The Last Dance | Not Accepting Mediocrity

“He’s a hero. He’s a guy who was asked to deliver every time he was asked to in these situations.”

These were two episodes about two Game 6’s. Two more championships. And what being clutch in the final moments was all about. This was about trust, toughness and belief. Kerr’s shot, the Pippin steal and Kukoc finishing it off. Final moments which they continued and consistently found a way. The fine margins between success and failure. Jordan seemed to be able to turn those moments into his favour when it really mattered. 

The ‘food poisoning’ game, Jordan’s ability to still find the energy to produce a great game. No excuses. In the final game to see Pippen’s toughness, to be in agony and still find a way to stay on the court and help the team. And then Jordan’s final moments as a Bull, the steal, the final shot. Wow! You couldn’t have written a better story. This was theatre, drama, tension. A wonderful story. And a great education. 

Learning and education

I’ve seen a hell of a lot of CPD opportunities and webinars these past few weeks, a fantastic opportunity to upskill yourself as a coach and develop new skills and ideas without doubt. Well, I do believe that The Last Dance should be regarded as CPD. It’s that good and that important. It’s a lesson from one of the greatest athletes we have ever seen across all sports. And it’s a look through the whole journey, experience and progression of him. Long term development. 

For coaches who work in youth development we think long term. We want to develop players who in 10 years time become excellent footballers (and people) and hopefully professionals. The journey is long, difficult, filled with adversity, speedbumps and moments of success. 

Jordan teaches us commitment, dedication and a relentless energy to win. To not quit. Winning was a consequence of the work he had put in. The sweat and tears as they like to say. He lost, suffered defeats and had his heartaches. It wasn’t easy. Climbing the mountain was extremely hard, as it is in youth football, you don’t always win. It's not easy. But you hopefully develop, work harder to improve your skills and intelligence, and hone your character to be tough and resilient. 

A man who inspired an organisation who had never won anything and made them an icon across the world. That’s special! He was marketed brilliantly, a great product. But he backed it up on the court. You can’t say he lost focus, desire or energy. He didn’t get distracted. He focused on his task, his ambition and desire to be the best basketball player of all time. And he succeeded. What a lesson for young players. About staying with your goal, working relentlessly to be better. Never letting mistakes effect you, coming back stronger, winning every battle. 

Passion

“My passion on the basketball court should have been contagious, because that’s how I tried to play, I did it for them.”

Jordan showed that you can overcome and succeed if you have a passion for what you do, and a goal you will do anything for. 

How many players play with this passion? How many play with an energy, an exuberance, creativity, expression and skill, allied with a tenacity and work ethic on both sides of the ball, which means they can dominate a game, and the game itself? Hard, but not impossible. 

And so we ask ourselves as coaches, do we do enough to develop these feelings of passion? Do we promote creativity and expression? Do we ignite or put out the flame of positive energy and passion of the game? 

Think of a young Jordan, not the 1998 established final product, think of the raw talent, skilful, athletic, a great work ethic, but with areas to improve. I do believe that Jordan benefitted from the fortune of having the right coach at the right time, the one who he needed as he kept developing. Phil Jackson brought out more in the team, made Jordan an even better leader, took the player from individual excellence, to a great team. Yet if he had Jackson too soon would this have brought out the best in Jordan? 

Youth coaches have a role to develop the skills and talent of the players they have, to let them be creative, be expressive and make mistakes/take risks. Too often we look at players in their 30’s and want to ‘create’ that in the young players we work with. “I want to develop a Pirlo”. But you do know that Pirlo was an attacking midfielder, a dribbler, when he was a teen? He developed and evolved. He needed those core attacking midfielder, trequartista skills, the position, the freedom, to become the player he developed into. The point is, consider the age and stage your players are at, not seeking to making them into something which is a decade away.

