Red Auerbach vs. Phil Jackson: Vertical Horizon

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.

Not even the great MJ found success with life after Phil. For five years, Kobe has had to do it all on his own, and for five years he has come up short. Now he's back in the Show. What will he do when he gets there?

But what is it about Phil Jackson that rubbed Red the wrong way? Lenny Wilkens broke his record for most career victories, and he was happy about that. Pat Riley broke his record for most playoff wins, and he smirked at the achievement. So why not Phil?

It's easy really. According to Red, Phil never showed a complete basketball mind. He never had to develop raw talent—he just had to put them in the right puzzle place and watch the fun. When you think about it, that's partially true.

MJ had the skills, as did Kobe. Shaq had the power, as did Pippen. Gasol had the clutch moments, as did Kerr and Paxson. All of them had talent, and Phil did everything in his power to exploit them.

Despite my pure animosity for the Lakers, I wanted this NBA Finals. I wanted to see the look on Phil's face to see a man who he has beaten en route to a few of those NBA Titles beat him for a change.

That man is Doc Rivers. The pressure isn't completely on Doc, but the pressure is on him. But there is more pressure on Jackson, mainly because he's Phil Jackson.

As far as sore losers go, everyone remembers the scene where Phil jumped on his Harley and rode away from the dynasty that he was creating. In the process, he lost the many pieces that made him famous. Now we fast forward to present day, and Phil is in familiar territory. If it weren't for his relationship with the boss's daughter, would he still be with the Lakers?

No matter what the loyal writers of SoCal say, the writers on the other side of the country will say otherwise. They want Phil to lose, and the way that the Celtics are playing right now, he just might.

He has lost only NBA Finals appearance out of 10. (The loss to the Pistons in 2004 as the Lakers coach), but he can't ever match Red's overall mind and legacy of being basketball's Godfather.

So Red, have a cigar! The Celtics are going far. As for the Lakers and the writers of Los Angeles, Phil may win this NBA Championship, but he will never, I repeat never be Red Auerbach.

Put that in your mouth and smoke it, Phil.