The Lakers' continue to honor their legends. Following the announcement of Pat Riley's upcoming statue outside Crypto.com Arena, NBA insider Marc Stein reports that Phil Jackson is also in line for the same recognition – a fitting tribute for the coach who guided the franchise to five championships.
With Riley's statue planned for 2026 and Michael Cooper's No. 21 jersey retirement on the horizon, the Lakers are clearly in a mood to celebrate the architects of their dynasty eras. Jackson's numbers speak for themselves: a franchise-record 610 wins against just 292 losses, five championships, and seven Finals appearances across two stints. But his impact on the franchise extends far beyond his impressive stats.
The Zen Master's influence on the Lakers' culture was transformative. As Jeanie Buss recently recalled, Jackson understood that championship teams needed more than just talent – they needed family-like bonds. His seemingly controversial decision to hold practice on Thanksgiving wasn't about denying players time off; it was about reinforcing that the team was their second family.
Jackson's Lakers tenure splits perfectly into two championship eras. First came the three-peat with Kobe and Shaq from 2000-2002, a run that established the Lakers' dominance in the new millennium. Then, after a brief hiatus, he returned to lead Kobe's Lakers to two more titles in 2009 and 2010, proving his system could adapt and thrive with completely different personnel.
While the exact timeline for Jackson's statue remains under wraps, its unveiling will represent a celebration of an era when the Lakers weren't just winning championships – they were redefining what basketball could be. The Zen Master's statue will stand as a permanent reminder that sometimes the greatest victories come from building something bigger than the game itself.
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This story was originally published December 9, 2024, 1:51 PM.