Phil Jackson: Mark Cuban and the Laker Coach's 5 All-Time Biggest Rivals

The Zen Master, the winningest coach in NBA history, the one who never calls timeouts—whatever you know him as, Phil Jackson is no doubt one of the most renowned coaches in NBA history. 

With his high level of success, both with the Bulls and Lakers, Coach Jackson has built his résumé to the point where people have memorized all of his accolades. 

Over the years, Coach Jackson has battled all sorts of players, coaches and, at times, GMs, and when you're as powerful and renowned as Coach Jackson, one is bound to have enemies—more commonly known as "haters."

This is Coach Jackson's final season, so why not look back at his competitors and mortal enemies? In this slideshow, I will be listing Coach Jackson's five all-time biggest rivals. Hope you enjoy. As always, feel free to comment afterward.

5. Mike D'Antoni

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MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 27: New York Knicks head coach Mike D'Antoni looks on during a foul shot during a game gainst the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on February 27, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that

If there is one coach who shouldn't be taken more seriously than his team's defense, it is Mike D'Antoni. But you can't deny the fact that Coach D'Antoni has been more than an opposing coach to Coach Jackson.

Coach D'Antoni has always seemed to respect Coach Jackson, and in some ways his tactics as a coach have been similar—and, no, I'm not talking about defense.

Coach D'Antoni has battled Coach Jackson and the Lakers many times, and virtually every series has been down to the wire, usually coming down an amazing shot by Kobe Bryant on the elbow with the clock winding down. 

Though Coach D'Antoni's success doesn't even compare with Coach Jackson's, the tension and hatred has always been there. It still continues until this day.

4. Doc Rivers

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BOSTON, MA - MARCH 09: Doc Rivers of the Boston Celtics directs his players from the bench in the second half against the Los Angeles Clippers on March 9, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Boston Celtic

There is no argument against the fact that the Lakers-Celtics rivalry is the best in sports. Having said that, it is a given that Doc Rivers is among Coach Jackson's all-time biggest rivals. 

The mere fact that Coach Rivers defeated Coach Jackson in the NBA Finals only a couple years ago automatically puts him near the top. This is because Coach Jackson really hasn't had any one coach not only compete, but also defeat him in the Finals. 

Coach Rivers is one of the few who doesn't fear the Zen Master, and with the Celtics still among the best teams in the league, there is still a sense that the two will never quite settle their tensions until Coach Jackson retires.

3. Shaquille O'Neal

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 19: Shaquille O'Neal of the Boston Celtics talks on the phone as he attends NBA All-Star Saturday night presented by State Farm at Staples Center on February 19, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Get

It has to keep Coach Jackson up at night, thinking about the reality that Shaquille O'Neal is still in the league and he is also playing for the No. 1 enemy (Boston Celtics).

The now infamous dispute between Kobe, Shaq and Coach Jackson has been somewhat settled, but the dispute between Shaq and Coach Jackson seems to have never settled. 

Coach Jackson must despise Shaq for limiting the Lakers' potential to only three championships, and I say only because everyone knows that Lakers team would have won at least one more title with Shaq.

The two are among the most respected people in the basketball world, and until the two retire and kick back on a coastal island, the tension will be alive.

2. Pat Riley

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 19: Former NBA player Pat Riley attends NBA All-Star Saturday night presented by State Farm at Staples Center on February 19, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images)

Technically, there are no coaches who compete with Coach Jackson, but Pat Riley is someone who can compare.

Pat Riley was at one point Coach Jackson's biggest competitor, coaching the Showtime Lakers against Coach Jackson's Bulls.

There is probably one aspect of Coach Jackson's career that he prides himself the most on. That is the aspect of being arguably the best coach in Lakers history, and the reality that Coach Riley was one of the most popular people in L.A. when coaching must have made Coach Jackson fidget in his high seat.

The two are no doubt among the best coaches in the history of the game. Though Coach Jackson hasn't had too much trouble with overcoming coaches, Riley has always been more than a nuisance. He was his worst nightmare.

1. Mark Cuban

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DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 10: Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, uses a personal electonic device as he sits on the bench during warm ups against the Denver Nuggets during NBA action at the Pepsi Center on February 10, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The N

Let's pause and take a look at this picture of Mark Cuban. What do you see? Well, Coach Jackson sees both a bulls-eye and a punching bag, and we can't blame him for that. 

Mark Cuban is arguably the most obnoxious owner in the league today. Yes, he is good at being an owner, and yes, his Mavericks have been successful over the years. But more importantly, Cuban has been among the biggest rivals of Coach Jackson.

The two have always hated each other for one reason or another, whether it be who's the center of attention or who is the more successful person, though it isn't even close.

One thing is obvious: The two can't stand each other, and this may never go away. I don't blame Coach Jackson one bit.