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Phil Jackson: Lord of the Rings
With eleven championship rings to his name, Phil Jackson is internationally recognized as one of the greatest coaches in the history of the NBA. Known as a defensive disrupter and a master fouler during his early days as a New York Knick and later celebrated as the “Zen Master” for his inspirational tactics as a leader, Jackson has had a long and storied career marked by constant self-reflection and reinvention. This is the man who led Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls to six championships, Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers to five; who was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame; and who retired in 2011, an official legend—and the most sought-after free-agent coach in history.
As befits a legend, Jackson has written several candid, insightful books about his life and career, but now one of America’s most respected sportswriters turns an unvarnished light on Jackson’s strange and remarkable journey, from his sheltered childhood and adolescence in Montana and North Dakota, through his years playing at Madison Square Garden, to his experiences coaching Jordan, Bryant, and more of the greatest players of our time. New York Times- bestselling author Peter Richmond has written a personal, definitive, revealing biography of a veritable sports genius, and an American classic.
As befits a legend, Jackson has written several candid, insightful books about his life and career, but now one of America’s most respected sportswriters turns an unvarnished light on Jackson’s strange and remarkable journey, from his sheltered childhood and adolescence in Montana and North Dakota, through his years playing at Madison Square Garden, to his experiences coaching Jordan, Bryant, and more of the greatest players of our time. New York Times- bestselling author Peter Richmond has written a personal, definitive, revealing biography of a veritable sports genius, and an American classic.
340 pages, Hardcover
First published October 3, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 12, 2014
This is a fascinating book about Phil Jackson, about where he came from, growing up in Montana, to playing college ball at North Dakota. They are more known for hockey than basketball but that is the only place that gave him a scholarship. He is also a baseball pitcher and threw a one hitter against Arkansas State. It is also the place where he comes into touch with a book by William James, “The varieties of religious experiences”. Also about the Lakota Sioux Tribe and their teaching. He was drafted by the Knicks in the second round the same year they drafted Walt Frazier. He played on both championship teams with the Knicks though he was hurt for their first one and sat on the bench with Red Holtzman. Learning from him by watching, with Bill Fritch being his college coach he had two men who would one day be in the Basketball Hall Of Fame, learning the game early on. He goes on to coach in the winter league and he coaches in the CBA, and wins a championship. Wanting to make the jump to coach in the N.B.A. he accepts an assisting job with the Bulls. Doug Collins was the head coach and Tex Winter was one of the other assistant coaches. This was Collins third year and the team was expecting big things. They had traded for Bill Cartwright and a guard by the name of Hodges. The management also expected Collins to run the triangle offense that is why they brought in Tex Winter, but Collins was still doing his own thing. Then came a game on Dec 17, 1988. The Bulls went to up to play the Bucks in Milwaukee, the Bulls were 11-10 and the Bucks were 11-9. By hail time the Bulls were down by double digits points and Collins gets ejected and turns the game over to Jackson. He turns the game over to Hodges and the Bulls score 66 and hold the Bucks to 38 they humiliate Del Harris the Bucks coach and in the stands that night was Jerry Krause, Collins would be let go the Bulls would go on to six titles while Jackson, Jordan, Pippen and others were there. Jackson and Krause would also argue and Krause still believe that he does not get the credit he deserves for drafting Jordan, trading for some of the other players and for really hiring Jackson to begin with. The book then goes on with his time in with the Lakers and the falling out with Jerry West. This was not good but the Lakers were willing to let West go even though his player deals were the reason why they were even in the running for a title. Yes they would win but at what cost? Now they really don’t have a future or a person with the skill to get the talent they need. The book ends with Jackson staring his new job in New York and can he rebuild a Knicks team and bring them another title that they have not won since he played for them back in the 70s. Who knows? This book is filled with a lot of information and facts and was a very good book, whether you are into basketball or not, it is a good read. I got this book from net galley.
July 15, 2015
Sometimes it's easy to be a little frightened by reviews.
I'm not talking specifically about movies, although certainly that can happen. Who wants to go a film that the experts say it hardly worth your money?
It can happen to a book too. That brings us to Peter Richmond's book, "Phil Jackson - Lord of the Rings."
The reviews on Amazon.com are quite harsh. Admittedly, there aren't many equivalents to the late Roger Ebert reviewing books on there, and in this case only a handful of reviews have been posted - all neutral to unfavorable. It was enough to keep this unread in my household for quite a while.
