Or even if they don't win Sunday but win the series, would you think Phil is still the best coach ever?

Nah, it's always Red.

Nah, it's always Red.

 

Always??? Please explain...

I heard something that made sense the other day. Phil will have coached 4 different teams to Finals victories if these Lakers win.

 

The 90-92 Bulls were a different set than the 96-98 Bulls. The 00-03 Lakers were a different set than these Lakers today. I'll go with that as my argument.

Phil has certainly had the luxury of being able to coach good teams. This years Lakers is probably the most talented team in the league, and they weren't too bad last year either. So I'm not sure if he's the greatest, but hes definitely the most fortunate.

Give me Red all day every day. As said above, Phil is the most fortunate.

I'll take Phil.

I don't really think anyone else but those 2 are even an option really. Riley stole his last championship from SVG, so that barely even counts to me.

Larry Brown. He took the Clippers to the playoffs.

Phil Jackson for me- he has done it in a tougher era, IMO, considering free agency and the number of teams both in the league and in the playoffs each season

 

I also feel Phil desn't get enough credit because he has coached talented teams. I would simply say:

 

1. All coaches that win rings coach talented teams. Red Auerbach coached far more H.O.F.ers than Phil Jackson has. Pat Riley had the Showtime Lakers and D-Wade and Shaq. Great coaches always have great talent. It is about pulling the most out of that great talent, which leads me to point # 2...

 

2. While Phil has coached incredible talent, Doug Collins couldn't beat the Pistons with Jordan and Pippen and Grant and Cartwright while Phil won with that team. Del Harris couldn't win with Shaq and Kobe while Phil won with those guys. This current incarnation of the Lakers is his second go-around with the club; remember what he took over? They became a playoff team in that first year in his second tenure and have been to the last two NBA Finals, completely turning the team around in only 3 seasons (this is his fourth season in the second tenure).

 

JMO

No offense to Red, but he did win a few championships in a 10 team league. Phil's had some excellent players but the same can be said about Red.

It's a tough argument because I always think Jordan/Kobe with Phil. Show me a coach with mulitple championships and you'll find great talent. I don't know how much input coaches have in building teams from a talent standpoint. That could have an effect.

It's kind of like arguing who is the best player in history in different sports. There are arguments for several guys.

It's a tough argument because I always think Jordan/Kobe with Phil. Show me a coach with mulitple championships and you'll find great talent. I don't know how much input coaches have in building teams from a talent standpoint. That could have an effect.

It's kind of like arguing who is the best player in history in different sports. There are arguments for several guys.

 

100% agree!

Jackson with one more title and a better playoff winning percentage.

Take nothing away from Phil and Pat they're great coaches,but IMO Red is the greatest.