If you were to ask the basketball gods to describe the enigma and phenom known as Arnold 'Red' Auerbach, they wouldn't be able to fully describe him. In fact, only the legends that he coached to multiple World Championships could describe him closer. For Phil Jackson, fate and the Sports Gods have a twisted sense of humor.
On Thursday night, for the first time in six years, Jackson has the opportunity that few can say they got: to make and break history. If his Los Angeles Lakers can stun the Boston Celtics, he will not only have gotten the Shaq monkey off his back, but he will have possession of the only championship that has eluded his entire career: Most NBA Championships won by a coach.
During his tenure with the NBA, Jackson has reigned over two dynasties, the most important of the two is obviously the Chicago Bulls. With the help of Shaq and Kobe Bryant, he brought dominance back to the City of Angels by winning three during that era. However, things have changed, but the setting is still the same.
His opportunity at greatness is blocked by the Basketball Ghost of Red Auerbach.
It's no surprise that the cigar smoking, outspoken Auerbach will be more than just a regular spectator during the NBA Finals. He knows what is at stake this time around. Four victories will put Jackson on the mountain that is currently owned by Red. Four victories will put him on the pedestal that he so desperately needs.
Four victories will silence the critics about whether Kobe can do it without his favorite Big Man.
Idiots like Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports might want to start paying attention. He already has decided that Jackson's nine championships in this day and age are far more impressive than Red's nine back in the day. But the problem is that it wasn't always about money or whiny egotistical players back in his day.
As opposed to now, Red's nine titles are more impressive than Jackson's last three. If Jackson is expecting approval from Red, don't hold his breath. Red won't give it to him, even if the Lakers win another championship. The Celtics would like to give Red a better reason to light up that cigar, and if they can stop The Kobe Show, it will happen.
Forget about the fact that people are still comparing Kobe to Michael Jordan, the man mainly responsible for starting Jackson's Dynasty Chase. Forget about the fact that it took the Lakers six years to get back to this moment. Forget about the fact that people are already jumping on the Lakers Bandwagon and donning them this year's World Champions.
Forget the fact that Boston loves playing the Underdogs while you're at it.
While Jackson will be considered one of the greatest coaches of all time, Red will always be considered the greatest basketball mind of all time.
Jackson built his Dynasty Chase with players like Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Steve Kerr, John Paxson, Horace Grant, Bill Cartwright, Shaquille O'Neal, Robert Horry and of course, Kobe Bryant.
Red built his dynasty with three different eras of players including Havlicek, Russell, Cousy, Cowens, and the original Boston Three Party of Bird, McHale and Parish.
Another tasty tidbit for those comparing Phil to Red: After Auerbach's retirement, his replacement, Bill Russell (player/coach) won the '68 Championship. How many of Phil's former pupils can say that? Answer: None.
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