Multi-sports approach

Jordan’s story and progression is proof of this. Hell, he wanted to be a baseball player as a teen, and was playing a mix of baseball, American football and basketball in his teenage years. Consider the argument about the need for ‘early specialisation’ and then consider how crazy (and limiting) that is when the greatest basketball (athlete) player ever was a multi-sports, late specialisation product! This story also applies to Superbowl winner Pat Mahomes who played multiple sports in high school also. 

Developing an all round athlete requires a mix of sports and skills. Then as they mature further, the specialisation becomes more focused and tailored to excelling in that particular sport. Now put your youth development hat on, how many of your players play multiple sports? How many are allowed to?

And then consider the early specialisation of their position. Does playing in one position develop the skills a player requires in the future? How many players were the position they ended up in as a pro when they were a young player? And yet we seem obsessed with pigeon holing players early on. Trent Alexander Arnold was a central midfielder and his idol was Steven Gerrard as a youngster at Liverpool, you wouldn’t seek to produce a Alexander-Arnold at 14 and yet play that player at RB would you? 

You see we are developing players to be able to succeed in the future, that if the first team manager needs a player who can do a good job in a position, he has the skills to achieve this. Perhaps we just produce central midfielders who become universal footballers and can fit in anywhere when needed, eg James Milner. Guardiola would approve of that approach! Perhaps we shouldn’t judge young players too early? Or pigeon hole them too early? 

Look at basketball in recent years, it has moved towards a culture of positionless teams, where players interchange between roles. This is where sport is moving towards, universal players and teams. 

Not accepting mediocrity 

Jordan was part of something very special. He was the ‘match’ that lit up the organisation and brought the rest with him. He didn’t accept mediocrity. And I love that! He could have thought that the Bulls was a bad place to get drafted too, sulked and just accepted the Bulls were average. He could have just accepted being a pro basketball and got by. Not for him. He wanted more than that. And grafted for it. He turned an organisation around. 

For me the worst element of player development or coaching, is accepting and even promoting mediocrity. Teammates bringing you down out of envy or laziness; it's easier to bring the best player down to our level than having to work to get their level. And the coaches who take away from their better players by restricting them or denying them the freedom to express, dribble, use skill. “Play safe” “Play simple” are crucifiers for young players. Develop players who will take risks, who are game changers, who want to take the final shot, who will take responsibility! And yes of course who work for the team and defend. Develop game changers.

Jordan made greatness happen because of his relentless mentality and attitude. He wouldn’t accept lower standards. He drove players continually to be at their best. To be ready and prepared to be the best. To step up when it mattered. He brought players up, not down. If they didn’t want to come up there with him, then go somewhere else. This was championship standards and expectations. 

Is this any different to what we expect and coach in young players? We are patient, understanding and caring, but we are demanding aren’t we? We stress high standards, teach discipline and character. Jordan was just doing what a good coach does. 

Steve Kerr’s development at the Bulls is evidence of this. His fight with Jordan earned him respect as he proved that he would stand up for himself. Trust was earned and built. And then he stepped up in a key moment to help the team win in ‘97. He had ‘earned his wings’, had produced when it mattered. Jordan had moulded a winner. Look at what Kerr has won as a player and coach and it’s clear that Kerr is a success story of the Jordan/Jackson culture. Not saying he is like Jordan, but he was elevated from a place of mediocrity. He had the willingness to learn and develop, to become better, he persevered even when it was tough. A great lesson for players. 

A great player needs a great coach and team

“Phil had this knack, no matter how big you or how big you think you are, to always draw you in to make you a part of the process”

Without Jackson would the team have been as great? Jackson was able to bring out the best in Jordan as both a scorer, winner and leader. Yes Jordan must have been tiring and hard at times to train and play with. But this was the culture which brought success. 

Jackson deserves the credit he gets, from his success at the Bulls and the Lakers. It’s not just because he has the best players but he is able to mould a great team. His ideas are somewhat unorthodox in the macho world of male sports; his belief in Zen Buddism, yoga and meditation, and Native American culture. These are different concepts to many other coaches. And it proved that it worked. 

