Bulls and Lakers legend Phil Jackson names the greatest NBA player of all time

Both the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers enjoyed glorious eras under Phil Jackson’s coaching. He led both franchises to countless titles, assembling unforgettable teams that dominated the NBA for years. Drawing on the knowledge from his years of experience, the legendary coach shared his thoughts on who he considers the greatest player of all time.

“That’s the greatest player I ever had, that I could consider the greatest player in the game,” Jackson stated about Michael Jordan in a 2001 interview, making it clear that MJ was the most impressive player he had ever seen, even above his then-player with the Lakers, Kobe Bryant, as well as other past stars.

However, this wasn’t the only time Phil referred to Jordan in such terms. In 2009, prior to the induction of the Chicago Bulls legendary guard into the Basketball Hall of Fame, the coach said: “I don’t think anybody will ever really touch what Michael has done for the game. They may be able to break a record he had or maybe win more championships… But Michael’s image as a player will always stand and his greatness will never be superseded.”

On Jordan’s place in NBA history and sports in general, Jackson was clear. “He was perhaps the most recognizable athlete in the world for a decade,” he stated. “That he brought the game of basketball and the NBA to that level will never be eclipsed.”

Phil Jackson compares Jordan to Kobe

Jackson has the unique distinction of having coached two of the greatest players in NBA history, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. With both, he won multiple NBA championships, giving him the perspective needed to compare their respective strengths.

“One of the biggest differences between the two stars from my perspective was Michael’s superior skills as a leader,” wrote Phil in his 2013 book Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success. “Though at times he could be hard on his teammates, Michael was masterful at controlling the emotional climate of the team with the power of his presence.”

In contrast, Jackson noted about Bryant: “Kobe had a long way to go before he could make that claim. He talked a good game, but he’d yet to experience the cold truth of leadership in his bones, as Michael had in his bones.”

Nonetheless, Jackson has also spoken about the relationship between the two superstars. “I know that Kobe has relied on his conversations with Michael over the years,” he explained. “Michael has been very helpful to him and I know Kobe has a great respect for Michael.”

Jordan’s edge over LeBron James, according to Phil Jackson

One of Phil Jackson’s more recent comments on the GOAT debate came during an interview on the Gimme The Hot Sauce podcast in 2023. There, the legendary coach explained why, in his view, Jordan holds an advantage over LeBron James. “You know, it’s a funny thing, you can’t take anything away from either player. They’re absolutely terrific players,” Jackson began.

“You can only turn to the fact that Michael went to the Finals six times and won six championships. And it’s kind of funny, how many 7-game Finals series did Michael have to go to? He never did, it never happened. We won in six at the most,” Phil added. This marks a significant difference from LeBron, who, despite winning 4 titles, has lost 6 Finals.

“The reality is that the record stands and that’s what happens in careers. The game has changed, and the players have changed. How the game has been played has also changed,” Jackson reflected. “So, you know, take nothing away from either player, it’s still a fact that Michael went to the Finals six times and won six championships.”

Phil Jackson’s remarkable career with the Bulls

Before becoming one of the greatest coaches of all time, Phil Jackson had a successful career as a player. He was a forward for the New York Knicks for eleven years, winning two NBA championships in 1970 and 1973. He later played for the New Jersey Nets, where he finished his career in 1980.

Jackson arrived in Chicago in 1987 as an assistant coach under Doug Collins. However, after two years, he was promoted to head coach, beginning the journey that would elevate him to the pinnacle of the league. With Michael Jordan as the star, supported by players like Scottie Pippen, John Paxson, Horace Grant, and Bill Cartwright, the Bulls won their first three titles between 1991 and 1993.

After Jordan’s brief retirement from basketball between 1993 and 1995, the Bulls rebuilt, keeping Pippen and adding new figures like Dennis Rodman, Steve Kerr, and Toni Kukoc. They went on to achieve another three-peat from 1996 to 1998, which ended with the famous Last Dance.

The Lakers were also successful with Phil Jackson

A year after his time with the Bulls ended, Phil Jackson took on a new challenge: leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a championship after more than a decade without one. He succeeded, securing three consecutive titles from 2000 to 2002 with Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. Without Shaq, the Lakers won two more championships in 2009 and 2010.

With 13 NBA championships, two as a player and eleven as a coach, Phil Jackson cemented his place as one of the greatest legends in league history. He is often mentioned as the greatest coach of all time and has been in the Basketball Hall of Fame since 2007.