MJ's cold words as a cold reminder
Hunter Prichard
Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: Sports
If one good thing came out of Michael Jordan's recent Hall of Fame induction speech, it was that it reminded the world who he really was.
Jordan's speech was criticized for the brutalizing, damaging way he spoke about his former teammates, coaches and opponents.
The speech washed away any praise or accommodations that he received over the years. It jogged everyone's memory that the real Jordan was an abusive, egocentric dirt bag who was either hated or feared by nearly everyone he played with or against.
"The Jordan Rules," by journalist Sam Smith, was published in 1993 after Jordan's third straight title and in the midst of his shocking retirement from the sport.
Because it was believed that Jordan was forever done with the game, Smith took advantage of the opportunity by providing readers with every inside story and jab at Jordan in his retelling of his first title in 1991.
The reporting begins at the conclusion of the Bulls '90 season when the team lost in the playoffs against the rival Detroit Pistons. Early MJ was a cultural marketing icon, and although he was winning MVP awards and scoring titles, it was believed around the league that he would never win a championship.
His selfish play and inability to trust his teammates turned the focus onto him; a good team could shut down the Bulls squad by putting several defenders on Jordan and then watch him struggle as he tried to score on his own.
This all changed when Phil Jackson became head coach in 1989. Jackson needed to make a change. He decided to transform the Bulls offense from just relying on the skill of Jordan into a more team-oriented game.
He also started to play Jordan fewer minutes, with the reasoning that he would be healthier and better rested for the playoffs.
Like we know now, the Bulls won its first title in the 1991 season. The team was in first place throughout the entire season, finished with a then franchise best 61 wins and Jordan won his second MVP. Behind the scenes though, things were far from perfect.
Jordan's speech was criticized for the brutalizing, damaging way he spoke about his former teammates, coaches and opponents.
The speech washed away any praise or accommodations that he received over the years. It jogged everyone's memory that the real Jordan was an abusive, egocentric dirt bag who was either hated or feared by nearly everyone he played with or against.
"The Jordan Rules," by journalist Sam Smith, was published in 1993 after Jordan's third straight title and in the midst of his shocking retirement from the sport.
Because it was believed that Jordan was forever done with the game, Smith took advantage of the opportunity by providing readers with every inside story and jab at Jordan in his retelling of his first title in 1991.
The reporting begins at the conclusion of the Bulls '90 season when the team lost in the playoffs against the rival Detroit Pistons. Early MJ was a cultural marketing icon, and although he was winning MVP awards and scoring titles, it was believed around the league that he would never win a championship.
His selfish play and inability to trust his teammates turned the focus onto him; a good team could shut down the Bulls squad by putting several defenders on Jordan and then watch him struggle as he tried to score on his own.
This all changed when Phil Jackson became head coach in 1989. Jackson needed to make a change. He decided to transform the Bulls offense from just relying on the skill of Jordan into a more team-oriented game.
He also started to play Jordan fewer minutes, with the reasoning that he would be healthier and better rested for the playoffs.
Like we know now, the Bulls won its first title in the 1991 season. The team was in first place throughout the entire season, finished with a then franchise best 61 wins and Jordan won his second MVP. Behind the scenes though, things were far from perfect.
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