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Lord of the League: Phil Jackson

PHIL JACKSON
(Mouse over photo to view hidden image)

Phil Jackson

Rarely do great players make great coaches – whether due to genetics, the single-minded pursuit of athletic perfection, or fate; seldom do the two twain become one.  It has, however, been established throughout sports history that smart players often make excellent coaches.  Legendary Lakers’ announcer Chick Hearn once raved on-air about the basketball IQ of former Laker Rick Fox (paraphrase), “Show me a smart player, and I’ll show you a future champion.”   Philip Douglas Jackson has been both, a smart player and a champion, at virtually every level of basketball.

Jackson grew up in humble, if not austere beginnings.  His parents, Charles and Elisabeth Jackson, were Assemblies of God ministers.  Phil’s father would preach on Sunday mornings and his mother on Sunday evenings.  Having such stern parents, Phil, his two brothers, and his half-sister were not allowed to attend movies, go dancing, or to watch television.  Jackson reportedly did not see his first movie until he was a senior in high school, and he did not attend his first dance until college.

Jackson attended high school in Williston, North Dakota where he played varsity basketball, helping lead his team to two state titles.  He also played football and was a pitcher on his school’s baseball team.  Jackson threw the discus to round out his high school athletic pursuits.  Years later, Phil’s older brother Chuck opined the three brothers threw themselves into athletics so diligently because it was the only time they were allowed to do what other kids were doing.

Jackson attracted the attention of several baseball scouts whose reports found their way to the desk of future NBA coach Bill Fitch.  Fitch had previously coached baseball and had been doing some scouting for the Atlanta Braves organization.  As fate would have it, Fitch took over as head basketball coach at North Dakota in the spring of 1962, Jackson’s junior year of high school.  Fitch recruited Jackson to North Dakota where he averaged 19.9 points over three seasons and helped lead the Fighting Sioux to third- and fourth-place finishes in the NCAA Division II tournament in his sophomore and junior seasons (1965 and 1966).  In both years, the team was beaten by Southern Illinois who, coincidentally, starred Jackson’s future Knicks teammate Walt Frazier who was the Salukis’ biggest star.  Unfortunately, Frazier did not play against Jackson due to academic ineligibility.

The Knickerbockers selected the lanky but strong, 6-foot-8, 230 pound Jackson 17th overall with the 5th pick of the second round in the 1967 NBA Draft.  Jackson quickly established himself as a dependable and hard-working journeyman under the tutelage of the eleventh-winningest coach in NBA history, the legendary William “Red” Holzman.

Phil was considered a solid all-around athlete with a long wingspan but limited range of motion offensively.  Gifted with a high IQ, Phil compensated for his athletic limitations using sheer will, intelligence, and savvy, particularly on defense.  Nonetheless, and despite his early promise, Jackson missed the entire 1969-70 season due to spinal fusion surgery.  Perhaps it is here that Jackson’s ability to think the game began to develop, as during his rehabilitation he authored the book “Take It All”, a photo diary of the Knicks’ 1970 Championship.

Once healthy, Phil soon became a fan favorite in a reserve role for the Knicks, leading him to become one of the NBA’s leading substitutes.  He was a also key reserve on the Knicks team that won the NBA title in 1973.  However, soon after capturing that title, several key starters retired, eventually forcing Jackson into a starting role.  Unfortunately, the injury bug ultimately him again and he was traded to the New Jersey Nets in 1978, playing two seasons while serving in the dual capacity of both player and assistant coach.  Phil retired in 1980 but remained with New Jersey as an assistant coach for a season, before becoming a broadcaster for the Nets organization.  The rest, as they say, is history.

1972-73 World Champion New York Knickerbockers. Phil Jackson (#18) back row, second from left.

