Published 19:08 IST, April 27th 2020

Why did Phil Jackson leave the Bulls? Jackson comes into limelight post The Last Dance

Why did Phil Jackson leave the Bulls after 1998? With eleven championships under his name, Phil Jackson is currently the most successful NBA head coach.

Reported by: Devika Pawar
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With 11 championships under his name, Phil Jackson is currently most successful NBA he coach. He won six championships for Chicago Bulls and five for Los Angeles Lakers. As Jackson coached Bulls for around a dece, his departure caused fans to ask - 'Why did Phil Jackson leave Bulls?'

Also re | Jerry Krause death: How did former Chicago Bulls GM Jerry Krause die?

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Why did Phil Jackson leave Bulls? Phil Jackson coaching career with Bulls

Jackson started coaching Bulls as an assistant coach in 1987 before he was promoted to he coach position in 1989. Jackson led Bulls to two three-peats in nine years and me it to playoffs every year. Under Jackson, team failed to win only three times, which included years Jordan spent in retirement. Jackson's three-peats were a first after Boston Celtics won 8 back-to-back championships from 1959-66. However, by 1997-98 season, Jackson relationship with GM Jerry Krause has soured. Here is exactly why did Phil Jackson leave Bulls after 1997-98 campaign.

Also re | Who was Jerry Krause? Did Bulls GM's feud with Michael Jordan le to team's break up?

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Phil Jackson coaching career: Why did Phil Jackson leave Bulls in 1998?

To answer 'Why did Phil Jackson leave Bulls?' question, one doesn't need to look furr than multiple media reports and Michael Jordan's Last Dance. Jerry Krause was unhappy with credit Jackson h been receiving about Bulls championships and felt underappreciated. Some reports even hinted that Krause believed Jackson was indebted to him for giving him his first coaching job. If t for Jerry Krause, Jackson might t have been a part of Bulls in first place.

documentary showed that Krause was fond of Jackson at first, but started resenting him later. During 1997 summer, Jackson was only one t invited to Krause's step-daughter's wedding. This included n he coach at Iowa State, who would later take over Jackson's place. 

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According to reports, Krause wanted him gone before 1997-98 season. However, Jordan only wanted to play with Jackson. Krause signed Jackson for a year while making it clear that he would be gone next year. Jackson h n asked Krause if he was on or side. Krause replied by telling Jackson that it doesn't matter if team went 82-0 that season, Jackson would still have to leave. As per Jackson, that was last time he and Krause properly interacted during his last season with Bulls. 

Also re | Is Swackhammer in Jam inspired by Jerry Krause? Last Dance has fans wondering

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Phil Jackson coaching career with Lakers

After his last season with Bulls, Jackson stated that he would t return as an NBA coach. However, he returned to coach Lakers a year later. Jackson coached Lakers till 2004 and anunced his departure four days after Lakers loss to Detroit Pistons. Jackson returned to team in 2005, winning m two more championships in 2009 and 2010. Fans also ask – 'Did Phil Jackson coach Knicks?'. While Jackson was drafted by  New York Knicks during NBA Draft second draft in 1967, he has never coached team. 

Also re | When Michael Jordan fired back at Jerry Krause for 'Organisations win championships' claim

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Is Phil Jackson native American? Why do people ask 'Is Phil Jackson native American?'

Jackson frequently used Native American spiritual practices, which why people often asked 'Is Phil Jackson native American?'. While Jackson is American, he utilizes various 'American Indian qualities of leership'. American Indian College Fund has also hored Jackson at ir annual gala. Jackson's colleague Bill Brley h been one to accept award.

Before playing for NBA, both Brley and Jackson has conducted a basketball clinic on Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, which enabled m to incorporate ir leership techniques and philosophies y learnt into ir careers. Jackson has also talked about this in his book – Sacred Hoops: Spiritual Lessons of a Hardwood Warrior.

19:08 IST, April 27th 2020