The Last Dance provides a fantastic insight into Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls success. A must watch for anyone who wants to learn more about greatness.
After a much anticipated release The Last Dance came to Netflix and provided two fantastic opening episodes. They were fantastic! The insight into Michael Jordan’s mentality, background and journey was just fantastic. My plan each week is to put down my reflections on the episodes and discuss the key elements which resonated most with me.
After a much anticipated release The Last Dance came to Netflix and provided two fantastic opening episodes. They were fantastic! The insight into Michael Jordan’s mentality, background and journey was just fantastic. My plan each week is to put down my reflections on the episodes and discuss the key elements which resonated most with me.
“He’s the best athlete, he’s one of the best competitors and he’s one of the most skilled players. And that for me makes him the best basketball player that I’ve ever seen play.”
That was Bob Knight, the USA 1984 Olympics Head Coach the summer before Jordan joined the Chicago Bulls after being selected in the draft from the University of North Carolina. And this pretty much describes the brilliance of Michael Jordan. He had it all. But it's what he developed and made of his skills and mentality which separated him from the rest.
Developing Competitiveness
Sibling rivalry
There is a look back at Jordan’s upbringing and background. And the key elements which I believe are essential for a young athlete to develop were highlighted; sibling rivalry and dealing with adversity; rejection and proving doubters wrong.
The sibling rivalry occurred between him, his brother and their relationship with their father. His brother was more talented than Michael when they were younger, which meant Jordan had to work even harder to compete and catchup. The sibling stretch belief, which sees a natural challenge/stretch occur, as well as a desire to always beat your brother, is a major benefit for a young athlete who has to work harder to compete. It's not easy. This is key to helping someone from behind, the classic 2nd place mentality, the drive to be number 1.
The sibling rivalry occurred between him, his brother and their relationship with their father. His brother was more talented than Michael when they were younger, which meant Jordan had to work even harder to compete and catchup. The sibling stretch belief, which sees a natural challenge/stretch occur, as well as a desire to always beat your brother, is a major benefit for a young athlete who has to work harder to compete. It's not easy. This is key to helping someone from behind, the classic 2nd place mentality, the drive to be number 1.
And through these battles Michael was treated harshly by his dad. His brother was favoured more by his dad, that seems clear. And when Michael was asked to do work round the house and messed up, he was told one time by his dad “You’re never going to be anything. Go back to your mom.” Jordan admits that was hard to take. Yet it gave him the drive and purpose to earn the praise from his dad. This is not a positive experience. It’s not a positive approach at all; it’s a tough, demanding and even brutal treatment of a young boy. Yet isn’t that what sport is? Elite sports certainly. You’ve got to have the mental toughness to keep going under adversity. I'm not arguing for young players to be treated badly but it helped Jordan work harder and develop the mentality to prove people wrong.
His desire to win his dad over as well as the battles he had with his brother playing together, helped Jordan develop his mentality and competitive, never say quit mindset.
High school basketball
Jordan wasn’t selected for the basketball team as a sophomore. It was a big blow to him and he took it hard. Yet his mom told him not to quit, but to work hard and earn his chance to get in. And that’s what he did. He took rejection, and with the support and strength of his mom he didn’t quit and instead worked even harder. He developed his ball skills and his shooting and as he grew into an even better athlete, he had developed his game to a whole new level. He went back to high school and was a revelation. The coach puts it down to his growth spurt but I'm sure that his relentless work on his game made him a better player. One wonders if had he been selected without the rejection, would he have had the same desire to ‘prove people wrong’ and therefore relentlessly drive himself to be better each day?
Perhaps we often give young athletes too much of an easy run? Not developing or testing their ability to deal with adversity and rejection? Without losing something, you can’t work hard to get it back. Jordan could have quit but he made a choice to work even harder and develop his game further. How many kids use their time effectively or focus their time on other things which doesn’t develop their main goal/focus? And as parents, do you allow your kid to quit or instill and importantly support the mentality to ‘keep going’ and ‘work even harder’?
Never a day off
There's a great quote in the documentary, "Michael played every game as though it was his last. He never had a day off." This personifies Jordan and what people marvel at him. Whether it was training or a game it didn't matter, everything mattered. An exhibition game in Paris, for some it was a fun trip to France, for him it was no different, he played to his best. He was at his best, or sought to be at his best, every day. What a mentality! How many approach their sport or work in the same way? We make excuses, blame pain and family. But the truth is that you make a choice to be at your best and to maximise what you do, or you choose not to. You blame others and make it easier to accept that you couldn't perform. The best don't make excuses, they find a way.
Win every game
In the same vein as above, Jordan's mentality to be at his best every day, led to him wanting to win every time, every day. His energy and determination to never quit or give up. He wanted to win every game.
When he first joined the Bulls he was a bit surprised to find that some of his teammates were more than happy to accept defeat when behind, and simply move on to the next game. Down going into the 4th quarter in one game he felt his teammates had made the choice to down tools and move on. Jordan couldn’t accept this, and wouldn’t. In that game he drove his team to the win. And in doing so made his team realise that they had a special talent and leader. As he says, the team saw in Jordan this never up mentality; “This young kid is not going to let us lose”.
This mentality became the Bulls as an organisation. He instilled that type of mindset for everyone. He brought that level of championship competitiveness. Of wanting to be the best every game. He hated to lose, wanted to win, did everything necessary to win and never had a day off.
