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Phil Jackson Reveals Difference Between Michael Jordan And Kobe Bryant During Video Call With The Philadelphia Eagles
Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles have been holding off-season video conference calls featuring notable sports figures across the world to address the team and the players. In late May, their virtual meeting came extra special as they were given the chance to learn under one of the best basketball minds in Phil Jackson.
Jackson had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to coach two all-time greats in Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant during his coaching career. So when he was invited to serve as a guest to the Eagles, Jackson made sure to share some insight about his two former players. He also discussed ‘The Last Dance’ documentary and went into detail about team roles, according to Tim McManus of ESPN.
Jackson dished on the series, gave insight into the differences between Michael Jordan’s and Kobe Bryant’s approaches (Jordan rode his teammates hard and cussed them out, while Bryant set the tone by never allowing himself to be outworked) and stressed the importance of everyone on the team taking pride in their roles, no matter how big or small.
The Zen Master is one of the most, if not the most, successful coaches in NBA history. Hearing his words and inputs has a massive influence to a team standpoint, Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham revealed as much.
“[Jackson] was talking about some of the guys that went unnoticed that kind of kept them together,” Graham said. “Everybody’s got to know their role. And enjoy your role, because if we’re a team, everybody has a place and everybody has a job. Whatever job is issued to you, that’s what you’ve got to accept until things change, because injuries happen, all kind of things happen, but how you handle yourself as a teammate is very important. That’s going to translate real well to us, especially hearing it from him.”
Aside from Phil Jackson, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr also took part in the Eagles’ virtual offseason program, as well as retired Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia and Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout.
