NBA Final-ly Rid of Phil Jackson
Phil Jackson won't be in this season's NBA Finals.
The Los Angeles Lakers visit the Sixers Monday night sans long-time NBA icon Phil Jackson, who retired as head coach following the Lakers' loss in last seasons playoffs.
And if you disagree with the term "icon" consider this: In the 41 seasons from 1969-70 through 2009-10, Jackson's teams appeared in 16 Finals, winning 13.
Or this: Over the course of his career, Jackson's teams appeared in 82 best-of-five or longer playoff series. There were 66-16 in those series and were swept only twice (the Knicks by the Sixers in 1978, the Lakers by the Mavericks last season).
After Los Angeles beat the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2003 playoffs, Jacksons' teams (Bulls or Lakers) had won 25 consecutive postseason series. At that point, he was 41-3 in playoff series as a coach.
Here are Jackson's teams Finals appearances (*injured, missed entire season):