Apr 2, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Phil Jackson (left) and Jeannie Buss stand with Los Angeles Lakers former player Shaquille O'Neal as his jersey is retired during a half time ceremony during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Jeanie Buss Confused By Phil Jackson’s Coaching Methods

Originally posted on Los Angeles Lakers on SI
By Alex Kirschenbaum | Last updated Aug 2, 2024 12:01 PM ET

Five-time title-winning former Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson may be known as the "Zen Master," but he may have been a bit more intense than his reputation and nickname might suggest.

During a fresh interview with ESPN's Hannah Storm on her podcast "NBA DNA With Hannah Storm," Buss unpacked some tense conversations with her former beau.

Lakers Governor @JeanieBuss talks about how Phil Jackson built a family dynamic between @Shaq, Kobe, and his legendary 3-Peat teams from 00-02, on the new #NBADNA with @HannahStormESPN. @NBAHistory @Lakers https://t.co/eDSFK5byOf pic.twitter.com/DN0guiCxsb
— iHeartPodcasts (@iHeartPodcasts) July 16, 2024

"I dated Phil for 15 years, so when I was his significant other, I learned how to look at the team through the lens of a coach," Buss said. "I remember getting in a fight with him because he was bringing the team in on Thanksgiving to practice."

"I'm like, 'Why are you doing this? Give them a day off.' He's like, 'Settle down. Jeanie, what I'm trying to show them by having them practice on Thanksgiving (is) I wanted to establish that this is their family as well.' And you have to be with your family on a holiday and that's powerful. When a coach can harness that and create that family dynamic, then you know you have something really special."

That's an interesting approach.

This article first appeared on FanNation All Lakers and was syndicated with permission.

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