NBA
OTD 1989: Bulls Hire HC Phil Jackson, Spark Dynasty
July 10, 1989: The Chicago Bulls hired Phil Jackson as head coach and he would lead them to 6 championships over the next decade
Chicago Tribune
July 10, 1989: Chicago #Bulls hired Phil Jackson as the new HC, sparking the NBA’s 1990s dynasty as Jackson would go on to win 6 championships in Chicago before joining the Lakers to win 5 more for the most titles (11) by a HC in NBA history pic.twitter.com/foKgiPWdm3
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) July 10, 2021
The Chicago Bulls utterly dominated the NBA throughout the 1990s, winning six Championships on two separate three-peats. SG Michael Jordan certainly played a major role in the decade-long dynasty, but it may have played out very differently if it wasn’t for one of the greatest coaches of all time.
On this day in 1989, the Bulls hired Phil Jackson as their newest head coach. Jackson was an assistant coach for the Nets between 1978-81 and the Bulls between 1987-89. At first, Jordan was hesitant about the head coach hire because it was public knowledge that Jackson’s mindset prioritized team success over individual development.
However, Jordan warmed up quickly to the HC, as the franchise immediately became the top dog of the entire Association. Jackson is without a doubt among the most accomplished HCs in NBA history, collecting 1,155 wins (seventh all-time) on a career .707 win percentage (first all-time with 1000+ games) and winning 11 Championships (most ever) over 20 seasons, as he followed his Bulls dynasty with an instant 3-peat in Los Angeles and then won two more titles with the Lakers in 2009-10 for good measure.
Most NBA Championships by a HC of all-time:
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) June 14, 2021
1. Phil Jackson (11 w/ Bulls & Lakers),
2. Red Auerbach (9 w/ Celtics),
T3. Gregg Popovich (5 w/ Spurs),
Pat Riley (5 w/ Lakers & Heat),
John Kundla (5 w/ Lakers) pic.twitter.com/CL9Dza08Y9
Most NBA Championships by a HC with 1 team ever:
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) April 27, 2021
1. Red Auerback (9 w/ BOS)
2. Phil Jackson (6 w/ CHI)
T3. Phil Jackson (5 w/ LAL)
T3. Gregg Popovich (5 w/ SAS)
T3. John Kundla (5 w/ LAL)
6. Pat Riley (4 w/ LAL)
7. Steve Kerr (3 w/ GSW) pic.twitter.com/aQOiJweb8g
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