Thursday, June 13, 2002
Jackson ties Auerbach with nine titles
The Associated Press
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Phil Jackson seemed in a daze when it was over, trying to digest his many accomplishments.
“It is remarkable that I'm sitting here in a situation I never dreamed of,” he said.
Jackson quit his job as coach of the CBA's Albany Patroons in 1987 after five years on the job, figuring he'd never become an NBA coach and graduate school might be a better direction.
Now, after his Los Angeles Lakers beat New Jersey 113-107 Wednesday night to complete a sweep of the NBA Finals, he could only shake his head.
• Jackson-coached teams have won 24 straight playoff series.
• Jackson has coached nine NBA champions to tie the record of Boston's Red Auerbach.
• Jackson-coached teams have won a record 156 playoff games — one more than Pat Riley. Jackson's teams are 156-55; Riley's teams were 155-100.
• Jackson-coached teams have won three straight championships three times. Only two other teams, the Minneapolis Lakers (1952-54) and the Boston Celtics (1959-66) have accomplished that feat.
The Chicago Bulls hired Jackson as an assistant coach to Doug Collins in 1988, and after two seasons in that role, Collins was fired and Jackson was promoted.
He won six titles in nine years as the Bulls' head coach and another three in as many years with the Lakers.
That's nine championships in 12 years.
“How fortunate I am to be here, what great teams I've had to play with, to coach with,” Jackson said. “I just look forward to the next one and great hopes that I have an anticipation of getting back here again for a 10th opportunity.”
Jackson dedicated this championship to the late Red Holzman, his coach when he played for the New York Knicks.
“I know he'd be thinking and praying for me wherever he's at and whatever form he's in,” Jackson said. “This is a big moment for me and for him.”
Jackson made special mention of 80-year-old Lakers assistant Tex Winter, who's been around for all nine championships and originated the triangle offense.
“He's a big part of what I've done,” Jackson said. “I wanted to give him a lot of credit.”
Winter has said this might be his final year in coaching.
Sports Stories
Rangers 10, Reds 4
Reds box, runs
Rose to tour new Reds park
Best hitting advice for Branyan? None at all
Reds Notebook: Maybe Friday for Griffey
A-Rod ran through stop sign to start rally
Mariners 5, Cardinals 0
Angels 8, Pirates 5
Xavier hires Notre Dame assistant as women's coach
Football all-stars play tonight
Princeton's Barnett picks Michigan St.
Loveland's Buskirk commits to Miami
CovCath meets Webster Co. in baseball semifinal
Jackson ties Auerbach with nine titles 
