A bronze figure of Phil Jackson will soon stand outside Crypto.com Arena, marking his five‑title run with the Lakers. Can a statue capture his Zen mastery?
The unveiling is set for April 9, just before the Lakers host the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Lakers governor Jeanie Buss praised Jackson, saying his visionary coaching unlocked the best in legends and restored a championship tradition that will inspire generations.
Jackson joins Kareem Abdul‑Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Kobe Bryant, Chick Hearn, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Pat Riley and Jerry West on Star Plaza, where the franchise honors its icons.
He guided two distinct eras to glory—three straight titles with Shaq and Kobe (2000‑02) and two more with Bryant and Pau Gasol (2009‑10). In my view, his blend of mindfulness and tactics redefined coaching.
Overall, Jackson reached the NBA Finals seven times with Los Angeles and added six Bulls championships, totaling an NBA‑record 11 titles as a head coach. Chicago has yet to commission a statue for him.
Buss and Jackson began dating after his hire, got engaged in 2013 and called it off in 2016. Will the Lakers continue expanding Star Plaza with new legends in the coming years?