Lakers to Unveil Phil Jackson Statue Outside Crypto.com Arena in April 2027

Jackson led the Lakers to five NBA championships across 11 seasons, presiding over one of the most dominant stretches in franchise history. Lakers Governor Jeanie Buss emphasized the enduring impact of his tenure in an official statement released by the team.

“Phil Jackson defines championship basketball for a reason,” Buss said. “His masterful approach to coaching brought out the best in some of the greatest athletes to ever play the game. After he accepted my dad’s invitation to join the Lakers, Phil’s unmatched creativity and commitment to excellence restored our championship legacy, bringing five titles and setting a standard of excellence for generations to come.”

Championship Era in Los Angeles

After guiding the Chicago Bulls to six NBA titles during the 1990s, Jackson took over the Lakers coaching reins ahead of the 1999–2000 season. His tenure in Los Angeles spanned two distinct periods: from 1999 to 2004, and again from 2005 to 2011.

During those years, Jackson directed the franchise to seven NBA Finals appearances, capturing a three-peat with championships in 2000, 2001, and 2002, followed by back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010. Star players Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal played central roles in those championship runs, winning all of their titles in Los Angeles under Jackson’s guidance.

Records show that Jackson holds several all-time franchise coaching marks. He stands first in regular-season games coached at 902, regular-season wins at 610, playoff games coached at 181, and playoff wins at 118. Under his leadership, the Lakers reached the postseason every single year, registering nine seasons with 50 or more wins and two seasons surpassing 60 victories.

Franchise Immortality Outside Crypto.com Arena

Jackson, who was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007 and named one of the 15 greatest coaches in NBA history during the league’s 75th-anniversary celebration in 2022, will become the ninth individual honored with a statue outside the arena.

He joins an exclusive group of Lakers icons immortalized outside the venue, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Kobe Bryant, Chick Hearn, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Pat Riley, and Jerry West.

The unveiling ceremony on April 9, 2027, will mark the culmination of celebrations for a coach who fundamentally shaped modern professional basketball.