The Last Dance | The Mentality of Winning

The Last Dance | Part IV - The Mentality of Winning

“If you don’t want to play that way, don’t play that way.”

Winning. It’s not for everyone. 

Jerry Krause explained what this team was about from the off; “It’s composed of guys who understand what they have to do and who are winners.”

He was talking about a group of players who had won back to back Championships, and in Jordan, Pippen and Jackson, five championships in their time at the Bulls, soon to be six. This was an organisation which had become about winning and dominating. Their only period of not winning coming from Jordan taking a season and a half out of the game. This was a dynasty. An organisation which had become synonymous with success and greatness. And at the top of that was Jordan. 

“We were shit when I got there, and we got to elevate to bring a championship-quality team.

This is a documentary about winning. About greatness. It’s about learning what is required to win. About what is needed, the sacrifice, the dedication, the attention and pressure. It’s about teamwork, coaching, recruitment and being great, time and time again. 

The end of episode seven said it all.

It was the defining moment of the series.

“Winning has a price.

Leadership has a price.

So I pulled people along when they didn’t want to be pulled.

I challenged people when they didn’t want to be challenged.

And I earned that right because my teammates who came after me they didn’t endure the kind of things I had endured.

Once you join the team you play to a certain standard that I played the game,

And I wasn’t going to take anything less.

If that meant I had to get in your ass a little bit then I did that.

You ask all my teammates – The one thing about Michael Jordan was he never asked me to do something that he didn’t fucking do.

He may been a tyrant. Well, that’s you, because you never won anything

I wanted to win, but I wanted them to win, and be a part of that as well.

That’s how I played the game, that was my mentality 

If you don’t want to play that way, don’t play that way.”

Many people say they want to be winners, say they want to win, be successful. But how many truly put the work in, sacrifice, find the time and don’t make excuses. On bad days find the energy and determination to continue to graft, not cut corners or in the case of Jordan, push his teammates and demand more and more from them on a daily basis in order to get the team into a position, mentally, to win. 

“There’s certain standards you have to live by, you don’t come pussyfooting around, you don’t come in joking and fooling around. You gotta come ready to play.”

Even though this documentary takes the approach of seeing Jordan in a positive light, it’s pretty clear that this man was and is the best basketball player ever. And a lot of that is due to his mentality. It’s what defines him against all others. An insatiable, constant desire to the best. His dedication to be the best is simply amazing. He leaves basketball and becomes a baseball player and proves himself to the coaches with his desire to improve and relentless work ethic. He puts his mind to something and will do everything he can to be better. No excuses. As his coach said, “His work ethic was the best I’ve been around”. This is the GOAT right here. 

Leadership

His leadership to drive standards, expectations and demands on his teammates is the mark of a great player. What’s the quote from John Wooden, “A player who makes a team great is better than a great player”. Well it’s fair to say that Jordan was both. He made his team better, his teammates better, and was the best. Now that’s something.  

“Winning has a price

Leadership has a price.

I pulled people along when they didn’t want to be pulled along.

I challenged people when they didn’t want to be challenged.”

New players joining the team, or those he inherited when he returned, they didn’t understand. Perhaps the time away (from Jordan) was too nice and accommodating. Jordan was a driver. Would expect more and more each day. He was constantly testing his teammates. In a way that we regard coaching, asking more  testing players. He was coaching the team to be more focused, able to deal with pressure and physicality. 

He allowed Jackson to coach and develop the team because he would lead and drive the group psychologically. This is a perfect coach/captain partnership. It makes me constantly think about Man Utd with Ferguson and Keane, in that era of the 90’s and early 2000’s, same as Jordan, when perhaps this was the culture which successful teams had, where the leaders/captains were relentless and demanding on their teammates. Has the modern era changed? I don’t think so. 

I think of Puyol and Guardiola at Barca, a genuine leader and a tactical coach, working perfectly to demand standards and expectations of what success required. Jose Mourinho has always done best when he has a general in his squad which can demand the standards and keep the players focused. It keeps the coach/manager’s strength yet means they can coach and not ‘manage’ the team. Their captain will do that job for them. 

