A pivotal turning point occurred after losing to the Detroit Pistons in the 1990 conference finals; Jackson convinced Michael Jordan to fully embrace the triangle to counter the Pistons' 'Jordan Rules.' This shift led to a sweep of the Pistons in the 1991 conference finals and the first of three consecutive titles against the Los Angeles Lakers. The second championship run followed a brief hiatus after Jordan's retirement, culminating in a historic 72–10 regular season in 1995–96. This squad, featuring Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman, swept the Orlando Magic to win their fourth title. The dynasty concluded with victories over the Utah Jazz in 1997 and 1998, despite an aging roster plagued by injuries to starters like Pippen and Steve Kerr.

In Their Own Story

The 1997–98 season tested Jackson's leadership as the Bulls faced internal friction and a physically demanding playoff run. In the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers, led by first-year head coach Larry Bird, the series stretched to seven games before Chicago advanced. Tensions also existed between Jackson and general manager Jerry Krause, who felt under-recognized for building the championship roster. Negotiations in the summer of 1997 were contentious, with Michael Jordan intervening to state he would not play for any other head coach if Jackson left. Despite these conflicts, the team secured their sixth title by defeating the Utah Jazz in the finals. The season ended with a quiet departure; after the final buzzer, Jackson packed his bags slowly, leaving the franchise before the magic could fade, marking the end of an era defined by two three-peats.

Reader's Guide

To understand the Bulls' success under Jackson, one must look at his integration of the triangle offense and his unique management of player psychology. He demanded collective responsibility, forcing stars to trust the system rather than relying solely on individual heroics. This approach was evident in 1991 when the team finally overcame their Pistons nemesis by adopting Winter's strategy. The culture Jackson built included unconventional practices like allowing players to read books on the bus and applying Native American spiritual rituals documented in his book 'Sacred Hoops.' His ability to manage egos, particularly Jordan's, was crucial. Even as the roster aged in 1998, his system allowed them to navigate a grueling playoff path against tough opponents like the Pacers and Jazz. The legacy of this era rests on six titles achieved through two distinct three-peat runs, establishing a standard of excellence that remains unmatched in franchise history.

Did You Know?

• Jackson won six championships with the Bulls, achieving two separate three-peat runs (1991–1993 and 1996–1998).
• He convinced Michael Jordan to adopt the triangle offense after a 1990 loss to the Pistons, leading to a sweep of Detroit in the 1991 conference finals.
• The 1995–96 Bulls set a regular season record of 72–10 before winning their fourth title.
• Jackson faced Pat Riley's New York Knicks in the playoffs for four consecutive times from 1991 to 1994, with the Knicks finally defeating them in seven games in 1994.
• Tensions grew between Jackson and GM Jerry Krause, leading to a contentious contract negotiation in 1997 where Jordan insisted he would only play for Jackson.