Still, having finally completed it, I think the other readers probably underestimate the book. It's not an instant classic, but it has its pleasures.
If you've been following basketball for the last few decades, you know Jackson's story. He came out of the Midwest (North Dakota, mostly) and arrived in New York to join the Knicks as a player - just in time to see that franchise go through the most glorious era in its history. The Knicks won titles in 1970 and 1973, and Jackson contributed to the latter team's success. (He was hurt in 1969-70.) That New York squad had a variety of memorable characters, but stories reveal that Jackson was the one mostly likely to be a coach.
It took a while, but he finally got his shot at an NBA coaching job. Not only was he ready for the big time, but he had some great company. Ever hear of Michael Jordan? The Bulls ran off six titles during their dynasty, and Jackson did a fabulous job of keeping the band together during that stretch. No coaches can win without talent, but not all coaches can win with it, and Jackson held together those Bulls teams of Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Co.
Then it was on to Los Angeles, where Jackson fell in with Shaq, Kobe and Co. Same story there, and more rings - an eventual total of 11 in his career. No one has more in basketball history. Richmond calls Jackson the most successful coach in basketball history, and the author has a case. Jackson finally left the Lakers a couple of years ago, but landed as the head executive of the Knicks last year. He's still looking for the next Jordan or Bryant in New York; good luck on that.
Richmond mixes a variety of sources to try to paint a picture of Jackson, certainly one of the most interesting personalities to come along in any sport. He's obviously smart and thoughtful, and comes across as considerate and adaptable when it comes to people. Those are all good qualities for a coach. Many of those who crossed Jackson's path are quoted here, some with direct quotes through interviews.
The author does have one good source for material - Jackson himself, but not directly. He refused to be interviewed for the book, although he promised not to do it any harm either. No, Jackson has written several books himself over the years. The first of those was called "Maverick" in 1975. I recall buying that book, which listed at the time for $7.95, for 88 cents at a used book store and thinking that I had overpaid. Richmond thought it was on the sour side as well. Imagine my surprise when I saw that copies of the book now were going for 100 times more than what I paid for it. Ugh.
The author also quotes several other books and interviews in the search for insight. Any book about Jackson will have some sections devoted to some non-traditional topics by basketball book standards - meaning that Jackson's interest in Native American and personal philosophy come up here. It's all part of the package.
The critics' biggest complaint centered on some silly errors in the text, remarks I usually associated with baseball fans and books on that subject (many such enthusiasts seem to take pleasure in finding such errors). It is difficult to believe that the Bulls were called the Bullets once in this book, and that some game details on playoff games came out wrong. I was surprised that the name of the Buffalo Braves' arena was botched, and that John Havlicek's injury in the Boston-New York series of 1973 didn't come up in the recap - obviously a huge part of the story.
Maybe more to the point, Jackson seems like a person who is hard to pin down here - even in a book that runs more than 300 pages. Of course, to many that's part of his charm.
Richmond has some flair in his writing, and has done some good work elsewhere. He certainly gave this an honest effort, and the book goes by pretty quickly. "Phil Jackson" might not turn out to be the definitive look at this coaching legend, but it does offer some insights that are part of the puzzle.
I'm not talking specifically about movies, although certainly that can happen. Who wants to go a film that the experts say it hardly worth your money?
It can happen to a book too. That brings us to Peter Richmond's book, "Phil Jackson - Lord of the Rings."
The reviews on Amazon.com are quite harsh. Admittedly, there aren't many equivalents to the late Roger Ebert reviewing books on there, and in this case only a handful of reviews have been posted - all neutral to unfavorable. It was enough to keep this unread in my household for quite a while.
Still, having finally completed it, I think the other readers probably underestimate the book. It's not an instant classic, but it has its pleasures.
If you've been following basketball for the last few decades, you know Jackson's story. He came out of the Midwest (North Dakota, mostly) and arrived in New York to join the Knicks as a player - just in time to see that franchise go through the most glorious era in its history. The Knicks won titles in 1970 and 1973, and Jackson contributed to the latter team's success. (He was hurt in 1969-70.) That New York squad had a variety of memorable characters, but stories reveal that Jackson was the one mostly likely to be a coach.
It took a while, but he finally got his shot at an NBA coaching job. Not only was he ready for the big time, but he had some great company. Ever hear of Michael Jordan? The Bulls ran off six titles during their dynasty, and Jackson did a fabulous job of keeping the band together during that stretch. No coaches can win without talent, but not all coaches can win with it, and Jackson held together those Bulls teams of Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Co.
