The Zen's Best 10: The Most Memorable Moments in Phil Jackson's Career

On a sad and historic day, just around three weeks ago, the person who many consider to be the best coach in the history of basketball retired. 

Phil Jackson coached the Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan, to six championship rings in a span of only nine years. Already cemented as one of the best ever, he returned to the NBA and coached two different Laker dynasties to five rings. 

Jackson was not only one of the best coaches in general, he also got lucky in coaching two very exciting and memorable dynasties. His strange yet genius tactics made the games all the more interesting.

And thus, after pillaging through millions of games (and this is especially hard considering how many significant games the Zen Master has coached), here are Phil Jax Top 10 most memorable games. 

10. Game 7, 2000 Western Confence Finals

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LOS ANGELES - JUNE 4: Head coach Phil Jackson of the Los Angeles Lakers signals triangle defense as assistant coach Frank Hamblen looks on during Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center on June 4, 2000

In one of the great comebacks in NBA playoff history, the LA Lakers came back from a 15-point deficit in 10 minutes to win a Game 7.

With the Lakers still unproven—and with a new coach at the helm—they went on to beat the Indiana Pacers in the Finals.  The run was also capped by one of the more famous plays of the past decade, an electrifying alley-oop from Kobe Bryant to Shaquille O'Neal.

This solidified that Phil could win with a new bunch of players, and he could coach a comeback from a huge deficit.

9. Game 6, 1997 NBA Finals

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10 Jun 1997: Coach Phil Jackson of the Chicago Bulls speaks to reporters during a practice before a playoff game against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

A year after winning an NBA-record 72 games and a championship (we'll get to that soon enough), the Bulls backed it up with 67 wins and another championship. 

They beat the Jazz and the almighty Stockton and Malone in six games. It was a series most remember for Michael Jordan's playing through the flu and still managing to score 38 points in Game 2.

Furthermore, this was Jackson's fifth ring. That was already the third-most of all time. Very significant moment. 

8. Game 6, 1993 NBA Finals

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13 Jan 1998: Head coach Phil Jackson of the Chicago Bulls looks on during a game against the Seattle Supersonics at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls won the game, 101-91. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport

This was the first of three three-peats that Phil Jackson accomplished, beating the Phoenix Suns 4-2.

Sadly, this moment was bittersweet for Chicago fans. Shortly after, Jordan announced he was retiring.

Though it wouldn't last for long, it surely took away from the joy of the three-peat. 

7. Game 6, 2000 NBA Finals

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EL SEGUNDO, CA - MAY 11: Former coach of the Los Angeles Lakers Phil Jackson during a news conference at the Lakers training facility on May 11, 2011 in El Segundo, California. The Lakers were swept out of their best of seven series with the Dallas Maver

Fortunately for the Lakers, Jackson decided to come out of retirement and got a chance to coach two rising superstars in the league: Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal. 

The Lakers had an amazing regular season, winning 67 games. They had a fairly easy postseason run, save an epic seven game series against the Trail Blazers and one of Jackson's old players, Scottie Pippen.

They beat Reggie Miller and the Pacers in six games in the finals. Jackson's second dynasty was underway. 

6. Game 5, 2004 Western Conference Semifinals

One of the most memorable shots in NBA history. With his Spurs down a point, Tim Duncan hits an unreal, turn-around, fall away shot—all but handing the Spurs a crucial 3-2 lead in this series. The video tells the rest.

This shot might have actually been No. 1 had the Lakers gone on to take the title, but they lost in five games to the Detroit Pistons.

A great shot, and also a perfectly drawn up play with only 0.4 seconds left.

5. Game Six of 1996 NBA Finals

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SEATTLE - FEBRUARY 2: Scottie Pippen #33 of the Chicago Bulls drives against the Seattle SuperSonics on February 2, 2004 at the Key Arena in Seattle, Washington. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this

Michael Jordan decided to come back, which was a great thing for Chicago and a not-so-great thing for the rest of the league. After a two-year title drought, the Bulls had the best NBA record of all time at 72-10 and an amazing winning margin.

It came at no surprise that they zoomed past the Eastern Conference to get to the finals, where they had little trouble handling the Sonics.

On a side note, this was the first season Dennis Rodman played for the Bulls, a memorable moment in itself. 

4. Game 5, 2009 NBA Finals

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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: Head coach Phil Jackson of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks to the media after the Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic in Game Five of the 2009 NBA Finals on June 14, 2009 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. The Lakers won 99-86. NOTE

What happened to his team on the court was only another easy win for his Lakers against the vastly overmatched Orlando Magic. The Lakers proved they were the team to beat, finishing off a great playoff run with one final blow and winning by 13 points.

However, this win was very significant for Phil, who captured his tenth all-time ring. This putt him all alone in first on the list.

Although it may have been sweeter to beat a big rival, or to win a nail-biting seventh game, it is still a very memorable moment.

3. Game 5, 1991 NBA Finals

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5 Jun 1991: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles the ball during game two of the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Bulls defeated the Lakers 107-86. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport

The game wasn't that memorable, but what it signified can never be forgotten. Game 5 of the 1991 NBA finals against Los Angeles was the game where Phil Jackson won his first championship as a head coach. 

He had come to Chicago the year before, and many doubted if someone seemingly more suited to being a hippie could conform to the challenges of the head coaching job—especially the coaching job of perhaps the most dysfunctional team in the league.

But, through his zany wisdom, he made it work. This game started his career, and, in a way, Michael Jordan's beginnings as the undisputed G.O.A.T. 

2. Game 7, 2010 NBA Finals

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17: Head coach Phil Jackson of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks during the post game news conference as he celebrates after the Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics 83-79 in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 17

Phil's 11th and most recent title was very sweet for many reasons.

1. His Lakers were on the brink of elimination, trailing 3-2. It was the first time a Jackson-coached team had lost three games and gone on to win the finals.

2. He beat the hated Celtics in seven games

3. It ensured that he would have more championships than non-championships.

4. It was the first seven-game finals in his career.

Of course, the nail-biting Game 7 was great with Kobe Bryant not playing well. The Lakers were cold for the first three quarters, and then Pau and Kobe woke up and led the charge for an 83-79 win.

A very memorable moment.

1. Game 6, 1998 NBA Finals

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4 Jun 1997: Guard Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen of the Chicago Bulls and guard Howard Eisley and forward Bryon Russell of the Utah Jazz fight for the ball during a playoff game at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls won the game 97-85.

So much to mention here:

The Bulls pulled off their second three-peat, Michael Jordan retired from the game for the second time, and, most importantly for this slide show, Phil Jackson retired for the first time.

As amazing a moment it was for Chicago, and probably for Phil Jackson, it was sad to finally recognize the end of perhaps the second-greatest dynasty in NBA history. 

Of course, there was the parting shot, a sweet, stepback jumper by MJ that sealed the deal for Chicago.

Furthermore, this was an amazing series, as illustrated in the highest Nielsen rating of all time (at that time) for an NBA finals.