Top 30 Moments in Chicago Bulls History

Feb 28, 2015; Lexington, KY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson attends the the game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Arkansas Razorbacks at Rupp Arena. The Kentucky Wildcats defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks 84-67. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

24. Phil Jackson Takes The Reigns

Doug Collins missed out on coaching the greatest dynasty in the history of basketball, and it would make you feel real bad to read about his past in the NBA and USA Basketball. There isn’t a happy ending to either of those stories, but the good news for the Bulls was that they had Phil Jackson following up Collins.

“The Zenmaster” went on to win 11 titles as a coach, and this was in addition to the two he won as a player. Jordan connected with Phil in a way that the superstar hadn’t with anyone since Dean Smith, and Jackson was able to extend his career by a couple decades in Los Angeles after he was finished in Chicago.

“It was like we were let out of a cage,” Horace Grant said about a game where Phil replaced an ejected Collins. “We won the game because we were so relaxed—and we knew that Phil should become a head coach.”

Next: 23. Jordan Scores 55 At Madison Square Garden