When Phil Jackson showed up at their hotel on Friday, the Chicago Bulls had a lot of questions for him. He helped the team win six NBA championship banners at the United Center.
Torrey Craig had an important question for the Hall of Famer.
Craig jokingly asked if he could go to Vegas for two days, and his teammates laughed.
Dennis Rodman took a two-day trip to Las Vegas during the 1998 NBA playoffs. Phil Jackson grinned at the reference, and coach Donovan responded that he would allow it if Craig could rebound like Rodman.
The Bulls spent nearly two hours with Jackson during a break between games in Los Angeles and Portland. Chip Schaefer, who worked with Jackson in Chicago and Los Angeles, organized the meeting. Jackson spoke to the coaching staff first, then the players.
The meeting involved a Q&A session, allowing players to ask Jackson about his long career in the league. They were most interested in his playoff series against the Detroit Pistons and the Boston Celtics, as well as his time with players like Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Rodman.
Guard Coby White asked Jackson to compare Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Jackson said that Kobe didn't have a conscience, whereas Michael Jordan did.
White explained that Jackson basically said Jordan would be disappointed if he wasn't 50% from the field after a game, while Kobe didn't care if he went 7-for-25.
DeMar DeRozan is the only Bulls player who faced Jackson in his final days as a coach. He last saw Jackson at the funeral of Kobe and Gianna Bryant, where he witnessed an emotional reunion between Jackson and coach Popovich.
At the funeral, DeRozan was struck by the sight of Jackson and Popovich reconnecting, given their history of battles and successes. He felt honored to be in the presence of these two greats.
DeRozan was in awe of seeing Jackson and Popovich interact at the funeral. He considered it a highlight of his career to witness two basketball legends having a conversation, especially as a fan of the game.
For coach Donovan, the day was meaningful as a New York native. He grew up watching legends like Dick McGuire, Red Holzman, and Bill Fitch, whom Jackson also recalled as contemporaries.
Donovan said he has always had a lot of respect and admiration for Jackson as a coach and for his achievements with different teams. Donovan enjoys talking to people like Jackson, who have timeless knowledge about the game.
Jackson, who retired in 2011, still watches the Bulls and NBA and has also become a fan of NHL. He was equally eager to hear stories from the peak of his coaching career. He shared his thoughts on how the game has changed to favor high-scoring offenses since the 1990s.
Donovan mentioned that although Jackson often talked about the tactics of the game, his main focus was on the basics and intangible aspects of creating a winning team culture. Donovan believes that the advice and insight from Jackson are the most important and influential for the current Bulls.
Donovan said that many of the things Jackson talked about still hold true today and are timeless.
DeRozan mentioned that after spending less than an hour with Jackson, he wished they had more time with the former coach. Even the short time they had with him was inspiring.
DeRozan compared being with greats like Jackson to watching inspiring infomercials that make you want to buy the product. He emphasized how being in the presence of such greatness leaves you inspired and motivated.
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