When he first joined the Bulls he was a bit surprised to find that some of his teammates were more than happy to accept defeat when behind, and simply move on to the next game. Down going into the 4th quarter in one game he felt his teammates had made the choice to down tools and move on. Jordan couldn’t accept this, and wouldn’t. In that game he drove his team to the win. And in doing so made his team realise that they had a special talent and leader. As he says, the team saw in Jordan this never up mentality; “This young kid is not going to let us lose”.
This mentality became the Bulls as an organisation. He instilled that type of mindset for everyone. He brought that level of championship competitiveness. Of wanting to be the best every game. He hated to lose, wanted to win, did everything necessary to win and never had a day off.
For some it’s easy to treat certain training sessions or games as easy or irrelevant. Of only bringing your best to the games which ‘matter’. And yet for Jordan every day mattered. Imagine that level of mentality and drive?! It could bring out the best of others and take your team to a new level. What about the reverse? A negative, quit under pressure teammate/staff could create a culture of losing and mediocrity. What do you bring to your team?
Developing Leadership
Too small to lead?
When Jordan was drafted many said a 6’6 forward was 'too small' to lead a team to a championship. Well, after a few pieces were put together Jordan made those people look foolish!
Don't let people limit your potential and tell you can't be something. Prove them wrong and be your best.
Don't let people limit your potential and tell you can't be something. Prove them wrong and be your best.
Leader
Jordan developed as the Bulls leader due to his mentality and quality on the court. Importantly he didn’t come in saying “I’m taking over this team”, instead he proved to everyone why he should be the leader by how he played in training and games. As the example above about Jordan not accepting losing and driving his time to win and succeed, he won over the players and earned their respect.
This is how true leaders emerge, they work hard every day and prove themselves to their peers. They don’t just talk and demand respect, they earn it. And boy did Jordan earn it!
This is how true leaders emerge, they work hard every day and prove themselves to their peers. They don’t just talk and demand respect, they earn it. And boy did Jordan earn it!
Saying “No”
“I don’t smoke, I don’t do lines, I didn’t drink at the time. I was looking to just get some rest, get up and go and play.”
Jordan talks about a time he was in a hotel and went to visit one of the rooms. He found a party with the players doing cocaine, drinking and partying with girls. For some this is the life, a world of partying and having fun. Of being a famous sports star and enjoying the benefits of it. What did Jordan do? He walked away from that. He admits, from that moment he became focused just on himself. Of achieving his goal. He wanted to be the best, and this meant sacrifice and discipline. Living the life of drugs and partying was not going to help him achieve what he wanted. And he had the strength of character and purpose to walk away and say no. He made a choice to be the best and his actions backed that up.
A young athlete has many temptations and opportunities. Being asked to go to a party or meet up with friends, drink, do drugs. Many can’t say no, the temptation is too great, and they simply can’t resist. This is what marks the best with the rest. The best say no, they have self-discipline. Because they have a higher goal and aim. And they have the mentality to back this up. Jordan is proof of what sacrifice and discipline can lead to. Unfortunately many talents have wasted their potential for greatness because they couldn’t say no.
Having a great teammate
Jordan proved he was an incredible player. But he didn't win until he was provided with a team around him. And he didn't win without Scottie Pippin. The documentary focuses on how Pippin was treated by management in terms of his contract and how he wasn't valued monetarily by the owner and general manager. Yes he had agreed a 7 year contract but there was surely an argument to say that without Pippin the Bulls and Jordan wouldn't be what they were. It was a conflict between management and Pippin which affected the team in this final season. An unnecessary conflict. And one which highlighted the approach that some see with a 'star' and his supporting cast. There was a feeling that a 're-build' was needed, that although this team had been so successful, a change was needed. Jordan was untouchable but others like Pippin were expendable. But you can't underestimate the importance of great teammates, Pippin was immense, his impact and contribution in terms of stats were incredible, as well as what he did for Jordan. It wasn't a one man show with Jordan and the Bulls but a group of great players. The management didn't appreciate this, which is why Jerry Krause gets such a bad reputation.
The lesson; appreciate the impact and contribution of the teammates. And as a player value what others around you give and provide for you. As staff and management, value your team and see what each member is providing for the team. Especially on a successful team, all players make an impact and importantly they need to be valued to bring out their best. If you don't value your staff you won't get the commitment and dedication which you want and which is needed to succeed.
______
These first two episodes were fantastic. Such great insight. As an avid reader of Phil Jackson's books and his approach I eagerly await more focus on Jackson and his methods. But overall this is a great look into one of the greatest athletes, coach and dynasty in sports. I can't wait till next week.
Any thoughts you have or want to connect find me on Twitter.
The Whitehouse Address @TheWAddress
The lesson; appreciate the impact and contribution of the teammates. And as a player value what others around you give and provide for you. As staff and management, value your team and see what each member is providing for the team. Especially on a successful team, all players make an impact and importantly they need to be valued to bring out their best. If you don't value your staff you won't get the commitment and dedication which you want and which is needed to succeed.
______
These first two episodes were fantastic. Such great insight. As an avid reader of Phil Jackson's books and his approach I eagerly await more focus on Jackson and his methods. But overall this is a great look into one of the greatest athletes, coach and dynasty in sports. I can't wait till next week.
Any thoughts you have or want to connect find me on Twitter.
The Whitehouse Address @TheWAddress
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