Phil Jackson would take Bill Russell over Michael Jordan



Phil Jackson, while not actively in the NBA, hasn't really left the news since he retired. He's recently been appearing in headlines talking about coaching offers, the Lakers and his new book eleven rings. Recently, Jackson was interviewed by TIME and asked who he would chose to start a team with.


A compliment paid from one guy with eleven championship rings to another. Of course, Russell led the dominant Celtics of the '50s and '60s to 11 championships including eight straight. Russell is the most successful player in sports history in that regard, something Jackson who holds that honor as a coach, clearly respects.

SI:
“In my estimation, the guy that has to be there would be Bill Russell. He has won 11 championships as a player,” Jackson said in an interview with Time. “That’s really the idea of what excellence is, when you win championships.”