Phil Jackson: Power Ranking His Best NBA Championship Teams
This season, the Los Angeles Lakers look to three-peat. This would mark the 12th time in his historic career that Phil Jackson led his team to the Larry O’Brien Trophy. While he’s on that quest, it’s a good time to take a look back at Jackson’s memorable championship teams. And for argument's sake, we’ll rank them.
Factoring in the road to get there and the level of talent these teams had, these are the best of the Phil Jackson title teams. If you don’t agree, make a case and if you convince me, I’ll change it.
11. 2009-10 Los Angeles Lakers
1 of 11
Record: 57-25
It’s not an insult to be No. 11 on the list because it did bring Bryant his fifth ring, but this was one of the least impressive Phil Jackson championship teams. Part of that had to do with the fact that it was their third consecutive NBA Finals appearance and they looked worn out. The Celtics took them to the brink, and had Kendrick Perkins not gotten injured during the Finals, the Celtics might have pulled that out.
This makes you wonder how they'll be able to get back to the Finals this season.
10. 1997-98 Chicago Bulls
2 of 11
Record: 62-20
You could rank this Bulls team higher for the sheer will they had to win, but this team wasn’t quite dominant. Just take a look at their series against Utah. Michael Jordan and company emptied the tank to beat Utah. Pippen battled back injuries and Jordan struggled through his last game in a Bulls uniform.
They were a great dynasty in a memorable Finals, but not the strongest team on the list.
9. 2001-02 Los Angeles Lakers
3 of 11
Record: 58-24
This team was a typical three-peat team. They labored through the regular season just trying to get to the playoffs. Shaq and Kobe were starting to realize the team wasn’t big enough for the two of them. They were a team filled with veterans and championship experience, but it took a weak Eastern Conference to give them their third strap.
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8. 1996-97 Chicago Bulls
4 of 11
Record: 69-13
You could make the argument that this team was as good, if not better, than the Bulls championship team of the season before. Jordan had a full year back and was in full basketball shape. He also gave his signature Finals performance when he played the Flu Game.
It’s hard to know how they’d match up against Phil’s other teams. The only thing putting them down this low is their age.
Still, it didn’t seem to bother them, as Pippen and Jordan were winning their fifth title.
7. 2008-09 Los Angeles Lakers
5 of 11
Record: 65-17
You could debate that this season should have been lower, but 65 wins is a lot in a strong Western Conference. Kobe, Gasol and Fisher led a talented team against an Orlando squad that just wasn’t ready for the moment. Pau Gasol proved to be the perfect complement for the triangle offense and Bryant seemed to be on a mission.
6. 1992-93 Chicago Bulls
6 of 11
Record: 57-25
This season Jordan averaged 32-6-5. Pippen was at 18-7-6. During the playoffs, Jordan upped his average to a gross 35 points per game. What makes this team one of Jackson’s better was that you had Jordan, Pippen and Grant, all during their primes. It was a tough defensive team and one that wasn’t afraid of the big game.
5. 2000-01 Los Angeles Lakers
7 of 11
Record: 56-26
Their repeat season was scary. Kobe and Shaq were both All-Defensive and All-NBA team selections. They both averaged 28 points a game. The team was surrounded by veteran leadership like Ron Harper, Horace Grant and Robert Horry. They took on a very overmatched 76ers team in the NBA Finals. Beyond the blip that was the first game, the Lakers had no trouble dismissing Philly.
4. 1990-91 Chicago Bulls
8 of 11
Record: 61-21
The first of Jordan’s six rings. The three-headed monster of Jordan, Pippen and Horace Grant proved to be too much for the rest of the league. Jordan had a year in which he won the MVP and led in four different offensive categories.
3. 1999-2000 Los Angeles Lakers
9 of 11
Record: 67-15
This team was a perfect storm of players. It was Shaq and Kobe in their prime. Shaq was averaging 29-13 en route to the NBA MVP award. Kobe averaged 22 points and made the NBA All-Defensive Team.
In typical Jackson fashion, the Pacers stretched the series to six games, but Shaq and Kobe were too much for them in the end.
2. 1995-96 Chicago Bulls
10 of 11
Record: 72-10
This was maybe the most driven of any of Phil Jackson’s teams. Jordan was fresh out of retirement and crazed to win. Pippen had taken a step forward and was a better player for having led the team during Jordan’s retirement. They had added Rodman, who gave them 14 boards a game.
Jordan was MVP, first team All-NBA and first team All-Defensive. Pippen was first team All-NBA and All-Defensive. Kukoc won the Sixth Man of the Year and Jackson was Coach of the Year.
This team had the Finals sewn up well before they even got started.
1. 1991-92 Chicago Bulls
11 of 11
Record: 67-15
The very best of the Bulls teams. There might be a lot of people who think that the 1995-96 team was the best because of their recording-breaking win total, but this team featured a Jordan in his prime.
Jordan 30-6-6. Scottie 21-7-7. Jordan was first team All-Defense. Scottie was emerging as one of the best defenders in the league.
There was no question they would repeat.
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