Top 5 NBA coaches of all time

1. Phil Jackson

Honors: 11x NBA Champion, 1x Coach of the Year

Record: Regular Season 1155-485 (.704), Playoffs 229-104 (.688)

Jackson famously introduced the "Triangle" offense to the NBA. The goal of the offense is to create good spacing between players which allowed each one to pass to four teammates. Every pass and cut has a purpose and everything can be switched based on the defense.

Jackson took over the Bulls in 1989 and success soon followed. He implemented the Triangle as a way to counter the "Jordan Rules" implemented by the Pistons. The Bulls won 3 titles in a row between 1991-93 after which Jordan retired. While still competitive post-Jordan, they wouldn't win a title. With Jordan back in 1995, the Bulls won 3 in a row again between 1996-98.

He then joined the Lakers in 1999, a talented bunch unable to win a title. Again implementing the Triangle, Jackson led the Lakers to 3 titles in a row from 2000-02 with Shaq and Kobe leading the way. He then won back to back titles in 2009 and 2010.

Despite clashing heads with his players over the years, Jackson was very much liked by them. Jordan told Bulls GM, Jerry Krause, that should Jackson be let go, he'd retire. Krause would and Jordan retired.

Detractors often point out that Jackson had Jordan for his first 6 titles and Bryant for his next 5. While obviously true, it is easy to forget that neither ever won a title without him.