The New York Knicks drafted Phil Jackson in 1967, and now they need his help again. Zen Master Phil was officially announced as the new president of the Knickerbockers today, and he will attempt to work his magic in order to get one of the league’s most stories teams back to their winning ways. Although Jackson is now in the front office rather than on the sideline, he will surely do anything he can to help his beloved Knicks reclaim their elite status. In honor of Phil’s new role with New York, we’re re-visiting a classic feature, All He Does is Zen, from the Nice Kicks archives.
As a head coach for the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, Jackson racked up 11 NBA titles in the fashion of three three-peats and one repeat. Having coached the likes of MJ, Kobe, Pip, Shaq, and the Worm, he saw his share of All-Stars, personalities, and sneaker heat. We take a look back at the best kicks from each of Phil’s 11 Championship teams.
Chicago Bulls 1990-91
In 1991 Phil helped Michael Jordan to get through the East and win his first NBA Championship. MJ wore the Air Jordan 6 throughout the regular season and playoffs, sticking with the Black/Infrared pair in the Finals against the Lakers. Scottie Pippen would also star rocking the Nike Air Flight Lite.
Phil Jackson in the Air Jordan 4 Black/Grey-Red Michael Jordan in the Air Jordan 6 Black/Infrared Scottie Pippen in the Nike Air Flight Lite Michael Jordan in the Air Jordan 6 White/Infrared Michael Jordan in the Air Jordan 6 and Horace Grant in Reebok Pumps
Chicago Bulls 1991-92
Phil and the Bulls proved the first time wasn’t luck grabbing two in a row. The Air Jordan 7 was the showcased sneaker of the postseason with Mike wearing what is now called the “Raptors”. Pip and co. rocked a variety of black nubuck kicks in the Finals.
Michael Jordan in the Air Jordan 7 Chicago Bulls 1991-92 Michael Jordan in the Air Jordan 7 Scottie Pippen in the Nike Air Flight Lite II and Michael Jordan in the Air Jordan 7 Michael Jordan in the Air Jordan 7 Close up of the Air Jordan 7 Phil Jackson Coaches to Second Ring
Chicago Bulls 1992-93
The Zen Master captured his first three peat in 1993. Jordan rocked the “Playoff” Air Jordan 8 throughout the postseason while Pippen, Armstrong, and Grant rocked different models from Nike’s Flight and Force camps.
Michael Jordan in the Air Jordan 8 Michael Jordan in the Air Jordan 8 Michael Jordan in the AIr Jordan 8 B.J. Armstrong in the Nike Air Ballistic Force High Horace Grant in the Nike Air Force High Scottie Pippen in the Nike Air Maestro
Chicago Bulls 1995-96
After MJ’s first retirement and an early exit, the Bulls were back on the title course. 1996 saw a great season for Chicago basketball and kicks. MJ rocked the Air Jordan 11 Black/Red in the Finals as did teammate Ron Harper. Scottie Pippen rocked the popular Nike Air More Uptempo in the postseason along with teammate Randy Brown.
Michael Jordan in the Air Jordan 11 Michael Jordan in the Air Jordan 11 Michael Jordan in the Air Jordan 11 Scottie Pippen and Randy Brown in the Nike Air More Uptempo Toni Kukoc in the Nike Air Max Uptempo Ron Harper in the Air Jordan 11 Dennis Rodman in the Nike Air Shake Ndestrukt Scottie Pippen in the Nike Air More Uptempo Phil Jackson Celebrates Fourth Championship
Chicago Bulls 1996-97
The Bulls brought more of the same in 97 winning two in a row. Rodman switched from Nike to Converse and rocked a new signature. MJ made two colorways of the Air Jordan 12 famous and Scottie finally got a shoe with his name on it. Pip rocked a special Zoom Air fueled makeup of the Pippen 1 as did Toni Kukoc.
