Lakers to Honor Coach Phil Jackson with a Statue

Phil Jackson, who secured five of his record 11 NBA coaching titles with the Los Angeles Lakers, will receive a statue, as confirmed by the team. “Phil Jackson defines championship basketball for a reason,” stated Lakers acting governor Jeanie Buss.

The statue dedicated to Jackson will be revealed before a game in April during the 2026-27 season. He becomes the ninth individual to be immortalized in bronze at Star Plaza outside the Lakers’ Los Angeles venue.

Jeanie Buss praised Jackson’s exceptional influence on players, noting how his unique coaching style revived the Lakers’ championship legacy, resulting in five titles. She expressed joy in honoring his achievements with this statue.

Jackson, about to celebrate his 81st birthday, coached the Lakers over 11 seasons in two stints. His first period with the Lakers stretched from 1999 to 2004, followed by a stretch from 2005 to 2011.

Throughout these years, the Lakers captured five NBA championships under Jackson’s leadership. Key players like Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal drove the team to three consecutive championships, with Bryant and Pau Gasol pivotal in securing the final two titles.

Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007, Jackson is regarded as one of the NBA’s finest coaches. He also led Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls to six championships across two three-peats.

Other Lakers legends with statues outside Crypto.com Arena include Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Chick Hearn, Magic Johnson, Pat Riley, Jerry West, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kobe Bryant.

Bryant’s statues include a tribute to his daughter, Gianna Bryant.