Who was more valuable to Phil Jackson, Shaq or Jordan?

[Chill_Will_24]

Which player was more important to Phil basketball wise? Sorry it's a dumb question. I am curious what people think.

I personally think Shaq was more important to his offense than was Jordan.

[xxplayerxx23]

Jordan IMO but not by much

[BleedGreen1014]

Honestly I think it was Shaq, because early on with LA, Kobe was inexperienced and not ready to carry the load. Jordan had pippen and Rodman and slew of role players who contributed greatly. In LA it was Shaq or bust IMO until Kobe got a few years under his belt.

[tripleplay2007]

Honestly I think it was Shaq, because early on with LA, Kobe was inexperienced and not ready to carry the load. Jordan had pippen and Rodman and slew of role players who contributed greatly. In LA it was Shaq or bust IMO until Kobe got a few years under his belt.

This.

[Chronz]

Nobody was more valuable than MJ offensively, perfect weapon. Defensively however, Shaq was the anchor that held everything down for them. Without MJ, the Bulls could actually play better defense.

[tredigs]

Nobody was more valuable than MJ offensively, perfect weapon. Defensively however, Shaq was the anchor that held everything down for them. Without MJ, the Bulls could actually play better defense.

You're going to have to elaborate on that, seeing as we're talking about a defensive player of the year and absolute lockdown wing defender for entire quarters at a time.

[JordansBulls]

It was MJ by a nod. Impact wise they were virtually equal at peaks, but I give MJ the edge overall for consistency and also because MJ did a lot for Phil's career. Shaq listened to Phil because of what he accomplished in Chicago.

[JasonJohnHorn]

Jordan obviously. Without Jordan Jackson wouldn't have won those first 6 rings, and without those onhis resume, no way he gets the Lakers job.

And in terms of who was more important to their respective teams, I would say Shaq and Jordan were equally important to their teams. No way either team wins the title without either of those guys on the team.

[3RDASYSTEM]

Close one

JORDAN was getting JORDAN rules preTriangle
SHAQ was getting tripleteamed before ball was passing halfcourt in the Triangle it seemed like

and everybody enters the nba inexperienced

PIPP/KOBE were developing players who panned out to be good so they cancel each other out, nor PIPP/KOBE entered the league day1 and destroyed it, JORDAN/SHAQ did

[Tony_Starks]

Kobe.

[Hellcrooner]

Neither, Jakcson relied on the COre that he constructed to fill certain needs for the system.

[Knick bag]

MJ of course. Won 6 championships. Would have won 7 if MJ had not retired the 1st time. Would have won #8 if the Bulls owner had resigned Phil & Scotty. The Lakers w/Shaq didnt win until Phil got there and the whole reason why the selected Phil in the first place was because of his success with the Jordan led Bulls teams.

[blacknell]

Jordan because without him Jackson would never be heard of

[Chronz]

You're going to have to elaborate on that, seeing as we're talking about a defensive player of the year and absolute lockdown wing defender for entire quarters at a time.

Yea but we are still talking about a SG, and with Phil, when he retired the first time, the Bulls were actually better defensively.

[ldawg]

Mj double the amount of rings Jackson had with Shaq setting him up as the second most winning coach in the history of the game. Without Mj Pippen would not have given Jackson 6 rings. It took mj a minute to win so while shaq was the focal point in the three rings he won in La is not saying Kobe could not have won later on in his prime. After all he did post some impressive numbers without shaq and went on and won two rings when jackson returned. Remember one thing Mj gave Phill his name. Shaq gave phil 3 rings to add but as the most dominant player thats not very impressive. Even without Shaq Phill would have 9 or 10.