Dennis Rodman in the Converse AS 91 Michael Jordan in the Air Jordan 12 Scottie Pippen in the Nike Air Pippen 1 Ron Harper in the Nike Air Movin’ Uptempo Toni Kukoc in the Nike Air Pippen 1 Michael Jordan in the Air Jordan 12 Luc Longley in the Air Jordan 12 Michael Jordan and Luc Longley in the Air Jordan 12 and Scottie Pippen and Toni Kukoc in the Nike Air Pippen 1
Chicago Bulls 1997-98
The repeat three-peat would see the end of an era for Michael and Phil. Jordan went out in style rocking the Air Jordan 13 and debuting the Air Jordan 14. Scottie was laced with a second signature that better fit his needs. The Team Jordan umbrella began to spread as more Bulls were seen in Jumpman branded shoes.
Phil Jackson in the Converse AS 91, talking to Michael Jordan in the Air Jordan 13 “He Got Game” (Image via Ballislife) Michael Jordan in the Air Jordan 14 Jud Buechler in the Nike Air Sky Flight Michael Jordan in the Air Jordan 13 Scott Burrell in the Jumpman Team One Scottie Pippen in the Nike Air Pippen II Toni Kukoc in the Jumpman Team One Luc Longley in the Nike Air Max Battle Force Michael Jordan in the Air Jordan 14 Ron Harper in the Air Jordan 13 Dennis Rodman in the Converse AS D-Rod Phil and Mike Celebrate 6 Rings
Los Angeles Lakers 1999-00
Much like a guy he coached, Phil also came out of retirement after a short span. This move would result in another title for the franchise he beat to get his first. Kobe sported his first named adidas signature while Shaq would wear his Dunk.net brand.
Ron Harper in the Jumpman Team J Robert Horry in the Nike Air Holistic Kobe Bryant in the adidas The Kobe Kobe Bryant in the adidas The Kobe Shaquille O’Neal in the Dunk.net Chromz Glen Rice in his Nautica sneaker Brian Shaw in the Nike Air Flightposite Phil wins #7
Los Angeles Lakers 2000-01
Double platinum was deja vu all over again for Phil Jackson. LA took two in a row as Kobe stuck to the script with the adidas The Kobe and Ron Harper proved a vet in his PE Air Jordans.
Derek Fisher in the Nike Air Jet Flight Rick Fox in the Nike Air Pure Profile Max Phil in Action Kobe Bryant in the adidas The Kobe Ron Harper in his Air Jordan 16 PE
Los Angeles Lakers 2001-02
The triangle offense added up to a third three-peat. Once again Kobe would do work in the same adidas sig and Shaq would play in his Dunkman line. This would be the last title for Shaq, Kobe, and Phil together as Shaq would be traded and Phil would later retire.
Kobe Bryant in the adidas The Kobe II with Phil and Shaq Shaquille O’Neal in his Dunkman sneaker Kobe Bryant in the adidas The Kobe Robert Horry in the Nike Air Dura Max
Los Angeles Lakers 2008-09
Phil came back to LA to coach a mature Kobe to another title. Much like MJ’s heyday, an assortment of Lakers rocked Bryant’s signature shoe on court.
Kobe Bryant in the Nike Zoom Kobe IV Phil Callin’ the Shots Lamar Odom’s Nike Zoom Kobe IV Pau Gasol in the Nike Hyperdunk Lamar Odom in the Nike Zoom Kobe IV Trevor Ariza in the Nike Zoom Kobe IV Andrew Bynum in the Nike Air Foamposite Lite Derek Fisher in the Nike Air Power Max?
Los Angeles Lakers 2009-10
The last title for Phil in LA? It appears so, but only time will tell. Last year the Lakers beat the Celtics in a series that saw many future classics from Nike basketball.
Pau Gasol in the Nike Hyperize and Lamar Odom in the Nike Hyperdunk Kobe Bryant in the Nike Zoom Kobe V “Finals” Derek Fisher in the Nike Zoom Kobe V “Finals” Phil picks up #11
New York Knicks 1970/1973
For good measure, we remind you that the pharaoh of coaching also has two rings as a player. In both 1970 and 1973, Phil Jackson and his beloved New York Knicks beat Wilt Chamberlain and the Lakers for the title. Maybe the Zen Master is just trying to get off of unlucky #13…
Phil Jackson goes up on Wilt Chamberlain in adidas low-tops Phil Jackson returns from winning the NBA Finals carrying his adidas low-tops
Images via Huffington Post
