HOOPS MAGAZINE Jun. 2013 | Page 11

Eventoday, thereisnofixeddefinition ofaphenomenalNBAcoach. Despitetheambiguitysurroundingthetitle, theNBA has deemed many coaches who encompas elementsofleadership, motivation, proficiency, andstrategicplanningtovaryingdegrees, aslegendaryteachersoftheirtime. These coaches, knowntohavebeenmenofdiferent backgrounds, have time and time again proventheirgoodnatureintheeyesofoficials, players, and fans alike. Below are achievements, andtechniquesoftwoNBA coacheswhoaredebatablythebestamong al. Basketbalcoachesofallevelsshould take note ofthe tactics, techniques, and philosophiesthatdistinguishthesecoaches from therest. PhilJackson

Intheeyesofmany, PhilJackson’ s uniquecoachingstylehasearnedhim the titleof“ theZenMaster”. Jackson, whoinitiallystartedhisNBAcoachingcareerwiththe ChicagoBulsin1987, didn’ tearnaspotwith theLosAngelesLakersuntillateroninhis career. Whilewiththeteam, Jacksonwon11 championshipsofwhichthreewererepeatedlywon( three-peat). Additionaly, whilewith the Lakers, Jackson coached personalities such asMichaelJordan, DennisRodman, KobeBryant, and ShaquileO’ Neil, alof whom are familiar household names in CanadaandAmerica.
WhatdistinguishesJacksonfrom majorityofcoachesisthathedemandsrespect. His personality, whethergenuineorcontrived, wholeheartedlyfulfilstheroleofaleader. Additionaly, unlike many other coaches, Jacksoningrainsprinciplesofmentaltrainingwithinteam andindividualdrils. He’ s popularlyknownforensuringthathisteam meditatebeforehitingthecourts. Manyhave alsonoticedJackson’ sendlespatiencewith players. Instead ofinstructed ataltimes,
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Jackson alowed playerstomakesenseof thingsontheirown. RedAuerbach
RedAuerbach, knownpopularlyforhis timewiththeBostonCeltics, beganhiscoachingcareerfolowingcolegeatahighschool in Washington, D. C. Itwasn’ tuntilafter coachingtheWashingtonCapitalsandAtlantaHawksthatAuerbackfoundhisnichewith theBostonCeltics.
WhilewiththeCeltics, Auerbach, along withhisteam won16NBA titles. Underhis direction, theteam rosetosuccesandis reportedtohavewonastartling67 % oftheir games. PlayerssuchasLarryBirdandBil Rusel, bothhighlyregardedasprominent playersoftheirtime, flourishedunderhis guidance.
Auerbach’ scoachingstyle, onewhich wasuncluteredandguidedbytherulesof simplicity, provedtobeexceptional. Hewas prevalentlyknown foralowing playersto playunreservedly, wiselyemployingunique strategies when injuries were prevalent amongplayers, anddevelopingonlyafew, butnonetheles, strongfundamentals. This perhapsexplainswhyplayersfosteredunder hiscarelaterbecamemonumentalfigures.