Phil Jackson Says He Flopped Playing Against Wilt Chamberlain

Former Chicago Bulls and Los Angles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson notoriously hated flopping, at least during his time on the sideline. The thirteen-time NBA Champion was constantly berating officials in the media for allowing it, none more famously than during the 2001 Western Conference Finals, a heavyweight contest between his Lakers and the Sacramento Kings – notably lead by the flopping master himself, Vlade Divac.

However, despite Jackson’s irritation with flopping, the former New York Knicks player was more than happy to use it to his advantage during his playing days.

Speaking at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, California earlier this week, Jackson compared Shaquille O’Neal and Wilt Chamberlain and in the most inconspicuous of ways, insinuated that he used to flop when he would guard the great Chamberlain.

Per Jackson, via Eric Pincus:

"“One of the things we were taught, just get in Wilt’s path. He doesn’t like the offensive foul,” said Jackson on Wednesday.  “If you take his shoulder and you fake an offensive foul, take the charge so to speak, he really would stop being aggressive. That was the one thing that was kind of a limitation in Wilt’s game.”"

“Fake” an offensive foul, huh?

Vlade would be so proud, Phil.