This month’s book review is ‘Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success’ by legendary basketball coach, Phil Jackson.
Phil is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in NBA history, not just for his tactical brilliance but also for his ability to inspire and unify players. His career is a testament to the power of teamwork, adaptability, and the pursuit of excellence beyond just winning.
In the National Basketball Association (NBA), a championship ring is awarded to members of the team that win the annual NBA Finals. Rings are presented to the team’s players and coaches, and as you may have guessed by the book’s title, Phil has won 11 of those rings. However, it does have to be said that the rings themselves are rather garish for their design and size for my liking!
Jackson was a basketball player and picked up 2 rings (separate to the 11 as a coach) as a player for the New York Knicks.
His coaching breakthrough came in 1987 when he joined the Chicago Bulls as an assistant coach and in 1989, he was promoted to head coach, beginning one of the most successful coaching tenures in NBA history.
Whilst this book is clearly about basketball, it is a lot more than that with thoughts and learnings on many areas that transend sport including people management, ego management, tactics and rebuilding teams. It also includes learnings and the use of areas which would have not been the norm back in the 90s and 2000s, such as unity and mindfulness. However, there is still quite a bit of basketball in there!!
Blending memoir, leadership lessons, and philosophy, Jackson recounts his journey to winning the 11 championships, sharing stories about the players he coached, the challenges he faced, and the unique methods that set him apart.
Jackson guided the Chicago Bulls to six championships during the 1990s. He developed and implemented the ‘triangle offense’ a team-centric strategy that maximised the talents of superstars Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen while elevating the performance of the rest of the team. His ability to manage egos and foster unity was critical to the Bulls’ dominance in that time.
After a brief break, Jackson then joined the Los Angeles Lakers, where he orchestrated another dynasty. With Shaq O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, the Lakers won three consecutive championships. Following Shaq’s departure, Jackson returned to the team again and led a rebuilt Lakers squad to back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010, cementing his legacy.
Jackson’s approach to leadership is anything but conventional. Known for his Zen-inspired methods, he emphasises mindfulness, unity, and selflessness as his pillars of success. He recounts the transformative impact of introducing meditation and visualisation techniques to his teams, fostering focus and cohesion. This is commonplace now, but wasn’t at the time.
The book is filled with behind-the-scenes stories that reveal his ability to manage the NBA’s brightest stars. One particularly compelling story involves Michael Jordan. Early in Jackson’s time with the Bulls, he convinced Jordan to trust his teammates more, which was not something Jordan found easy —a lesson illustrated during Game 5 of the 1991 NBA Finals. Instead of taking the shot himself, Jordan passed to John Paxson, who hit the crucial shot. This moment symbolized the team’s shift from relying solely on Jordan’s brilliance to embracing a team-first mentality.
Another memorable story comes from Jackson’s time coaching the Los Angeles Lakers during the early 2000s. The infamous rivalry between Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant threatened to derail the team, even as they dominated the league. Jackson recounts how he used his calm demeanor and mediation skills to keep the duo focused on their shared goal. Despite the tension, the team won three consecutive championships from 2000 to 2002.
Jackson’s creativity in motivating players shines throughout the book. For example, during the Bulls’ 1996 season—one of the greatest seasons in NBA history—he gave each player a book tailored to their personality and struggles. For the eccentric Dennis Rodman, Jackson chose Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, hoping to channel Rodman’s chaotic energy into something purposeful. Rodman’s stellar performance that season proved the approach worked.
Another memorable moment comes from the Lakers’ 2009 playoff run. To motivate the team, Jackson read them passages from The Art of War by Sun Tzu, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and patience. The team embraced these lessons, leading to their victory over the Orlando Magic in the NBA Finals.
Jackson’s emphasis on legacy over trophies resonates deeply. He shares his belief that success is not just about the championships but about the relationships formed and lessons learned. This is evident in his reflections on his bond with Jordan, Bryant, and other players, whom he describes not just as athletes but as complex individuals striving for greatness.
Eleven Rings is more than a sports memoir; it’s about leadership, teamwork, and the human spirit. An enjoyable book which is a must-read for basketball fans and anyone looking to grow as a leader.