Phil Jackson claims relationship with Kobe Bryant soured during Lakers' success period

During Phil Jackson's coaching career with Los Angeles Lakers for 11 seasons, Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant's relationship was reported to have its ups and downs. Currently,  NBA's most successful coach, Jackson led Lakers and Bryant to five NBA Championships. Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant apparently did t get along for majority of former's time with Lakers, while some reports also blame he coach for Bryant's feud with Shaquille O'Neal. 

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Phil Jackson Lakers career: Did Kobe Bryant t like Phil Jackson?

problems between Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant reportedly existed when duo, along with Shaquille O'Neal, won three NBA Championships. Jackson h written about team's 2003-04 campaign in  Last Season: A Team in Search of Its Soul, which did t portray Kobe Bryant in a flattering light. ESPN's conversations with Jackson also show that coach revealed that while Bryant was his 'friend', he could often 'feel his hatred'.

He has referred to Bryant as 'uncoachable', which Jackson thought must have angered Bryant. Jackson revealed that Bryant wanted more freedom as well as more discipline. However, he ded that this kind of 'friction' was rmal.

When Jackson returned to Lakers for second time, he 'worked it all out' with Bryant. He gave him more freedom while Bryant stayed in triangle. He n ded that Bryant was an intelligent player and a great player. 

Bryant h also talked about Jackson in a 2016 interview, stating that he knew coach was trying to 'integrate himself with Shaq'. Lakers legend felt that Jackson taking shots at him in front of his press without talking to him first was an insult to his intelligence and wanted Jackson to come to him. Bryant also discussed Jackson manipulating media against him and did t want to deal with it anymore.

However, he ded that this was ir dynamic during team's first three championships. That time, y played toger but h interaction with each or. Bryant wanted to have more leeway and was unhappy that Jackson thought he was selfish.

As per Bryant, he could have moved to ar team and averd 35 points per game but chose Lakers to win more championships. Bryant ded that whole situation was 'very mdening'. 

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Phil Jackson on Kobe and Jordan

During a 2016 interview, Jackson discussed Bryant putting on a show for Michael Jordan. Jordan was in stands and Jackson h told his coaches that Bryant was showing him who he is. While talking to Real Sports, he revealed that he was right and that part about Kobe Bryant irritated him. Jackson stated that game needed to be respected and he felt Bryant sometimes went off edge to show someone how good he was. 

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re were also rumours that Jackson was one who began Bryant-O'Neal feud. Robert Horry, who played for Lakers, h stated that Jackson h indeed started feud. After practice, Jackson used to talk wrong things about each or to both of m. Horry said that team could t believe it as both of m were friendly last time y saw each or.

As per Horry, Jackson apparently needed some kind of 'conflict' in team. Jackson's interference was also reported to be a reason why his relationship with Bryant soured. After Kobe Bryant's tragic death in January, Jackson h talked to Bleacher Report about his relationship with Bryant. He h stated that Bryant was a 'chosen one' and was special to many people. Jackson believed that ir relationship as a coach and player 'transcended rm'. 

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