Phil Jackson -- Greatest Basketball Coach of All Time?

This is a tough question. By the objective standard of playoff appearances, playoff wins, playoff win percentages, and Titles, it would seem a no-brainer.

So, why the question?

Because of who he coached, of course. He won six with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pipen, the greatest player of all time (according to most) and one of the top 50 greatest players of all time.

He won three with Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, two of the top 50 greatest players of all time.

He won this last one with Kobe Bryant, but didn't win it until he had assembled a team with one of the best centers in the game (Pau Gasol) and a 6th man forward who would be a starter on any other team (Lamar Odom).

But, the same is true of Red Auerbach. He had more than his share of top 50 all-time players (Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, Sam Jones.)

The same is true of Pat Riley and his six rings. He had Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and James Worthy.

Seems it's hard to be in the discussion for "best coach of all time" without having a fistful of "best players of all time," doesn't it?

In fact, a review of the rosters of the Finals winners over the history of the NBA is almost a recitation of the names of the top 50 players of all time. And, when multiple titles are won, you see multiple players who are in the top 50 players of all time (and/or ones who are certainly the best of their era).

Deeper review shows that winners of the NBA finals are almost entirely teams with a dominant big man -- one of the top 50 players of all time -- Bill Russell, Bill Walton, Shaquille O'Neal, Wilt Chamberlain, Robert Parish, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, Tim Duncan, and George Mikan.

This theme, multiple titles won by a coach with a handful of all-time greats along with a dominant big man, is quite consistent throughout NBA history.

Except for Phil Jackson's SIX without a memorable big man.

Red had Russell. Riley had Jabbar. Phil had Horace Grant and Luc Longley.

Each had fistfuls of all-time greats (two or more) on their teams. But ONLY Phil was able to win multiple titles (six) WITHOUT a dominant big man.

For me, that settles the question.

Lakers Win....

Sigh.

Shaq going to Cleveland? LeBron said to be in tears.

Tears of joy, of anticipation, that is.

Shaquille O'Neal looked great last year, having his best year since leaving Miami and Dwayne Wade. He has a couple of good years left in him where he can be one of the top two or three dominant big men in the game.

LeBron James is, without question, one of the top three players in the game today. (Kobe Bryant and Dwayne Wade being the other two, if you were confused...)

With Shaquille O'Neal, LeBron James has a big man to play the game as LeBron James is built to play it -- inside out and outside in -- and a big man who is both willing and able to fulfill his role at the highest level. (Shaquille O'Neal is one of the best passing big men in the game.)

Will the trade go through? I think so. Phoenix needs the cap room and Shaquille O'Neal never really fit into the gesalt of the Suns to begin with. And, if Cleveland wants LeBron James to be a Cleveland Cavalier after next year when his contract runs out, they must win NOW. Lebron wants it; Shaq wants it; the Suns need the cap room; Cleveland needs a dominant inside force.

All the stars are aligned -- full speed ahead!