Over the course of many lonely rides on the El, I finished two books recently
about the crown prince of Chicago: Michael Jordan. Set roughly 10 years apart,
"The Jordan Rules" by Sam (my man) Smith, and "When Nothing Else Matters" by
Michael Leahy both offer an interesting look at how Jordan's desire and
'appetites' led to both great and disappointing results on the court.
Set during the Bulls' first championship during the '90-'91 , "The Jordan
Rules" is set at a time when Jordan was obviously regarded as a great player,
but perhaps not able to make others better and take his Bulls to the title.
Absurd as it may sound now, Jordan especially faced scrutiny after yet another
defeat in the 1990 Conference Finals against the champion Detroit Pistons. And
with very few personnel changes in the offseason (despite Jordan's pleadings for
more help), the team set out on a season-long journey to the top.
While the term 'Jordan rules' was actually named after Detroit's defensive
strategy against him, Jordan's sometimes preferential treatment by the
organization served as a the metaphorical meaning of the title. Throughout the
season Jordan engages in battles with the likes of Horace Grant, BJ Armstrong,
Will Purdue (who received a Jordan punch in the face) and perhaps most publicly
with GM Jerry Krause. But as described in the afterward section of the book,
Phil Jackson would serve as the 'hero' in this story. His ability to come from
basketball obscurity (an underrated Krause move) to accomplish with his team
what former coach Doug Collins couldn't (more on him later) gave him this 'hero'
title. Jordan's relationship with Jackson was always tense yet respectful, as
Jackson tried to get Jordan to share the ball more in the team's now-famous
triangle offense. This attempt to curtail Jordan within the offense did not
always work, but as Bulls fans can remember came through in the title-clinching
game when Jordan repeatedly found an open John Paxson who drove many a nail in
the Lakers' coffin.
Beyond the main story-arc, there are backgrounds on nearly every player, from
Scottie Pippen's humble upbringing to Craig Hodges' muslim faith. Also includes
the expected behind-the-scenes stories of trade and contract negotiations
between Krause (and chairman Jerry Reinsdorf) and the increasingly disgruntled
and underpaid players that they employed. I was really impressed in Smith's
ability to tell these mini-stories within the context of the regular season.
They really kept the book interesting in parts where as we know an NBA season
can get pretty dull.
Fast forward past 5 more titles and 2 retirements, where Michael Leahy of the
Washington Post offers his 'tell-all' portrayal of an older Jordan in "When
Nothing Else Matters". An outstanding character study into Jordan's desire for
victory in anything and everything, Leahy's book is perhaps the first book to
become critical of what Jordan can do to a team. While Jordan's berating of
teammates was found frequently in "The Jordan Rules", back then it was with the
underlying understanding that he was the best player in basketball. Practicing
and playing with such ferocity meant that you either had to bring your best when
playing with Jordan or be left behind. In Washington though, Jordan's lust for
competition bests his judgement as he moves from the executive office back to
the court, extending his desire to win to everything from late-night blackjack
to personal relationships with his teammates. His attitude coupled with his
inconsistent play led to the self-destruction the Wizards over 2 mediocre
seasons.
If Jordan was the main problem behind the Wiz's inability to make the
playoffs in each of the comeback seasons, than Doug Collins is 1-A. he was the
anti-Phil Jackson, a Jordan enabler, not forcing Jordan to rest his tendanitis-riddled
knees despite doctor's orders to the contrary. Worse was Collins' insistence of
his team to play in a slowed-down offense revolving around Jordan's array of
fallaway jumpers. When Jordan's shot was falling, the team was average-to-good.
However when they weren't, blame went from Collins' lips to the ears of the
young Wizards for failing to set up Michael properly. Soon players like Rip
Hamilton began to question the direction of the team, and we all know what
happened to him. While the book doesn't spend as much time covering the second
season of the comeback, by then veterans like Jerry Stackhouse and Byron Russell
feuded with Collins to the point where the team completely disintegrated right
in front of him.
This book delves more into Jordan's life off the court than his Washington
teammates, but like in "The Jordan Rules" I thoroughly enjoyed the character
profiles of Jordan's 'supporting cast', including Hamilton, Stackhouse, Courtney
Alexander and Tyrone Nesby, all who had to come to grips with playing with their
boss and completely deferring to him while trying to make a name for themselves
in the league. Another interesting character is Wizards owner Abe Pollin, one
person who Jordan failed to get the upper-hand over. Of particular pleasure to
read was a short aside of how Leahy's colleague Mike Wilbon let his relationship
with Jordan lead to him boycotting Leahy's work and never failing to let Jordan
use his column to provide a rebuttal for whatever negative press surfaced about
him.
You know by now that I treat any pining for Jordan's return to the Bulls
organization (mostly by Jay Mariotti) as a joke, and reading "When Nothing Else
Matters" did little to dissuade my opinion. While both great (and quick) reads,
Leahy's book shows what Jordan would bring to the Bulls now if he were asked
back. "The Jordan Rules" reads more like historical tale, a time when Jordan's
attitude was backed up on the court, and undoubtedly drove him to become the
best player ever. I recommend it especially to Bulls fans who want to relive the
glory days. But as Rip Hamilton said: "He was the best ever as a player.
As an executive? I'm not so sure."