The NBA has faced considerable criticism lately over its handling of coverage and presentation. Some of the strongest voices have come from former players — Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, and Paul Pierce, among them — who regularly question the current state of the league.
Now, one of the game’s most iconic coaches has added his voice to the mix. Phil Jackson, widely considered the greatest head coach in NBA history, recently took issue with the league, not over the game itself, but with its scheduling.
Phil Jackson Criticizes NBA Over Holiday Scheduling
Phil Jackson’s career in basketball spans nearly five decades. He was the architect of the triangle offense. He won 11 NBA titles as a coach, first with the Chicago Bulls’ dynasty of the 1990s, featuring Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, and later with the Los Angeles Lakers’ dynasty of the early 2000s, featuring Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. All of this success came after winning two titles as a player with the New York Knicks in 1970 and 1973.
Since retiring from coaching in 2011, Jackson’s involvement in the league has been minimal, with brief stints as Knicks president and as an advisor with the Lakers.
His time as an executive was not nearly as successful as his time as a coach. However, he did have some notably strong moments, such as drafting Kristaps Porzingis No. 4 overall in the 2015 NBA Draft as president of the Knicks, a move that analysts widely panned at the time.
But as the NBA Playoffs tip off after a record-setting regular season, Jackson voiced a concern that has little to do with basketball itself.
Posting on X, the Zen Master wrote: “Again the NBA tests faith by playing multiple games on Christmas and Easter…sacred days.”
Again the NBA tests faith by playing multiple games on Christmas and Easter…sacred days.
— Phil Jackson (@PhilJackson11) April 20, 2025
Jackson’s frustration appeared to be aimed at the league’s decision to begin the playoffs during Easter weekend. This year, the opening weekend featured eight games spread across Saturday and Easter Sunday.
While this scheduling isn’t new, barring the COVID-altered 2020 and 2021 seasons, the issue becomes more noticeable when Easter falls in mid-to-late April. The same overlap occurred in 2022, when the playoffs began on April 16 and Easter fell on April 17, and also in 2017.
Given Jackson’s stature in league history, his criticism is sure to draw attention. With the NBA broadcast globally to a diverse audience, the league may face more pressure to consider how its major events align with widely observed holidays.
Ultimately, any changes would have to be addressed by the NBA, the NBPA, and Commissioner Adam Silver.