I look at the Patriots and consider the Belichick and Brady era as a culture built around winning. Being serious about winning. Players who leave the Patriots say it wasn’t fun, was too intense, too serious. But they won. They got a ring. Other organisations which aren’t successful yet are seen as enjoyable, fun and laid back, perhaps there’s a reason they don’t win?! And maybe a lot of players prefer that environment. Because winning, again and again, takes some level of mentality, drive and dedication. It’s not for everyone. 

Nothing easy, nothing given to you. You better go out there and earn it. You earn it in practice.

Imagine you’re a new player coming in to this environment. The expectations and judgements are on you from the start. And the test is, can you win Jordan’s respect? You’re coming in to an organisation which demands winning. So are you a winner? You may be talented but do you have the mentality, the drive and focus to be a winner? 

This what was expected from you from Jordan;

My mentality was to go out and win, at any cost,

If you don’t want to live that regimented mentality,

Then you don’t need to be alongside of me, 

Because I’m gonna ridicule you until you can, 

If you don’t get on the same level then it’s going to be hell for you.

The Steve Kerr incident

Jordan was trying to get the best of the players around him. And Phil Jackson is ‘protecting’ players from Jordan in training. Protecting these guys, that’s not going to help us when we play these teams that are very physical. Kerr gained Jordan's respect because he didn't back down to him. Jordan tested everyone, and Kerr stood up to him. He wasn't wiling to back down. What happened? Their relationship improved – a trust was built.

 As Kerr said, “His theory was, if you can’t handle pressure from me, you’re not gonna be able to handle pressure of the NBA playoffs” 

Consider what you would do in a difficult situation with a fellow player or staff member? Earn the respect of those around you by sticking up for yourself. Be strong and stick to your principles. Be a strong team.  

How good do you want to be? 

“You gotta live up to that challenge, you gotta go out there and do your job”

One of my favourite books is Nick Saban’s “How good do you want to be?”, a fantastic lesson in coaching and creating a culture of success and winning. Demanding, hard, constant. All the elements needed to prepare young men to be great professionals and also strong men who have the values and work ethic to succeed in any area of work. Saban is from the Belichick school and both have achieved great success. That question, is just that, a question. A test. A test of your character and purpose. How bad do you want it? And what will you do to achieve your goals?

As coaches do we prepare players properly for the game? There’s good discussions to be had on “realistic practices” but do we help provide them the tools to deal with the pressure, with the various styles of play, with the changing room and socially what is needed? There’s a balance, there are those who are too critical and negative and lose their players, and those that are too nice, not wanting to criticise, overly positive and don’t help prepare their players for the adversity and challenges they will encounter. 

Being a Leader

I liked what BJ Armstrong said in the discussion about Jordan being ‘nice’. 

“Was he a nice guy?

He couldn’t have been nice,

With that kind of mentality he couldn’t be a nice guy,

He would be difficult to be around if you didn’t truly love the game of basketball”

Like being 'nice' is important in this? I don’t think being a dickhead or a bully is right, but if you’re trying to be nice and liked all the time, are you pushing and demanding enough? Sometimes, many times usually, players need to be called out, staff need to be asked questions on, are you doing your best? Are you fully focused, dedicated? Do you really want to achieve what you say you want?

That final part – truly love the game of basketball – I love that! A genuine love and passion for the game, for the winning yes but more than that. A love and respect of the game. About showing a dedication and 100% to the game. About turning up every game and putting on a show. Entertaining the people who pay money to come and watch. Jordan felt an obligation to give his best every night. To give his best, all the time.

His team benefitted, he became the best ever and the fans were entertained every time. Imagine if everyone approached their craft and job in the same way, with the same passion and dedication. Increased productivity and enjoyment for all? 

Passion and a love for the sport. I love football. Love to play it. Love to coach and develop players. Why do I write about football, coaching and youth development? Because I have a love and passion for it. Do what you love and try to do it to your best. 