Summary

G 

FG% 

FT% 

Rebs 

RPG 

Asts 

APG 

Stls 

Blks 

Pts 

PPG 

807 

.453 

.736 

3,454 

4.3 

898 

1.1 

281 

199 

5,428 

6.7 

Full Name: Philip Douglas Jackson
Born: 9/17/45 in Deer Lodge, Montana
College: University of North Dakota
Drafted: New York Knickerbockers, 2nd Round (5th pick, 17th overall), 1967 Draft
Transactions: Signed with New Jersey Nets (1978-80)

Nickname: Phil, Action
Height: 6-8; Weight: 220 lbs.
High School: Williston in Williston, North Dakota
Honors: All Rookie team (1968)

Photos:
http://www.und.nodak.edu/history/notablealumni.html - UND, 1965
Wen Roberts/NBAE/Getty Images -
http://www.nba.com/knicks/history/new_knicks_history.html

References:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jacksph01.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Jackson
http://www.nba.com/knicks/history/new_knicks_history.html#11
http://www.losangeleslakersonline.com/philjackson.php

The League, Lord of the League, LOTL, THE ‘L’ © 2008.

All Rights Reserved.

Posted by meandovine on Friday, January 25th, 2008 at 12:49 am.

19 Responses to “Lord of the League: Phil Jackson”

Can’t leave for the weekend without a holla.

How many current coaches were not former players? VanGundy is about the only one I can think of.

have a good weekend bro.

Left by pumpdude on January 25th, 2008

Thanks for the holla, pump!

NJ’s head coach Lawrence Frank also wasn’t a player.

You have a great weekend too.

Hope to see you Monday.

Peace.

Left by meandovine on January 25th, 2008

MeanDovine

The fact that Jacskon turned out to be a great coach obviously was due to his inherent awareness to the finite details of the game. He paid attention to all of the little intricacies that makes the game something other than just an athletic endeavor. His mindset was that of an intense, methodical individual.

It’s served him well in his post playing career. And the accolades have followed suit.

tophatal …….

Left by tophatal on January 25th, 2008

If anyone would understand the intricacies of Phil’s development, I knew it would be you, top.

Not much I can add to your summation.

Phil’s post-player accomplishments have brought so many valuable lessons learned to my sports writing game.

Thanks for falling through on this Friday afternoon.

Left by meandovine on January 25th, 2008

Everyone has a Phil Jackson-type guy on their team. Nice to see a different player than the normal studs you write about bro. Have a great weekend.

Left by thedan on January 25th, 2008

we’ll find our way, td. thanks for rolling with a bruthua.

Enjoy!

p.s. sounds like phil actually had a little game.

Left by meandovine on January 25th, 2008

For sure he had game. Those role players always do. Dang Mean, Avery Johnson comes to mind – and you did a fine piece on him I might add.

Good morning bro.

Left by thedan on January 26th, 2008

And a fine good morning to you too, bro.

Gotta love the unsung players. Seldom are their praises sung, yet without them, what would we have …

Thanks for the appreciation of Avery’s piece. I really enjoyed putting it together.

See ya soon!

Left by meandovine on January 26th, 2008

Good post. I think role players like Phil make the best coaches. The NBA superstars don’t seem to make great coaches. It’s probably because they don’t have the patience to develop players. Their expectaions are probably a little too lofty. Just my opinion.

Left by L.A.D.I. on January 28th, 2008

Thanks for chiming in, L.A.D.I.

Really can’t argue with anything you say. Plus, history happens to bear you out.

Great to see you this morning. Also good to hear from folks who are familiar with PJ’s career.

Hope to hear from ya again soon.

Left by meandovine on January 28th, 2008

Think I saw you at Fox blogging there, did I not? This is a GREAT blog. I’m not a big NBA fan, although I reside in Memphis and we have the Grizzlies. Not much to say regarding the Grizzlies.

I read an interesting article years ago about Phil Jackson. I can’t recall all the details, but what I do remember is that he was sitting in the back seat of a VW Beetle and opened the front door without moving forward an inch. Apparently the people watching this were either recruiting him for college or were thinking about drafting him. Pretty long wingspan was most impressive and got him in a Knicks uni.

Really great blog dude.

Left by MoonDog on January 31st, 2008

Hey MoonDog,

Welcome to THE LEAGUE. And thanks for the props! It’s a pleasure to make the acquaintance of another Fox Sports Blogger.

