Hall-Reppens in Singapore: Coach Phil Jackson at the Chicago Athletic Club

On the Friday before Memorial Day, Marquette University participated in a luncheon at the Chicago Athletic Club at which former Bulls and Lakers coach, Phil Jackson, discussed his new book, Eleven Rings. Rick Kogan of the Chicago Tribune asked him questions that had been submitted from the audience. Phil talked about his coaching philosophies, the teams, and his relationships with Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.

The audience got a sense that his relationship with Michael was closer than his relationship with Kobe. First of all, he met Michael before he was a "Superstar". He was able to instill in Michael the idea that the best NBA players were able to bring their teammates up to their level. Although he was often an unsung hero, Scottie Pippen benefitted greatly by playing with Jordan.

With Kobe, Phil Jackson was shocked when Kobe got married when the Lakers were in the playoffs. Kobe was young, handsome, and an NBA superstar. All of those qualities do not bode well for marriage. Unfortunately, many female fans are willing to do whatever it takes to get the attention of NBA players, especially superstars. When Kobe was accused of date rape, Phil's relationship with him came close to a breaking point. Phil's daughter had been the victim of date rape, and Phil knew what the accuser was going through. He tried to adopt the team position, and give Kobe the benefit of the doubt, and that he was innocent until proven guilty. But from the time of that accusation, Phil and Kobe had a working relationship only. Phil's only concern was what was best for the Lakers Basketball Team. If Kobe was best for the team, Phil would play him. If Kobe's off court pressures were taking a toll on his play, Phil would sit him. Phil said that it was the hardest season he ever endured.

Seeing Phil Jackson, I was struck by his intelligence and candor. When he was the Chicago Bulls coach, the Chicago papers liked to report on the different books that he gave team members to read. Sometimes he would give the whole team a certain book, or sometimes he would give a specific player a certain book that he hoped would give insights to make the player better. His love of books is apparent in his writing. The other things that I noticed when I saw him was just how tall he is, and how difficult it is for him to walk. He is a former NBA player. He played on the New York Knicks during their championship seasons of 1970 and 1973. He suffered a severe back injury in December of 1968, that required his back to be fused. I don't know if it was that injury, or knee problems, or ankle problems, or all of the above, but Phil Jackson walked with great difficulty.

After the luncheon concluded, Erin and I headed out to Downtown Chicago. It was a crisp, clear day, and Chicago looked beautiful. I took some pictures that I could look upon if I got homesick in Singapore.