Coaching with Fear

Each and every day he’s going to push you to try to get you where he is.

“People were afraid of him

We were his teammates and there was just fear

The fear factor of MJ was so thick

Yeah let’s not it wrong he was an asshole, He was a jerk

He crossed the line numerous times,

But as time goes on and you think back

About what he was actually trying to accomplish

You’re like, yeah he was a hell of a teammate

He was pushing us all to be better

Because he wanted to win

And guess what? It worked”

Phil Jackson, in his mode of team builder and belief on togetherness knew his role was to keep Jordan in check, and focused on the ultimate goal. If his leader got too critical, too destructive, then the team would fall apart and there would be no success. Jordan needed to know his role as leader required a sense of positivity and team camaraderie. You still need this. A team can’t just be in fear or being critiqued every day. It was important to tone it down. Reminds me again of Roy Keane and when his time at United came to an end. His critical voice had become a problem. 

I’ve heard stories about the great Eric Harrison at Man Utd and how hard he was on the players he worked with. How many said they were scared of him and now they look back and are thankful for what he did for them. Being demanding, being ‘fearful’, this isn’t negative. It’s actually done with a care for the future of the players you’re working with. 

When you look back consider if what they did for you was actually beneficial. And then consider, perhaps you’re a player now, if you sulked, moaned and quit when your coach asked more and demanded on you. If he was testing you, to see how far you can go, then consider if was exposing your character in that moment. When football starts back up, when pre-season begins, what character will you show? Will you show resilience and determination, or will you quit when it gets too tough. What would a winner do? 

This fits in well with the Pippen story. He ‘quit’ on the team for 1.8 seconds. Yet the ramifications of this decision are still there now. Pippen was a brilliant player, under valued and not given enough credit even now for what he brought. Remember, all of Jordan’s titles came with Pippen, they were a team. Players loved him. But this element of quitting on the team – of choosing to sit out, refusing to play, well this loses the respect of teammates. And is a lesson for those who opt to quit when they aren’t happy. It’s seen as selfish. That you’re better and bigger than the team. A decision is made, you deal with it and for the good of the team do your best. The sad thing is that the shot from Kukoc was made, it should have been a great moment, and instead the team was distraught from what Pippen had done. A hard lesson to learn.

Jackson’s point is one for you to consider, as a player or a coach, “This is something we never thought we would happen, that we would just stop playing.” 

Winning teams don’t quit. On the best teams the players don’t quit on their team.

What I liked from this incident was how honest they were with each other – the importance of a team. Talking it out in the changing room together. Voicing their displeasure and disappointment. These days I worry that players don’t talk enough, aren’t honest together, don’t call each other out because they fear of upsetting someone else. So feelings are kept inside, issues aren’t addressed and a team can’t resolve or move forwards and be stronger. Truth is hidden and resentment grows. Honest communication is a key part of a successful team. Talk and resolve. 

Motivation

I’ve never seen a player go after another the way he did. Torched and humiliated him 

The motivational aspect of Jordan is quite something. Perhaps what defines him most. It’s back to that word mentality again. Never wanting to be second, not wanting to be compared to anyone, always seeking to be the best. Proving doubters wrong. A player has a good game against him, next time is payback and he dominates and destroys them. Just an ice cold ruthless killer on the court. He was always finding something to stir him, to get him going. Games within games to keep him motivated. Even making up stories to get him in the right mindset. Getting him in to a place where he is going to beat you.

The Bulls have taken their heart. And that’s what they do to you.

The best games often have two teams who are at each other, not quitting and being equally determined to win. These are the intense games which keep us entertained. Yet many games we watch, where a team dominates and thrashes another is common in leagues where there is a significant gap between the best and the rest. I wish more teams didn’t lose heart and accept defeat so easily. 