Then it was on to Los Angeles, where Jackson fell in with Shaq, Kobe and Co. Same story there, and more rings - an eventual total of 11 in his career. No one has more in basketball history. Richmond calls Jackson the most successful coach in basketball history, and the author has a case. Jackson finally left the Lakers a couple of years ago, but landed as the head executive of the Knicks last year. He's still looking for the next Jordan or Bryant in New York; good luck on that.
Richmond mixes a variety of sources to try to paint a picture of Jackson, certainly one of the most interesting personalities to come along in any sport. He's obviously smart and thoughtful, and comes across as considerate and adaptable when it comes to people. Those are all good qualities for a coach. Many of those who crossed Jackson's path are quoted here, some with direct quotes through interviews.
The author does have one good source for material - Jackson himself, but not directly. He refused to be interviewed for the book, although he promised not to do it any harm either. No, Jackson has written several books himself over the years. The first of those was called "Maverick" in 1975. I recall buying that book, which listed at the time for $7.95, for 88 cents at a used book store and thinking that I had overpaid. Richmond thought it was on the sour side as well. Imagine my surprise when I saw that copies of the book now were going for 100 times more than what I paid for it. Ugh.
The author also quotes several other books and interviews in the search for insight. Any book about Jackson will have some sections devoted to some non-traditional topics by basketball book standards - meaning that Jackson's interest in Native American and personal philosophy come up here. It's all part of the package.
The critics' biggest complaint centered on some silly errors in the text, remarks I usually associated with baseball fans and books on that subject (many such enthusiasts seem to take pleasure in finding such errors). It is difficult to believe that the Bulls were called the Bullets once in this book, and that some game details on playoff games came out wrong. I was surprised that the name of the Buffalo Braves' arena was botched, and that John Havlicek's injury in the Boston-New York series of 1973 didn't come up in the recap - obviously a huge part of the story.
Maybe more to the point, Jackson seems like a person who is hard to pin down here - even in a book that runs more than 300 pages. Of course, to many that's part of his charm.
Richmond has some flair in his writing, and has done some good work elsewhere. He certainly gave this an honest effort, and the book goes by pretty quickly. "Phil Jackson" might not turn out to be the definitive look at this coaching legend, but it does offer some insights that are part of the puzzle.
March 21, 2014
Dreadful. An unnecessary, redundant rehash of newspaper articles, soft ball interviews, and old news. Fact that author never spoke with Jackson kills book. Author tries some hip, streetwise sports writing but it falls flat. Good book for a teenager to read. Perpetuates myth of Jackson as out of the box deep thinking counter-cultural figure. What I would have liked to know - for example - why did both marriages break up; do his children talk to him; how come he couldn't win with the Bulls when MJ sat out for two years; what was it like to come from North Dakota in 1967 to New York - what were his impressions of the City; did it change him? No, just season by season recapitulations of his years with the Bulls, the Lakers, and so on. Waste of time.
June 5, 2015
You know what made me dislike this book? The little snide remarks. The sarcasm. Kobe has a stupid name. Michael Jordan's career gets written off in half a paragraph. It feels cheap, like it's there to mask the fact that all the sources are second-hand and there's no input from Phil whatsoever.
Richmond is a great reporter, but this isn't his finest work.
Richmond is a great reporter, but this isn't his finest work.
October 13, 2017
Author Peter Richmond writes about the life of Phil Jackson, a former NBA player and coach. In this basketball-filled biography, which was written in 2014, it goes through Jackson’s early life in Montana and North Dakota to his life up to 2014. Some characters worthy of note in the novel include his parents Charles and Elizabeth Jackson and former players he coached such as Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Kobe Bryant. In Jackson’s early life, he originally grew up in Montana and then moved to North Dakota in high school as the basketball programs were more competitive than Montana. Jackson rose to the competition and became a standout basketball player at Williston High School. While playing during his high school, Jackson found out the hard way that it took dedication and hard work to succeed. This was because he learned the hard way towards winning a high school championship, losing it his sophomore year, then rebounding from that to lead his team to winning two straight high school championships. This success lead to heavy recruitment to Division II schools for basketball. Jackson decided to stay close to home and attend the University of North Dakota. He also achieved success during this time, but not championship success as he and his team lost both their championship opportunities to Southern Illinois University. The valuable lesson Jackson took during high school is learn from the mistakes you make and improve upon them to achieve success.
