“Why are you doing this?” Lakers owner Jeanie Buss questioned Phil Jackson's methods

The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most iconic franchises in the NBA. After all, the Purple and Gold have won the second-most titles in league history, with 17 championship banners hanging in the rafters.

Legendary head coach Phil Jackson played a crucial role in making the LA Lakers a great franchise. However, apart from leading the Lakers to five NBA Championships under his leadership, Jackson seemingly had an unforgettable impact on Jeanie Buss's outlook on the franchise.

"I dated Phil for 15 years, so when I was his significant other, I learned how to look at the team through the lens of a coach," Buss said. " I remember getting in a fight with him because he was bringing the team in on Thanksgiving to practice."

Buss questioned Jackson's methods

Jackson had a unique way of connecting with his players. In fact, Phil's association with Eastern philosophy earned him the nickname of the Zen Master. Keeping that in mind, it's plausible that his partner at the time, Buss, didn't understand a plethora of Jackson's methods.

In the same interview, the LA Lakers governor revealed her ex-partner's thought process behind scheduling practices on holidays.

"I'm like, 'Why are you doing this? Give them a day off.' He's like, 'Settle down. Jeanie, what I'm trying to show them by having them practice on Thanksgiving (is) I wanted to establish that this is their family as well.' And you have to be with your family on a holiday and that's powerful. When a coach can harness that and create that family dynamic, then you know you have something really special."

Although Jackson's method may have seemed a bit cruel to Buss, it ultimately produced excellent results for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Jackson and Buss ended their engagement in 2016

The Lakers head coach and current owner started dating back in 1999. The couple withstood a great transition within the organization with the dawn of the new era. Despite receiving some criticism for their age difference, the couple got engaged in 2013.

However, even after dating each other for 15 years, Jackson and Buss never tied the knot. In fact, they broke up in 2016.

As mentioned in Jackson's tweet, the primary reason behind their split was their professional obligations. At the time, Jackson had an executive job with the New York Knicks while Jeanie was running the Lakers.

Related: Jeanie Buss admits missing Kobe Bryant: "Honestly, he was the greatest Laker ever"