4 Lessons The 1990s Bulls Taught Us

The Chicago Bulls of the 1990s were a case study in the ways of champions.  Littered throughout their historic reign at the top of the National Basketball Association were valuable lessons ranging from professional development to the role of Zen in the workplace.

For the purpose of narrowing down the list, I’ll focus on my most observable as a Bulls fanatic. The main drivers of which were set in motion long before their reign atop the NBA:

1. Competition Will Either Promote You Or Expose You

In 1984, the Chicago Bulls drafted Michael Jeffrey Jordan from the University of North Carolina with the third overall pick in the NBA draft.   Jordan was a rare blend of athleticism and creative scoring ability that instantly boosted the overall cachet of the organization. That’s a fancy way of saying that he put butts in the seats.

He was a proven winner with a comic book backstory only amplified by his Gold medal at the Los Angeles Olympics. A medal he received just a few months after being named the College Player of the Year.

By his third season in the NBA, Jordan averaged 37.1 points per contest and was considered the most prolific scorer in the game of basketball.  Historians would remind you that he was also acknowledged as one of the best defenders in the NBA at that time. 

His team, however, would be ousted from the playoffs early and in convincing fashion for the third straight year by 1987.  The following season was slightly better but the end result was also postseason elimination by their rivals the Detroit Pistons. They used the “Jordan Rules” to fluster Jordan. 

Michael Jordan filled the statistics columns in the 1980s as Chicago’s battle-tested Super Star, but his play alone wasn’t enough to defeat the “Bad Boys” who held the crown. In order to change that, it would require a shift in organizational focus and roster composition to sure up their weaknesses. The first piece was new Head Coach Phil Jackson and his triangle offense.

Even stars need guiding lights

2. You’re Not A Leader Unless People Follow

In the Spring of 1987, the Chicago Bulls turned their attention to the NBA draft and traded future selections to acquire a little-known player out of Central Arkansas named Scottie Pippen.  Scottie Pippen was raw in his ability but provided the much needed “Robin” to Michael’s “Batman” and quickly became the team’s defensive stopper all while continuing to hone his craft under the tutelage of his new mentor. 

Team rivals now had to account for the rising threat of Scottie Pippen on offense as opposed to previously being able to focus solely on Jordan. The Bulls could also now count on Scottie to guard opposing players that were a threat without any drop-off. When Jordan was having an off night he could lean on Scottie to help him carry the weight at any given moment. The team now had balance in the form of two future Top 50 players in their era.

The Bulls quickly developed into a league powerhouse on the backs of their two new superstars and key role players.  Michael Jordan was said to be a driving force at all times, especially in practice. His teammates would comment that nothing was shocking on game nights given what they saw every single day when no one was looking.

Even though his points per game dropped by six once Pippen got rolling (not an insignificant amount for someone consistently in the hunt for Scoring Champion), Michael made up for it in wins. MJ became the leader of a team that went on to win three consecutive NBA Championships beginning in 1991.

3. Sometimes You Have To Step Back To Appreciate The Bigger Picture

On Oct. 6, 1993, Michael Jordan announced his first retirement from the game of basketball only months after the still-unsolved murder of his father James. A very calm Jordan addressed the media at a press conference telling them he no longer was motivated to prove anything on the basketball court. There was plenty of speculation about other possible catalysts for his decision but eventually, those rumors were replaced by an even bigger one. Michael Jordan was going to follow through on his childhood dream of becoming a professional baseball player.

By the Spring of 1994 that was no longer a rumor or a dream as Michael Jordan laced up for the baseball field instead of the basketball court. As a member of the Chicago White Sox’ Minor League club the Birmingham Barons, MJ flashed some potential.

The level of commitment and sacrifice required to excel as a Minor League Baseball player is well documented. Minor League Baseball in the United States is the destination for many of the elite level baseball prospects in the world. Michael Jordan was a legendary basketball player but an elite level baseball prospect he was not. His baseball career, although promising, ended once the Major League strike started after just 436 at-bats.

By March of 1995, Michael made his next step known with a two-word fax reading simply,

"I'm back."

Three games into his return he proved that by scoring 55 points on the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. He wore the number 45 that game because the Bulls had just retired his 23 jersey. A few weeks later it was back in action again. Jordan was back, and this time taking numbers.

4. The Difference Maker Might Be Different

Although Jordan’s return made a meaningful impact on a then struggling Bulls team, they needed more help after losing to Orlando in the 1995 playoffs.

The Bulls acquired the eclectic and memorable rebounding specialist Dennis Rodman. He was exactly what the team needed. His tattoos, tie-die hair and unique jersey number selection all betrayed his style on the court. He played with dramatic flair and high energy. He was an edgy player always pushing the boundaries of his opponents. He was the freak show on and off the court. He was the spark when it was needed the most. His differences were the difference.

The Chicago Bulls went on to win three consecutive NBA Championships for the second time.

In a league full of some of the best basketball talent the game has ever seen, their six titles were fueled by tenacity, mentorship, and inclusion. This could be a “don’t put your eggs all in one basket” story or a work culture mission statement. The applicability of this Jordan era story always seems limitless.