Phil Jackson Would Pick Russell Over Jordan To Start Dream Team

Phil JacksonFormer Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson continues to do the rounds while promoting his new book, Eleven Rings, and was recently asked which player he’d start with when picking his dream team of all-time greats.

—- Check out this wallpaper of Phil Jackson, owner of 11 rings! —-

Most believe Jackson would likely go with Michael Jordan or maybe even Kobe Bryant, but the 11-time NBA champion surprisingly went in a different direction choosing to go with NBA legend Bill Russell via ESPNLosAngeles.com:

“In my estimation, the guy that has to be there would be Bill Russell. He has won 11 championships as a player,” Jackson said in an interview with Time. “That’s really the idea of what excellence is, when you win championships.”

Although Jordan is arguably the greatest NBA player of all-time and Kobe has accomplished enough to put himself in the debate, Jackson going with Russell over both players makes sense to a certain degree.

Obviously, Russell was a product of his era and a pioneer along with former Laker Wilt Chamberlain in terms of bringing an entirely different dynamic to the game of basketball. Despite that being the case, 11 championships in 13 seasons for the Boston Celtics as a player and player-coach is undeniably the most dominant stretch by a player in the history of the league.

There’s no doubt debate will go on about whether or not Russell would truly be the right choice over other Lakers outside of Wilt and Kobe like Magic Johnson or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but in terms of championship no one touches Russell with 11 titles. With Jackson stating that championships was the deciding fact and the mark of excellence, Russell trumps all with all the players mentioned above only have as accomplished in that category.

—————————————————————————————————————–

Did you see Dr. Buss honored at the 2013 Sports Spectacular gala? If not, check out our video below and don’t forget to click here to subscribe to our YouTube Channel!

You May Also Like

NBA News: Lamar Odom Reportedly Missing For Nearly 72 Hours

Over the last couple of days, TMZ has reported about Lamar Odom’s…

Thunder’s Scott Brooks Wants Derek Fisher Back in Oklahoma City

After more than two months on the open market as a free…

Greg Monroe Signs Qualifying Offer With Detroit Pistons

[new_royalslider id=”312″] With the start of the 2014-15 NBA season near, Greg…

Lakers Rumors & Recaps: Lakers Looking To Make More Moves?

The rumors are starting swirl around the City of Angels once again…