Phil Jackson Recalls The Time He Spent With John Wooden

Phil Jackson reveals how he would change college basketball and recalls time he spent with the late John Wooden.

[@paulmeier2563]

Phil with the great John Wooden. Two of the greatest coaches in sports history.

[@b.miller4998]

Phil Jackson the "Ego Whisperer"

[@WeCube1898]

A great coach learning from great coaches. Phil Jackson learning from Tex Winter and John Wooden.

[@frankr2584]

I agree 2 years of college should be the norm. Better player development, not just from a skill perspective but from a brand perspective. Back in the day players built their brand in college which created excitement and anticipation for them in the league. It doesn't exist today. I dont even know who the hell any of these kids are in the draft nowadays

[@futurehofer1564]

You didnt know who Zion was? Lol

[@MrRocky27271]

Why are sports and education intertwined in any way whatsoever ? I believe you go to school, or you have a job playing basketball, football, etc. Not both.

[@stoddard1953]

@@futurehofer1564 Zion didn't create a brand. Most college players nowadays do fly under the radar by the average person because nobody knows about them. Everyone knew Michael Jordan. Magic Johnson. Hell, even Christian Laettner.

[@josephweston3414]

Glad he said that about pro athletes in the college system

[@ramonazteca252]

i can boil it down to the essence. you hope/want/expect people to do their best, that's all.

[@chrisdell5679]

I've always wondered what Phil thought of college basketball. I grew up a Bulls 90s-fan and a Duke-90s fan and would listen to many interviews from Phil Jackson and Coach K. They never once referenced the other when they were referencing other coaches in different mediums of play. I figure perhaps there is mutual disagreement.

[@Robe7783]

You can say what you like but what he says is the truth. “ One and done “ is actually old terminology now. You have kids, 16-17-18 signing with private professional leagues ( Overtime Elite ). These kids/parents signing contracts worth a lot of money before some graduating from high school. Life continues on much longer then 25-35 years old. The NCAA is now allowing college athletes to financially accept payment for playing sports for a university. Some universities which provided full scholarships to them. Slap in the face to the students who take out loans for academics and our not being paid to be a student! This is why there are “ student athletes” not “ athlete students”.

[@randysandberg5615]

The most important things a championship coach needs is to have the BEST players in the world! Coach Wooden had it and so did Phil Jackson. You have to be a bad coach to screw up talent.

[@BangTaoBeach]

Coach Wooden's players were also extremely successful in life outside of basketball. They also loved the man and stayed in contact until his death. You don't know very much do you?

[@randysandberg5615]

@@BangTaoBeach You have missed my point. I know his players are successful outside of basketball. I said you have to have GREAT players to win a Championship. Coach Wooden had great players and possibly the best two centers all-time in Walton and Jabbar.

[@CastellderocamoraRESTAURANT]

@@randysandberg5615 but he won with no stars in their team too not every time he had this two great players. I don't remember how many championships wooden had but he had more of nine and Walton and the Louis Alcindor spend only 6 years on College

[@stever1791]

@@CastellderocamoraRESTAURANT Those other years he had Gail goodrich and Walt Hazzard in the backcourt. then again Goodrich with Edgar Lacy ( the #! High School Recruit ) and Mike Lynn and Washington - Wicks < Patterson. Bibiby and Rowe to follow those stars - Wooden also had Sam Gilbert help with his recruiting. Wooden Had Talent

[@lopezmt5]

Phil Jackson is a great coach, but he really didn’t understand Coach Wooden. Coach Wooden was a deeply religious man. Coach Wooden saw himself first as a teacher. But a teacher of what? It wasn’t just basketball, he taught them about life. Humility, integrity, honesty, doing your best, etc. The Pyramid of Success was about being a better person, which could translate itself in basketball. All of his players consistently said that what he taught them transcended basketball and was applicable to every area of their life. The closest person you will find in this century like him was Mr. Roger’s; who also saw himself as a teacher first and foremost, not a TV personality. He taught kindness, humility and grace. He taught that everyone was important and valuable. Phil will never understand Coach Wooden.

[@futurehofer1564]

Phil is close minded when it comes to this subject, some players are simply ready for the league and even those that arent should have the right to try and do whatever they want, why would you force people to spend years in college if they dont want to? Just let ppl leave whenever they want, a great coach should properly advise his players and help them make the best decision for themselves

[@JulioLeonFandinho]

there are some things that comes with age and experience, that's not being closed minded at all