Hey, the NBA aint for everybody, but it’s a great sport. Nevertheless, I’ll be covering other professional sports leagues as well, just gotta pace myself by doing it one league at a time, at least until I’m better equipped to hammer out more consistent copy.

Interestingly, my wife often remarks about Phil’s wingspan in the context of the VW incident. Quite a story. She also references Scottie Pippen’s wingspan in much the same way. Both guys have some extremely long arms.

Again, thanks for giving Ol’ MeanD a holler. I’ll be sure to toot your horn every now and again too.

Peace.

Left by meandovine on January 31st, 2008

Phil Jackson is the MAN!
Of course something has to be said for the players he has coached over the years but those player needed a leader and someone to help them perfect their skills…PHIL JACKSON WAS AND HAS BEEN THE MAN!

Left by LaLark on January 31st, 2008

LaLark!

What’s crackalackin?

Yeah, PJ got it done. Dude was/is all game, all the time. Anybody who questions his ish is delusional.

So, what is an LaLark? Male? Female?

What’s your story?

Hit a playa back …

Holla!

Left by meandovine on January 31st, 2008

I’ve always said the same thing about great players becoming great coaches. I think it’s because the great players expect their players to have the same drive, attention to detail, etc. that they had. Just doesn’t work out that way, usually. It’s so often the fringe players (Jackson, Pat Riley, K.C. Jones, etc.) that become the great ones.

I followed Jackson with the Knicks and later with the Nets because he was from North Dakota and played high school ball against my oldest brother. I don’t remember it, but my parents did. People used to come from miles around to watch Williston play Rugby, my home town, because Rugby had a guy name Paul Presthus, who was becoming a local legend. In fact, Presthus went to Minnesota, prompting Jackson to attend UND, saying in his book “Maverick” that he didn’t care to go against Presthus for playing time. Funny how things work out, isn’t it? In fact, my mom still roots for Jackson and watches the Lakers every chance she gets. Of course, that’s a little hard for me to swallow, but I have to cut her some slack.

Left by Rick O on February 9th, 2008

Dude, you ‘ve got some great memories.

This Jackson stuff is great!

Left by meandovine on February 10th, 2008

Mean,

Can you put these players on your list to do next?

Globe Trotters {Meadow Lark Lemon, Cury Joe Neal, Marques Haines}

They played serious ball before the clowning came along. An article would be cool on this subject.

Roger Brown {Connie Hawkins Mel Daniels type Story} great player that missed the boat.

Wilt Chamberlin {The greatest}
Bill Russell
John Hondo Havlicek
Alvan Hayes
Nate Archabalt
Artis Gilmore
George Gervin
James Worthy
Walter Davis
Paul Wesphal

I think these guys fill in your past well! You might want to creat a section on your site to devide current players and past? Hall of fame area? That would be cool?

Tom
ea7777

Left by Tom on March 8th, 2008

Paul Presthus was a 6-5 center who overcame childhood rheumatic fever to become one of the greatest high school athletes in North Dakota sports history. During his and Jackson’s junior year, Rugby went 3-0 against Williston, including the state Class A championship in 1962. The following year, Rugby again prevailed 2-0 over Williston during the regular season, but was eliminated in the state tourney by Grand Forks Red River, leaving the road wide open for Jackson and the Coyotes to win the 1963 Class A crown. Jackson and Presthus met once more, as college freshmen, and Presthus and the UM prevailed over Jackson and UND. I was at the game and saw Presthus block one of Jackson’s shots. Presthus was the only one of his UM class to be kept on the varsity and would captain the Gophers his senior year.

Left by Einar on May 19th, 2009

Einar, wow. That is a welcomed comment. As you may have noticed, my older brother played against Phil J in high school, and Presthus was the talk for miles around at the time. Just goes to show you that the best players don’t always make it.

I’d like to say something much more profound, but right now I’m just reveling in the fact that someone actually saw them play. I’ve heard the stories countless times, but always good to hear another one from someone I haven’t met.

Thanks a million for stopping by.

Left by Rick O on May 21st, 2009

Something to say?