After ‘Ordering’ Michael Jordan to Stop Chasing Scoring Titles, Phil Jackson Infuriated Bulls Superstar in His First Year as Head Coach

Phil Jackson was appointed as the head coach of the Chicago Bulls back in 1989. Before him, the Bulls relied on Michael Jordan almost singularly for their offensive output. Jackson, despite having fresh ideas, wanted a more team-based approach. According to Sam Smith’s “The Jordan Rules,” Michael Jordan was initially reluctant, considering the new game plan would result in him taking fewer shots, which would inadvertently affect his chances of winning the scoring title.

While Jordan was already the best player in the NBA, the Bulls had limited success in the Playoffs. Jordan was also initially unsure of the triangle offense that Jackson wanted the team to adopt. But after its application, the Bulls went on to achieve great success. And apart from winning 6 NBA championships, Jordan won a record 10 scoring titles.

Michael Jordan was initially reluctant to Phil Jackson’s ideas at the Chicago Bulls

Phil Jackson had claimed that he did not like the way the Bulls played, after his arrival. Michael Jordan was overly relied on by his teammates which meant that the Bulls were one-dimensional. According to Sam Smith’s The Jordan Rules, Jackson claimed the following about the Bulls:

“I frankly didn’t like the game they played here. I didn’t want to set up a conflict between Michael and the organization, but I always knew there was something better that could come from what he did. So much of the game here had been ‘Throw him the ball and then clear out and he’s going to go one-on-five and everyone’s going to stand there and watch and everyone’s going to come running at him and maybe he makes some outstanding move and pops through or he crashes to the floor and burns.’ But how many times does this guy have to go down before he’s putting himself in more jeopardy and taking unnecessary risks?”

The fact that Jordan took on players as much as he could meant that he was at greater risk of injuring himself. While Jordan never had any serious fitness issues, Jackson still thought that his brilliance could result in a much better team, than it had previously. Smith claimed that Jordan was initially reluctant:

“Jordan and Jackson would finally have their conversation when Jordan stopped by the coach’s office in the Multiplex. He was wearing a diamond stud in his ear, but the sparkle in his smile soon faded.

 “Look, M.J.,” Jackson said, “we’re going to stick with the system this season.”

 Jordan wasn’t thrilled.

 “I know I can recognize what to do,” Jordan said, “but I’m not sure they can.”

Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson went on to achieve great things together

Jackson himself later claimed that he expected Jordan to be a lot more rigid than he ended up being. MJ initially might have had his reservations, but according to Basketball Network, Phil later claimed he was a “coachable player,”.

Jordan had taken a respite from the fact that he could still easily go on and score 32 points a game, which was enough to win the scoring title. Of course, while Jordan won plenty of those, the Bulls proved a much better team under Jackson and won 6 championships in 8 years.

Jackson, who had claimed that the triangle offense was the future of the NBA, proved himself right. After his time at the Bulls, he also led the LA Lakers to a 3-peat, alongside the duo of Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant.