Phil Jackson ambled away last Sunday with a contented half-grin and a creaky gait, taking his 11 championships, Zen musings, literary references, book-giving habits and beloved triangle offense with him.

The N.B.A. may never see — or hear — anyone quite like him again.

When the Los Angeles Lakers bowed out of the playoffs, it marked the likely end of Jackson’s storied coaching career. He is retiring, this time presumably for good, at 65, with an achy back, cranky hips and nothing left to prove.

Tributes to Jackson’s coaching legacy came swiftly. The N.B.A. will miss his acumen, his collected wisdom and his dedication to team-first basketball.

Me, I’ll miss quoting him.

I spoke with Jackson daily as a Lakers beat writer from 1999 to 2004 and have chatted with him many times since. He is one of the unique personalities I’ve covered, and easily the most compelling and creative orator.