After his tenure at the University of North Dakota, Jackson reached the next chapter of his life: into profession basketball in the NBA. In 1967, Jackson was drafted in the second round by the New York Knicks. As his 12 year playing career went on, Jackson did not find that much success on the court in the NBA. Realizing of a lack of success in the NBA prompted Jackson to approach a different way of using his great knowledge in basketball. Jackson decided to start working as a coach in basketball. He slowly built up his coaching resumé as he would become one of the greatest coaches in basketball history. Jackson first started coaching in the professional basketball league in Puerto Rico for a team called “Piratas de Quebradillas”. Like his high school days, Jackson felt the need to show dedication and hard work to coaching this team if he wanted to get back to the NBA, this time as a head coach.
After this experience, Jackson was hired as an assistant coach for the Chicago Bulls under new head coach Doug Collins. During his time as head coach from 1987-1989, he learned a lot of valuable basketball coaching lessons from other assistant coach Tex Winter. A veteran coach of about 20 years of experience at the time, Winter taught Jackson how to coach a strategy known as the “Triangle Offense”. The triangle offense is a plan where one guard, forward, and center form a triangle shape in the front court and involves a lot of passing. With this growth and development as a coach, Jackson was promoted from assistant coach to head coach of the Bulls due to the firing of Doug Collins. This 11 year tenure as head coach changed the way Jackson was perceived in the basketball world forever. He developed Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen from the stars they were on that team into superstars. He led the Bulls to six NBA championships in what became one of the greatest dynasties in NBA history. Jackson credited his players’ determination and commitment towards becoming a great team and not just his own hard work. Jackson stresses hard work as a key towards his ascension to the top of the basketball. This book has now inspired me to put in more dedication towards the work I do if I want to achieve my goals. It also teaches you that you need to take advantage of the God-given talent you were given, just like Jackson did.
After his tenure at the University of North Dakota, Jackson reached the next chapter of his life: into profession basketball in the NBA. In 1967, Jackson was drafted in the second round by the New York Knicks. As his 12 year playing career went on, Jackson did not find that much success on the court in the NBA. Realizing of a lack of success in the NBA prompted Jackson to approach a different way of using his great knowledge in basketball. Jackson decided to start working as a coach in basketball. He slowly built up his coaching resumé as he would become one of the greatest coaches in basketball history. Jackson first started coaching in the professional basketball league in Puerto Rico for a team called “Piratas de Quebradillas”. Like his high school days, Jackson felt the need to show dedication and hard work to coaching this team if he wanted to get back to the NBA, this time as a head coach.
After this experience, Jackson was hired as an assistant coach for the Chicago Bulls under new head coach Doug Collins. During his time as head coach from 1987-1989, he learned a lot of valuable basketball coaching lessons from other assistant coach Tex Winter. A veteran coach of about 20 years of experience at the time, Winter taught Jackson how to coach a strategy known as the “Triangle Offense”. The triangle offense is a plan where one guard, forward, and center form a triangle shape in the front court and involves a lot of passing. With this growth and development as a coach, Jackson was promoted from assistant coach to head coach of the Bulls due to the firing of Doug Collins. This 11 year tenure as head coach changed the way Jackson was perceived in the basketball world forever. He developed Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen from the stars they were on that team into superstars. He led the Bulls to six NBA championships in what became one of the greatest dynasties in NBA history. Jackson credited his players’ determination and commitment towards becoming a great team and not just his own hard work. Jackson stresses hard work as a key towards his ascension to the top of the basketball. This book has now inspired me to put in more dedication towards the work I do if I want to achieve my goals. It also teaches you that you need to take advantage of the God-given talent you were given, just like Jackson did.
August 28, 2023
I picked up this book because I loved his book Badassess about John Madden’s Oakland Raiders. He gave a raw look at that team, so I was curious about his telling or Phil Jackson. I am a lifelong sports fan, so I know a lot about Phil Jackson because he spent a huge chunk of my life on my TV screen… coaching teams I was always cheering against. So what was he really like? I thought this curious and my familiarity with the author would be a good read.
And it was… until it wasn’t.
The book is at its best when it talks about Phil’s upbringing, his college years, his years in the NBA and his years coaching in the CBA. Richmond did such a great job sourcing interviews and research that you feel like you have experience watching everything from the big man camps to his bus rides to CBA games. Even during this part I get annoyed at pot shots at Isiah Thomas.