My advice would be though, not to copy for the sake of replication. This is Jackson’s beliefs and philosophy. Be true to yourself. What do you believe in? Because players and staff know when you’re bullshitting. 

Importance of teammates

There’s been some frustration from members of the Bulls team that this documentary was too much about Jordan and others didn’t get enough credit or praise. Well it is his documentary! And guess the bias from his perspective is understandable. But surely you don't need to be told that the players on this team were key to the success? Scottie Pippen was there for every championship. Him and Jordan were a great leadership team who drove the team and brought the best in each other. Without each other would they have been as successful? Horace Grant was an important part of the team like Rodman was. 

Success doesn’t happen because of one player. It takes a team. A great staff. A strong organisation. Jerry Krause deserves a lot of credit for putting those teams together. Jordan had pieces added constantly to give him more weapons. That’s what team-building is about. 

And the best player? Well he needs to be the difference maker. He is the one when the game is on the line he provides a moment of magic. He pulls off the last second shot to win the game. Jordan was that player. I’m thinking of what Messi and Ronaldo have done in his career. In the biggest moments these players produce great moments to win for their team. Think what Gerrard did for Liverpool, John Terry for Chelsea and Sergio Ramos for Madrid. They step up when it matters. Different positions but key influencers. Think of the culture which Alex Ferguson created at United, the ability to come through in the final moments. 

This adds to the fear factor element. These players and teams have an aura about them, the opposition are afraid before they’ve even started, they have almost lost before the whistle goes. Jordan created that at the Bulls, they were dominant because many feared them, were overawed by them. Think of the dominant Mike Tyson before a fight, when his opponent looked away he knew it was over already. This is what greatness is. Fear. Intimidation. Dominance. 

Lessons from MJ

Work ethic

Without question one of Jordan’s greatest traits, why he was so good, is because he worked hard to develop his game. He did the extras, he practiced hard, refined his game, day after day. He worked on his skills, his shooting and his physicality. He kept himself as a prime athlete (for the era) and was able to be able to produce night after night, for over a decade. They say he was a ‘natural’ athlete; I don’t buy that, I see dedication and commitment to his athleticism. Putting in the time and hours needed to be a great athlete. That’s dedication, discipline and sacrifice right there. He earned what he got. How many can say they truly put in the work ethic to excel in their profession, yet alone be the best? 

And don’t forget what a student of the game he was, he watched, studied and learnt about his rivals and opponents. So when Karl Malone receives that pass his game IQ knows what is coming and what he can do to manipulate the situation. He was a very intelligent player. And an exceptionally hard worker. 

Focus – Being present

“Most people live in fear because we project the past in to the future. Michael’s a mystic. He was never anywhere else.”

His gift was not that he could jump high, run fast, shoot a basketball. His gift was that he was completely present. 

And that was the separator”

Just love this! It’s not a surprise that his coach would share the messages from Zen Buddism continually, the importance of 'staying in the moment'. Meditation being a key part of their culture. 

It sounds simple to say be in the present, but how difficult is it! Your mind wanders, a song comes in to your head, you get flashbacks, often negative ones. To be clear of all that and be fully focused on the task at hand, wow. That’s not easy. The separator indeed!

Being coachable 

It proves that Jordan wasn’t just great at being in the present, but that he was very coachable! 

There’s this feeling that he was a tyrant and did his own thing. Yet clearly respected Jackson who was the leader which Jordan needed. Jordan was a very coachable and intelligent player. You can see what with all his coaches. He took something from all of them. A lesson for young players – be coachable! 

Positivity 

“The biggest downfall of a lot of players who are otherwise gifted is thinking about failiure.

Michael didn’t allow what he couldn’t control get inside his head

Why would I think about missing a shot I haven’t taken yet?”

