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NBA: Best player and coach pairing from each team’s history

By Tony Pesta

LOS ANGELES - MARCH 2: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs talks with head coach Gregg Popovich during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 2, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The Spurs won 106-78. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES - MARCH 2: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs talks with head coach Gregg Popovich during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 2, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The Spurs won 106-78. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Best coach/player pairing in Los Angeles Lakers history: Phil Jackson & Kobe Bryant

The Zen Master, Phil Jackson, makes his second appearance on the list as his time with Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers was too memorable to omit.

Jackson and Bryant grew a special connection over the years. With the help of Shaquille O’Neal, Jackson and Bryant delivered a three-peat to Los Angeles. When Shaq abruptly left the franchise following a feud with Bryant, Jackson remained to weather the storm and focus Bryant’s anger.

Using Jackson’s guidance, Kobe used the motivation of losing Shaq to become a legend on his own. Bryant had a phenomenal two-year stretch, winning the MVP award in 2008 by averaging 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game.

Even with Bryant at his peak, the Lakers were defeated by the Boston Celtics in the 2008 NBA Finals. This is when Kobe took his game to astronomical levels, reaching a point that not many players are capable of.

Fully obsessed with winning, Bryant focused his energy into reaching the NBA Finals again in 2009. This time, nothing would stop him as he averaged 32.4 points and 7.4 assists per game to beat the Orlando Magic in five for the title.

The Lakers weren’t done yet. Reaching the Finals for a third season in a row, the Lakers had a chance to redeem themselves against the Celtics in 2010. Through six games, it was a stalemate. Heading into Game 7, the Lakers knew they needed to get dirty if they wanted to walk away victorious.

Neither team shot the ball well in Game 7. Boston shot 40.8 percent from the field while the Lakers connected on just 32.5 percent of their attempts. However, the difference was, the Lakers dominated the boards.

Pau Gasol led everyone with a game-high 18 rebounds while Bryant hauled in 15 of his own. LA beat Boston 53-40 on the rebounds and prevailed in a tight Game 7 for the ages. Bryant once again won the Finals MVP award.

This stretch proved that Bryant was more than a sidekick and deserves his spot on the all-time greats list. As for Jackson, his 13th career championship solidified him as the most successful coach in NBA history.