National Basketball Association

Phil Jackson Wasn't Jerry Reinsdorf's First Hall Of Fame Choice

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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New York Knicks team president Phil Jackson wasn’t Jerry Reinsdorf’s first choice to be the presenter at his Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

From 1989 to 1998, Phil Jackson led the most dominant unit since Red Auerbach coached the Boston Celtics. Though it’s the players who get the credit, it was Jackson who coached Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen to all six of their NBA championships.

Despite the undeniably invaluable leadership that Jackson brought to Chicago, it wasn’t he whom Jerry Reinsdorf wanted to present him at his Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

According to K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune, Jackson and Pippen weren’t Reinsdorf’s top choices to be his Hall of Fame presenters.

Jackson and Scottie Pippen will present Reinsdorf on Friday before he will make a speech he said won’t “go on interminably long.” He asked Michael Jordan to be there but the Hornets‘ owner had a previous commitment. The Bulls Hall of Famer wrote a letter to Hall officials endorsing Reinsdorf’s candidacy.

“It’s very cordial, a good relationship,” Reinsdorf said of his longtime star. “It never has been a strained relationship.”

It’s hard to blame Reinsdorf, but his contingency plan wasn’t exactly lackluster.

Michael Jordan is widely regarded as the greatest player in league history. He spent the first 13 seasons of his NBA career with Reinsdorf’s Chicago Bulls.

During that time, Jordan led Chicago to six NBA championships and won five MVP awards, 10 scoring titles, and the 1988 Defensive Player of the Year award.

Greatness.

Jackson, meanwhile, was the head coach for all six of the Bulls’ championship runs. Pippen was Jordan’s right-hand man during all six of those title reigns, earning seven All-NBA selections.

For their efforts, both Jackson and Pippen are currently in the Hall of Fame.

Jackson and Pippen may not have been Reinsdorf’s first choices, but he should feel honored to know that two of the greatest individuals in NBA history came through for him.