Phil Jackson reveals NBA’s WOKENESS made him quit watching league in 2020

Phil Jackson, the Hall of Fame coach who led the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers to a record 11 NBA titles, has lost interest in watching basketball because of the league’s political activism.

Jackson shared his views on the NBA’s social justice initiatives during the 2019-20 season, which was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the nationwide protests following the killing of George Floyd, in a podcast interview with music producer Rick Rubin.

“I am not enjoying the game, that’s too bad. There’s a whole generation that doesn’t like the game. No, I don’t (watch basketball). I watched the game evolve and then they went into the lockout year and did something that was kind wanky, they did a bubble down in Orlando. All the teams that could qualify went down there and stayed down there, no audience, and they have things on their back like ‘Justice’ and a funny thing happened like ‘Justice went to the basket and Equal Opportunity knocked him down’… Some of my grandkids thought it was pretty funny to play up those names, I couldn’t watch that. The Lakers won that year…” said Jackson

He goes on to add, “They even had slogans on the floor and the baseline. It was trying to cater to an audience or trying to bring a certain audience to the game and they didn’t know it was turning other people off. People want to see sports as non-political… Politics stays out of the game, it doesn’t need to be there.”

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Phil Jackson: A Controversial Legacy in NBA History

Jackson, 75, is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in NBA history. He coached some of the most iconic players of all time, such as Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and Pau Gasol. He is known for his use of Tex Winter’s triangle offense as well as a holistic approach to coaching that was influenced by Eastern philosophy and Native American mysticism, earning him the nickname “Zen Master”. He is also the author of several books about his teams and his basketball strategies.

However, Jackson has also faced criticism for some of his views and actions over the years and has been accused of being arrogant, manipulative, insensitive, and out of touch with the current generation of players and fans. He has also faced backlash for his controversial comments on topics such as race, religion, sexuality, and politics.

In 2017, he was fired as the president of basketball operations for the New York Knicks after a disastrous tenure that included feuding with star player Carmelo Anthony and drafting bust Kristaps Porzingis. In 2019, he also admitted that he smoked marijuana during his playing days with the Knicks.

Jackson’s latest remarks on the NBA’s wokeness may further alienate him from some fans and players who support the league’s efforts to promote social justice and diversity. However, he may also find some sympathizers who share his nostalgia for a less politicized era of basketball.

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