The quality of the book plummets when Phil gets the Bulls job. He goes from being a man, to a wise sage who is always right in the eyes of the Richmond. Michael Jordan is described in ways more fitting for Ricky Davis than arguably the best player of all-time. When anyone has issue with Phil, it’s argued against by the author. Van Gundy takes issue with Phil? He gets called Van Gumby the rest of the way.
Somewhere in the writing of the book, Richmond forgets that he admits that Phil was never as much of a “hippie” as was put on. He grew up Conservative and never strayed much from that throughout his career, but in the end… when people point that out the author in his own words argues against their statements. And his defense? Basically that he “defends Native Americans and coached black people.” It’s that kind of understanding that is riddled through this book.
I wanted a book that revealed something about the man. Flaws and all. What I got was a friend who wanted to elbow his way into writing a future book, and stay in Phil’s good graces.
He even had the nerve to besmirch Jerry West after Phil did him dirty. The only reason I gave this two stars and not one is because Peter Richmond CAN write. He has a way with words, but this book was so disappointing.
And it was… until it wasn’t.
The book is at its best when it talks about Phil’s upbringing, his college years, his years in the NBA and his years coaching in the CBA. Richmond did such a great job sourcing interviews and research that you feel like you have experience watching everything from the big man camps to his bus rides to CBA games. Even during this part I get annoyed at pot shots at Isiah Thomas.
The quality of the book plummets when Phil gets the Bulls job. He goes from being a man, to a wise sage who is always right in the eyes of the Richmond. Michael Jordan is described in ways more fitting for Ricky Davis than arguably the best player of all-time. When anyone has issue with Phil, it’s argued against by the author. Van Gundy takes issue with Phil? He gets called Van Gumby the rest of the way.
Somewhere in the writing of the book, Richmond forgets that he admits that Phil was never as much of a “hippie” as was put on. He grew up Conservative and never strayed much from that throughout his career, but in the end… when people point that out the author in his own words argues against their statements. And his defense? Basically that he “defends Native Americans and coached black people.” It’s that kind of understanding that is riddled through this book.
I wanted a book that revealed something about the man. Flaws and all. What I got was a friend who wanted to elbow his way into writing a future book, and stay in Phil’s good graces.
He even had the nerve to besmirch Jerry West after Phil did him dirty. The only reason I gave this two stars and not one is because Peter Richmond CAN write. He has a way with words, but this book was so disappointing.
Read
May 26, 2020Phil Jackson is known for his extraordinary success as a coach, but how was he as a person?
Phil Jackson: Lord of the Rings by Peter Richmond is a book that outlines the coaching career of Phil Jackson. It outlines his coaching career first, with the Chicago Bulls, and a little bit with the Knicks and Lakers. The book not only talks about how he managed to win many rings with NBA teams, but also how his relationship with his players was.
Firstly I would like to say that this book in my opinion was very good. The first reason I liked this book was because throughout the whole book I was rarely ever getting bored, and was constantly learning new facts that I hadn't known before. They specifically talked about how Phil coped with his loses, how he strategically planned his games in advance, and most importantly his relationships with his players. Secondly I really enjoyed this book because it taught me a lot about the preparation that NBA coaches have to do in advance to a game so they can ensure they have the best chances of winning the game. Finally the last reason I liked this book was because it showed the importance of coming together as a team in tough situations to win games, and how every player should be like brothers toward each other.
If you like basketball coaching and Phil Jackson, you will like this book alot.
Phil Jackson: Lord of the Rings by Peter Richmond is a book that outlines the coaching career of Phil Jackson. It outlines his coaching career first, with the Chicago Bulls, and a little bit with the Knicks and Lakers. The book not only talks about how he managed to win many rings with NBA teams, but also how his relationship with his players was.
Firstly I would like to say that this book in my opinion was very good. The first reason I liked this book was because throughout the whole book I was rarely ever getting bored, and was constantly learning new facts that I hadn't known before. They specifically talked about how Phil coped with his loses, how he strategically planned his games in advance, and most importantly his relationships with his players. Secondly I really enjoyed this book because it taught me a lot about the preparation that NBA coaches have to do in advance to a game so they can ensure they have the best chances of winning the game. Finally the last reason I liked this book was because it showed the importance of coming together as a team in tough situations to win games, and how every player should be like brothers toward each other.
