By D. Biderman (dmiles21ebrand42)

The opinions below are those of this fan, not this site

Phil Jackson, better known as the "Zen Master," has won an amazing eight championship rings throughout his career in the NBA. However, some people may ask whether or not his success is due to his knowledge of the game, luck, or both.

The powerful triangle offense that he has used with both the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers shows that he definitely understands how the game works. Not to mention, his ability to tame some of the best players of all time (Shaquille O'neal, Michael Jordan). He has turned these guys into team players that know when to share the ball, and when to take the big shots down the stretch of a game.

However, it has been his ability to motivate players with some of his "mind games" that has gained him so much respect as a coach. This same asset is also the characteristic that has raised some controversy over whether or not his "mind games" are well-thought out plans, or real fights that have luckily been resolved to work out better for the team's sake.

Recently, after a Game 2 loss to the San Antonio Spurs in Los Angeles, Phil Jackson had some choice words to say about Shaq's recent game play. "I had a heated conversation with Shaq, actually, about getting actively involved in chasing the ball down. Shaq is, you know, I wanted to stimulate him and I wanted to motivate him to the fact we need him to play at a really active level. If it's 30 minutes, I want a more active 30 minutes. If in a 40-minute game he's going to get seven rebounds, I'd rather have him play 30 minutes and get 12 or 13 rebounds."

This was yet another "heated conversation" that Jackson had with one of his two all-stars during his time with the Lakers. He also had many of these same types of talks with Michael Jordan when coaching the Chicago Bulls. Some fans might say that these talks are what makes him such a great coach. But, at the same time, Larry Brown and George Karl are constantly criticized when they do the same thing with their franchise players.

What separates Phil Jackson from coaches like [Larry] Brown and [George] Karl? Well, not much besides eight rings. However, these eight rings raise some controversy with basketball analysts as well. Jackson has never had to coach a team without a lack of talent, and has always been surrounded with a great supporting cast of experienced assistant coaches, and intelligent, wealthy front office members.

Jackson has never had to attempt to coach a team that is not loaded with talent. Unlike coaches such as Byron Scott, Nate McMillan, Gregg Poppovich, and Rick Carlisle who have taken teams with few talented players and made them into powerhouse clubs of the league. Granted, Jackson has never had the opportunity to complete such a task, many people say that if he had the chance, he wouldn't be able to do it.

Chances are that he will probably never get the chance to prove the pessimists wrong however. Considering the fact that his coaching contract ends in two years and he has said many times before that after his contract is up, his career will be as well.

It is too bad that Jackson will more than likely end up retiring without the chance to prove the nay-sayers wrong. However, there is no doubt that he will end up in the hall-of-fame. Not to mention, if he wins the championship again this year, he will hold the record for most rings won as a coach. He will have just barely edged out the amazing Red Auerbach, who won eight in his career.

Maybe one last ring will be enough to show people that he isn't just a guy who gets lucky, and that he is after all, a very talented head coach.