Shocking Similarities between 2016-17 Thunder and 1988-89 Bulls

Collins over utilization of Michael Jordan

In the 1988-89 season, Michael Jordan averaged 32 points, 8 assists and 8 rebounds per game.  What makes these numbers more incredible are his teammates, or the lack thereof.  Scottie Pippen was the Bulls second leading scorer at a mere 14 points per game.  Furthermore, Jordan was the

Bulls second leading rebounder behind only Horace Grant and on a team with six players 6’10 or taller.

In that same year, Jordan was used as both a shooting guard and point guard and led the team in assists (8 per game).  Starting point guard John Paxson averaged just over four assists per game.  Jordan was truly a jack of all trades and played over 40 minutes per game.

Fans and Bulls management whispered and screamed about the overuse of MJ on a young and talented team.

The ‘Zen Master’ takes over:

Chicago Bulls management ascertained that three years of riding Air Jordan would lead to a sudden and devastating crash.  Removing the isolation heavy strategist Doug Collins for the ball-movement magician Phil Jackson brought Championships to the Windy City.  Jackson nurtured Pippen and brought out the best in veterans like Bill Cartwright and John Paxson.

Arguably the most important conversation Jackson ever had with MJ centered on him getting the notoriously proud Jordan to work within a system and trust his teammates. Helping him deliver the message was the book ‘Jordan Rules’ written by Sam Smith.

“That was probably a part of the dynamic,” said Jackson. “There were a lot of things that contributed to that. I think one of them was Michael playing in a system in which he had to form-fit himself into a group. He had to start trusting his teammates, which came from the appreciation of their individual skills and abilities. Finally, some of the shine came off the idolatry and the unbelievable press Michael got his first four or five years of his career where he could do everything from sew to cook.”

Oft referred to in numerous articles since, many felt the combination of the book and Jackson’s team concept led to the 5 titles that followed it’s publishing.

"Jordan was truly a jack of all trades and played over 40 minutes per game. Fans and Bulls management whispered and screamed about the overuse of MJ on a young and talented team."