MJ Mondays | Michael Didn't Want Anybody to Have Nothing on Him

One of the teams that I was coaching this year had one a few tournaments in a row, and they started feeling good about themselves. They work hard and they are talented. But I feared that they would let their ego get in the way of getting better.

When I was re-watching (again) The Last Dance, I heard Coach Phil Jackson say, "You are only a success at the moment you perform a successful act. You have to do it again."

I thought that this might be a great message for my team. Enjoy the moment. Enjoy and celebrate success, but understand that you can't live in that moment forever. 

In 1992, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls became only the 4th NBA franchise to win back-to-back championships.

Prior to the 1992 season, the team talked about the difficulties of repeating, but the 1992 team was even better than the championship team in 1991. 

BJ Armstrong said, 

"Starting with that season, I felt Michael Jordan never played basketball anymore. He just figured out how to win the game. He knew how to steer momentum. He knew how to get guys going. And not only was he that good on the offensive end, he was just as good on the defensive end. He was just playing a different game than the rest of us. He let us play, but he was there to win the game. And he knew that, and once he figured that out, you couldn't beat him."

The Bulls had to beat Clyde Drexler and the Portland Trail Blazers to repeat as champions. Clyde and Michael were considered to be two of the best players in the world at the time, and the world was looking forward to this matchup. Michael said that Clyde was a threat, but he took offense to people comparing him to Clyde. 

Magic Johnson, an NBA legend who MJ and the Bulls beat in 1991 to win their first NBA championship said, 

"The night before game one, we're at Michael's house playing cards, and he said, "You know what's going to happen tomorrow. I'm going to give it to this dude." 

Michael hit an NBA record 4 three-pointers in the first half and an NBA championship record 35 points at the half. Magic said, "Michael didn't want anybody to have nothing on him." Michael worked hard, he was successful, and he celebrated his success. But then he got back to work for the next season.

A good rivalry is healthy competition. It can push you to be better. Michael Jordan always found ways to keep himself motivated.

What motivates you? What keeps you working hard? What keeps you inspired?