Phil Jackson and the Los Angeles Lakers: There is Always Life After Basketball

Phil Jackson has said over and over again that this would be his last season with the Lakers. This is his last and final stand to an unprecedented 12th NBA championship.

It was always the challenges that drew him back. Each season comes with a different challenge, a different drama that usually ends with a very intriguing finale. Basketball has been a constant fixture in his life, a comfort zone that time and time again became his fall-back.

There is always something about championships for Phil. Beyond those glittering gold trophies and extravagant celebrations, it was never about the competition. It was always the thought of overcoming all season’s obstacles and failures before they triumphed. Each wins is always an added experience a growth and maturity to a team. Just like Vince Lombardi always said, “Winning isn’t everything, but the will to win is everything.”

There are still a lot of challenges left, a lot of mountains left unclimbed. However, the thrill and excitement seem to slowly die down.

He has done so much for basketball; won championships, coach of the year awards and has coached the NBA’s greatest players in Michael Jordan, Shaq and Kobe. He has been in basketball for too long and won games more than he could imagine. He always has a game plan for everything and retiring is one of them.

The Lakers so far this season have been in some tumultuous games. They have been blown out by the Milwaukee Bucks for almost 20 points on their home court. They lost to the Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs and recently to the (11-33) Sacramento Kings.

The Lakers still holds the Western conference No. 2 spot. However, they have a problem of being consistent this season. This would be the ultimate challenge for Jackson to pull this off. However, regardless if they win a championship this time, he already made up his mind. This would be his last season…last and final climb.

"Like life, basketball is messy and unpredictable," Jackson once wrote. "It has its way with you, no matter how hard you try to control it. The trick is to experience each moment with a clear mind and open heart. When you do that, the game—and life—will take care of itself."

For Phil Jackson, there is always a life after basketball.