Jackson knows Lakota ways

Williams:  Phil Jackson demonstrates Lakota measure of greatness

By Richard B. WilliamsPhil Jackson, the coach of the championship winning Los Angeles Lakers, epitomizes the American Indian qualities of leadership, so much so that in 2003, the American Indian College Fund honored Jackson at its annual gala. Jackson was coaching for the Chicago Bulls at the time, so his good friend and colleague Bill Bradley accepted the award on his behalf.

Jackson and Bradley have been involved with American Indian people for quite some time. More than 25 years ago Jackson and Bradley were conducting a basketball clinic on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. As a result of their relationships with American Indians and careful observation, Jackson and Bradley have been able to incorporate the leadership philosophies they learned there into their professional and personal lives.

Both have written about Indian people and a way of life that is different from mainstream society. Jackson’s book “Sacred Hoops: Spiritual Lessons of a Hardwood Warrior” weaves in principles of Lakota leadership, lessons learned about the sacred hoop, and intimate details of Lakota spiritual philosophy combined with tenets of Zen Buddhism to show how individuals can selflessly grow to achieve and become better adjusted people to increase their potential and the potential of those around them.Comment:  For more on the subject, see "X" Cap Benefits College Fund and Jackson:  Change "Sioux" Nickname.