In the same aspect of being present, Jordan had an insatiable belief and confidence in himself. He didn’t let failure affect him. He became a winner because he didn’t quit. He kept coming back and getting better and better all the time. A positive mental attitude is essential to success. So many are negative and approach life with fear. Make excuses or embrace fear. You get what you put in I guess. 

Being clutch

“He’s a killer”

You don’t want Michael Jordan with the ball in his hands in the last seconds. Why? Because he was more than likely going to score and win the game. How? Because he had practiced his shooting to a level that he could nail shots at speed from different angles. And he had a belief that he would score.

Consider a 'normal' football session. You're lucky to take 5 shots in a session? Is that enough? Are you getting enough practice to develop your game changing/clutch ability? Frank Lampard would take balls out after training and work on his finishing, Crisitiano would go out with Rene Meulensteen to practice different finishing techniques, Beckham would practice for hours on his free kicks and Harry Kane will do a finishing session after a game to work on certain techniques to improve his finishing. What do they all have in common? They scored a lot of goals in important moments. It’s no accident. They worked very hard day after day to become clutch. Practice, practice, practice! Find the time to develop your game. Do the extras. 

Being clutch doesn’t happen overnight. It takes mistakes, failures and lots of practice. 

Leadership

A winner, “Whatever it takes”

He played to win. And did what he could in order to be a success. He drove his team to be better, to be winners. He brought the tenacity needed. Dealt with the physicality. Neve backed down. 

Winning isn’t easy. If it was, everyone would be a winner. 

Charisma 

He oozed charisma, which made him a global star and a very rich man. I think the key was that he was himself. Be confident in yourself, be honest and be your best you. 

Confidence

It’s pretty clear that he had a lot of self-confidence. As coaches do we seek to develop this in our players or break it down? I know I’d prefer a confident player than a player lacking confidence. And I wouldn’t want to be the reason that they lack that confidence. Enjoy your players, celebrate their success and praise their good moments. Be a support, a mentor. 

Committed

Jordan made the most of his opportunity. He took the Bulls to the best in the league. 

Don’t make excuses or wallow in self-pity. Do your best and maximise what you have. 

If you accept mediocrity you probably will get that.

Loyalty

He was selected by the Bulls and committed to the club and the city of Chicago. He didn’t moan or complain. It feels today that players are too eager to move clubs when they aren’t winning or happy. Loyalty feels like it’s been lost. It’s a shame really. Too easy to down tools and move somewhere else. Those who show loyalty to a team and give their all to make it a success. They are the true legends. 

Craftmanship

As he got older he developed his game and mind IQ to levels where he was in complete control of the game. His mind as well as body was at its best. We talk about ‘game intelligence’ and for me it is the ability to be aware of what is happening around you, to make excellent decisions consistently and to know how to control a game. 

In that game 6 finale Jackson had complete trust in Jordan to make the best decision. This trust takes time and coaches need to be conscious with young players to balance giving complete freedom, and also denying players to make decisions which may be ‘wrong’ but which are needed for players to see and develop better pictures. 

Why is it GK’s become better when they get older? Why CB’s develop their game further as they are more experienced and see the game better. It seemed Xavi only appeared in 2008 after his great Euro’s, at 28 years of age. Why? Because his game had being developed and refined to get to the world class levels he produced that tournament and beyond (yes I know he won the CL in 2006!). 

True craftmanship takes time to develop. Be patient.

“Started with hope”

When Jordan arrived no-one could have expected what would have happened 13 years later. What Jordan has taught us watching this documentary is that he was able to bring an organisation to greatness, that he was able to make his own destiny. Through positivity, self belief and a work ethic which is hard to match, not impossible, but hard he achieved greatness. 

Starting a new job, working with a new team, start with hope. Approach it positively, embrace the challenge and set an objective. Then work relentlessly to get to that point. Perhaps you don’t win 6 titles. But I’m sure you come close. 

The Whitehouse Address @TheWAddress

I appreciate you spending the past few weeks reading my reflections. What a truly great series. It's been special.