Organizational Habits

The 90’s Bulls Top 3 Organizational Habits

Ian Warner

5 min read

There were a lot of great players who were in their prime in the ’90s like Gary Payton and Charles Barkley who never even got to sniff a ring because of these guys. The 96 season was even more special because the Bulls went on to win an NBA record 72-games in a season. They were just unstoppable because of the 90’s Bulls Top 3 Organizational Habits.

Quotes to Back The 90’s Bulls Top 3 Organizational Habits

“I want to do for rebounds what Michael Jordan did for dunks.” – Dennis Rodman

“I’m hungrier than those other guys out there. Every rebound is a personal challenge.”- Dennis Rodman

“My attitude is that if you push me towards something that you think is a weakness, then I will turn that perceived weakness into a strength.” – Michael Jordan

 “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.” – Michael Jordan

“Never say never, because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion.” – Michael Jordan

“The minute you get away from fundamentals – whether it’s proper technique, work ethic or mental preparation – the bottom can fall out of your game, your schoolwork, your job, whatever you’re doing.” – Michael Jordan

“Good teams become great ones when the members trust each other enough to surrender the Me for the We.” – Phil Jackson

90’s Bulls Top 3 Organizational Habits

#1 – Discover Your Own Destiny

Phil Jackson was great at allowing the Bulls players to figure out what their role on the team would be. He did not need to tell them who to be. Players had the freedom to change on their own accord. Phil was smart in knowing that forcing multi-millionaires to do things his way was not always an intelligent approach. If he wanted a player do something or to change, he had them to inspire them to make the change themselves. 

Michael Jordan was a great example of this on his quest to win his first championship. He was a star, and he was scoring like a mad man. When it came to the playoffs, they could not get past the “Bad Boy” Pistons. Phil has to site Jordan down and inspire him to score less and allow his team to step up more. Jordan eventually agreed and saw how scoring less could make them a better team. 

The Bulls were a team full of individuals who thought for themselves. Collectively, this is what defined the 90’s bulls. They were not just running around doing what MJ or Phill Jackson wanted. Each player had the freedom to find his role and his path to get there. 

#2 – Love The Mundane

The Bulls mastered the fundamentals of being a great NBA team. Behind the flashy outfits, the and huge contracts, the NBA lifestyle is a lot of hotels and a lot of going over the fundamentals. If you don’t love the fundamentals, you can’t be a championship team. It’s not about being flashy but being great at the things that others consider to be boring. Phil Jackson thought that working on the bounce pass was just as important as working on your most complex play. His teams would spend time meditating and bonding on things that had nothing to do with basketball. The players did not always know it, but they were being trained to have excellent habits that would pay off when the games were on the line.

#3 – Be Hungry to Learn and Adapt

Star athletes always come with a perception that they are arrogant and impossible to coach. Michael Jordan was one of the most coachable players that Phil Jackson ever had. He had a lot of respect for his college coach and how much he taught him. Jordan was also hungry to win his first championship, so he was willing to do whatever it takes to do that. 

When you have two leaders like Jackson and MJ that are willing to learn and change it flows throughout the organization. Whether it was players learning to adapt to the triangle offense or the strict leadership style of Micheal Jordan, you had to adapt to be on the 90s Bulls. 

The reason the bulls were able to stay on top throughout the 90s was that they were learning. They did not win a championship and settled in. When Jordan won his first championship, he was already thinking about his second. He did not take much time to celebrate because his mind was already preparing and learning for the next one. 

Summary of 90’s Bulls Top 3 Organizational Habits

1.

Find Your Own Path 

2.

Love The Fundamentals 

3.

Never Stop Learning