I make no qualms to say that when I coach a team I seek to educate the players that if you can play with such a domination and desire, with an energy and relentless purpose, then you will kill the motivation and spirit of the other team. When you’ve achieved this, you’ve won. It’s a constant demand to be at your best, to be ruthless, be process oriented and play with the purpose to be your best all the time. 

On the otherside of this, teach and prepare your players not to quit. To show resilience, perseverance and a never say quit attitude. This is why the best, why winners, are winners. They don’t quit. And when they lose, they bounce back quickly. 

The Best Team Ever

One of the biggest errors teams and players had with Jordan was ‘waking Michael Jordan up’. On his return back from his hiatus there were some questions on him; “News just in – Michael Jordan is human” and “I guess 45 just ain’t 23”. Fuel for Jordan to prove people wrong. Igniting his purpose and desire. Bringing out that ruthless animal. As he says, “Payback is a motherfucker”

Was it any surprise that the Bulls best ever season, the best season ever from an NBA team (the Warriors didn’t win a ring!) came off the back the exit from the Magic and Horace Grant. That season was a lesson in preparation and focus. 

Jordan’s reaction from that defeat was simple; I am going to come back stronger and fitter than ever in order to beat you and win. He wasn’t fit enough when he came back, he didn’t have the legs for the demands of basketball. He needed a summer to retrain and get back to his prime. Some were wondering if Jordan would ever get back to the player who left? He came back with a vengeance  Losing that series was one of Michael’s lowest points, watching and listening to the celebrations. All that did was fuel his summer and following season. 

So he set out on working hard to be the best. While filming a film! His commitment and dedication once again proving to be beyond the levels of everyone else. He would film all day, then train and play basketball in the evening. Invite players in to play, while using them to hone his skills and fitness, as well as learning and scoping out the opposition while he played. It was purposeful. 

So when pre-season started he was ready. And made sure his teammates were ready too. History was made. The best team ever. 

We all have bad experiences, a bad season, a disappointment. But how do we react? Do we accept it, or do we used it as motivation to come even stronger next time? 

The question to you is, what drives you? What’s your motivation? What’s your ‘why’? And can you get yourself into the right mentality to be able to perform and win? I know some players and coaches get motivated against an ex-team or a coach they don’t like. Jordan was able to get himself into this mode almost every night! The focus and energy needed for this. Again and again. Wow! 

His positive influence

A wonderful, wonderful positive man.

And winning the title on Father’s Day. One wonders if he allowed it to get to 3-2 just so that game to win it could come on that special day. The emotion of that moment was heart-breaking. It was a though he had bottled it all up until that moment of success allowed the release. Just like his first championship win. He had got what he had worked so hard for, he could now let out all that he was bottling up. 

It’s important to discuss the influence his father had on him. What a truly devastating moment for the Jordan family. Yet the important message was about positivity. His dad was a man of optimism and positivity. He helped, supported and guided Jordan, was a positive influence on him. They were friends.

I think as parents we all want the best for our kids and want to be a positive influence on them. We want to provide optimism and belief. James Jordan is an inspiration to us all. 

Family

The difficulty of being the best

One aspect of this documentary that isn’t focused on at all is the relationship he has with his wife and kids. You see moments when they’re together. But I wonder how much time he got to spend with them? It must have been hard, being as committed to being the best basketball player, the media and commercial elements which come with being so famous. The need for rest and recovery. The travel and constant games. I guess in some sports there is an expectation you won’t always be home. But that must be hard. 

There are many stories about those who have been successful often sees them say they wish they could have spent more time with their kids and seen them grow up. I guess this is the toughest balance, the work-life balance, the commitment you give to ‘work’ and how much time you spend with the kids. During this time of lockdown and Covid we’ve all been able to spend a lot more with our loved ones and this should be treasured. It’s overwhelming at times and nowhere to go! But, these moments are special. Work takes over so much of our time and focus, we often forget what the most important parts of our life is. The time we give our loved ones. Being ‘in the room’ and not distracted. Yes, to be the best requires dedication and commitment, but can we not show the same level of focus with our kids and partners too? 

The Whitehouse Address @TheWAddress