If you like basketball coaching and Phil Jackson, you will like this book alot.
May 29, 2017
Phil Jackson, both as an individual and a highly successful basketball coach, has intrigued me for a long while. Of particular interest was how he was able to manage and motivate players who for the most part possess limited intellect, a blatant disregard of authority, a tendency towards violence and are grossly overcompensated. Does Phil truly possess some magic hoo doo that brings all these super sized egos to heal or is it all smoke and mirrors?
While this book is entertaining, after a while, the Sports Illustrated style becomes tedious. There are far too many inside references that leave the mainstream reader on the outside. Having read several of Phil's own books, I thought this biography by Richmond (who still appears to carry a grudge against Jackson) might provide new insights into the life and lifestyle of the Zen master. It did not.
While this book is entertaining, after a while, the Sports Illustrated style becomes tedious. There are far too many inside references that leave the mainstream reader on the outside. Having read several of Phil's own books, I thought this biography by Richmond (who still appears to carry a grudge against Jackson) might provide new insights into the life and lifestyle of the Zen master. It did not.
December 1, 2020
I enjoyed learning more about Phil Jackson's background. It illuminated his past and how he is oft imitated (looking at you Larry K), most often without the same level of success. I appreciated the focus on Phil instead of MJ or Kobe and this book, while flawed, helps put the current state of basketball in context
June 7, 2020
What can you say about a coach that had to train Michael Jordan to be a team player.
October 22, 2020
It kept me interested, and I liked the other viewpoints on Phil Jackson. However, I wouldn't read again, and this would not be one I would suggest to friends. Not a bad read though.
November 17, 2023
If you're a basketball fan, this is a book for you. It takes you through the struggles of one of the greatest coaches of the game as a player and beyond.
November 28, 2017
Lucky. I found at library. Author ramble on different subject. Making no sense . Did have some inserting facts about Phil.
July 17, 2014
Let me start by saying that I have read all of Jackson's previous books, including several others on his Bulls and Lakers squads. With that being said, there was very little in the second half of the book (which focused on his coaching days), that I had not read before. Additionally, I caught half a dozen errors by the author, particularly when reporting the details of playoff series. For instance, the author reported that Game 6 of the Lakers-Kings 2002 Western Conference Finals was played in Sacramento and Game 7 was in Los Angeles. When in fact, it was the other way around.
The first half of the book was more interesting, and frankly, didn't seem as lazy as the second half. The reader learns about Jackson as a child, college student, and young professional in New York.
Just an ok biography. More like 2.5 stars than the three I gave the book. As another reviewer mentioned, it would have improved the book dramatically if the author had been able to actually talk to Jackson. For readers looking for a truly great Jackson book (penned by the Zen Master himself) check out Sacred Hoops.
The first half of the book was more interesting, and frankly, didn't seem as lazy as the second half. The reader learns about Jackson as a child, college student, and young professional in New York.
Just an ok biography. More like 2.5 stars than the three I gave the book. As another reviewer mentioned, it would have improved the book dramatically if the author had been able to actually talk to Jackson. For readers looking for a truly great Jackson book (penned by the Zen Master himself) check out Sacred Hoops.
February 12, 2014
This is a fascinating read on one of the most successful, and most idiosyncratic, coaches in basketball history. And it is not written by Phil Jackson. Author Peter Richmond takes us on a long journey, from Phil's Pentecostal beginnings amid the copper mines in Anaconda, Montana, through his years in New York, Albany (CBA), Chicago, and finally working alongside Jack Nicholson in Los Angeles. From a young boy whose religion forbade him to dance, Jackson's journey and mental changes along the way read like a Tinseltown docudrama.
December 18, 2014
Despite a few glaring factual errors, this expands on personal perceptions of this very complicated athlete/coach/seeker. Particularly enjoyable are the observations of former teammates Jim Cleamons (who also coached with Jackson many years), Ron Harper, and Eddis Mast's widow Diane.
February 20, 2014
I loved the chapters on the New York Knicks championship years.
February 19, 2014
It was good, it could have been better. Check out my review, here.
http://planetjj.kinja.com/personal-re...
http://planetjj.kinja.com/personal-re...
January 12, 2016
An alternative perspective on Phil :) a nice companion to the other book on Phil 'Eleven Rings'
Did Not Finish
May 5, 2017I love sports. Phil Jackson is amazing and quite a character. Despite all this, I couldn't finish this boring book about him.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews