2009 NBA Finals Phil Jackson Last Hooray with Lakers? Phil Jackson, also known as the “Zen Master”, is arguably the best coach in the history of the National Basketball Association. As the Los Angeles Lakers prepare to win the 15th NBA Championship in the franchise’s history, many questions will linger during these 2009 NBA Finals.
By far the most intriguing question of them all is, will Jackson retire should he win his 10th NBA Championship? Which of course would make him No.1 in the NBA’s all-time list, finally getting passed the legendary Red Auerbach. "It's just about this year, not about the 10th," Jackson stated. "One for each finger and two thumbs," the Zen Master joked about the possibility of finally winning #10. 
This is no joke: according to 2009 NBA Finals Odds makers at SportsBook.com, the Los Angeles Lakers [-260 ML], have been listed as the early favorites to win their 15th NBA Championship by defeating the underdog Orlando Magic [+210 ML] in this series.
So why would he retire now?
Jackson, who turns 64 in September, has been very hesitant to sign on the dotted line to assure a comeback to coach the Lakers next season.
The Hall of Famer has undergone two hip replacement surgeries since October 2006. For a few years he’s been forced to use a special highchair to be able to coach on the sidelines and has been seen using a cane on various occasions.
Furthermore, he missed two road games this season because of pain and swelling in his lower legs caused by plantar fasciitis. "It always comes down to health with him," former Laker/assistant coach and (in my opinion) Jackson successor, Kurt Rambis said. "I don't think he views his career as over now."
According to coach Jackson, late-night flights aggravated his condition, as he plans to have doctors check him out after the end of the 2009 NBA Finals. But nevertheless, he has enjoyed watching this team grow from pretenders to contenders.
"I came back at the behest of the Buss family to coach this team back into playoff contention," Jackson said. "Every night we give ourselves a chance to win. So that's been really the blessing of coming back and having this opportunity again, to see this team come out from the ashes and become again a dominant team in the league."
Of the current Lakers roster, Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher have played the longest for coach Jackson. According to Bryant, he tries his best not to think about a future without the man that made him and guided him into the player he is today.
"I just try to focus on the task at hand, which was one of the things that he's taught us all," Bryant said. "I'm just honored to be coached by the best coach of all time. It would be a tremendous honor to be on the team that can get him that 10th championship."
Coach Jackson currently has a regular season record of 1,041 wins 435 losses, that’s a winning percentage of 70.5%. On the postseason, the Zen Master holds a mark of 205-90, a winning percentage of 69.5%. That’s of course throughout his career with the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Here’s another stat to keep in mind for Game 1 of the 2009 NBA Finals: when Phil Jackson wins Game 1 of any playoff series, he is 43-0.
