How to Be Like Mike (3 page)

Work.
Difficult as it is to recall, MJ did have weaknesses when he entered the NBA, but he worked tirelessly to improve and soon those weaknesses—defense and outside shooting— became his added strengths.

Perseverance.
MJ won through his will. He was such a tough opponent because he would never quit. I can speak firsthand as to how frustrating that is to an opponent!

Responsibility.
MJ lives—and thrives—under a microscope. I believe this visibility intensifies his sense of responsibility to his sport, family, community and country.

Influence.
What an influence and impact MJ has been to millions—not simply to the wannabes on the playgrounds—but to us in the NBA, too. Tracy McGrady, Shaq, Kobe, Allen Iverson and I are still striving to emulate him—yes, to be like Mike! He is truly the role model’s role model. He personifies how to conduct oneself on and off the court.

Competing and Winning.
I believe his competitive juices boil. It is known far and wide that MJ hates to lose, be it a simple card game or a Game Seven in the Finals. He always wants to win and that championship passion fuels him.

Teamwork.
MJ is the ultimate one-on-one player, yet he understands that winning big is determined by involving his teammates. Putting that philosophy in sneakers daily translated into a dynasty of six titles in eight years.

Leadership.
MJ leads by example. He demands no more from his teammates than he demands from himself.

Respect, Trust, Loyalty.
Michael has a great respect for the game and the people in the game, and he reveres his predecessors who provided the foundation for today’s NBA. When you respect people, they trust you, and trust breeds loyalty. For example, the loyalty MJ had for coach Phil Jackson is rare in our profession.

Character.
Michael is certainly not perfect. He is flawed like the rest of us. It is obvious to those of us who know him well, and probably to even casual observers, that quality of character has been embedded in his make-up. How else can one explain his self-discipline, humility, honesty, integrity and courage?

Pat Williams and Michael Weinreb have captured the essence of Michael Jordan in an extraordinary way. This book is thoroughly researched, and the lessons from MJ’s career are so vividly explained that you will be able to apply them in your life. When you have “completed the MJ course,” you will discover that all of us can be like Mike.

August 1, 2001
Orlando, Florida

WORD OF TRIBUTE

By Doug Collins
Head Coach, Washington Wizards

Anyone who knows Michael Jordan and is asked to comment about him runs the risk of running out of superlatives but is never in danger of being accused of hyperbole. My first head coaching job in the NBA was with the Chicago Bulls, and I had the privilege of coaching Michael early in his pro career.

Not only is Michael a coach’s dream, but he’s a sportswriter’s/commentator’s godsend because in reporting on his achievements on and off the court, it takes little time to compose a litany of praise.

When reflecting on MJ, these words immediately come to mind . . .

• ultimate competitor

• quintessential example

• punctual

• prepared

• respectful

Michael brought his“A game” every night, no matter who the competition was. Before each game I would observe him dealing with the media and his legions of fans, and then, as if an alarm would sound in his head, his focus would shift, and you could read in his eyes, “I’m ready for combat.”

He would bring that same intensity to practice and win every sprint. He was always punctual, and he set an example for his teammates by working hard daily. His professionalism and leadership meant that I didn’t have to say a whole lot to get the players motivated. His inner fire served to spark his teammates to perform at their highest level.

Michael was the most fundamentally sound player I have ever seen. Rick Majerus, head coach at the University of Utah, would show his players a highlight film of what things Jordan, the ultimate player, would do on the court. The highlights contained no footage of Michael posterizing an opponent with a thunderous dunk or a dazzling, gravity-defying pirouette on the way to the bucket. What the tape did show, however, was Michael dishing assists, filling the lane, playing defense, diving after loose balls, taking charges. . . .

In my basketball career I have been associated with many great players, but there is only one Michael Jordan. No one that I have witnessed has his passion for the game. He is a gym rat at heart.

In addition to his incredible skill and performance level, he has a great respect for the fans, his coaches, the competition, his fellow players and the game itself. He respects those who preceded him in elevating the level of play in the NBA, particularly Julius Erving.

To this day when I think of Michael Jordan, I get a warm feeling. He gave me the chance to be successful as a coach, and I will be forever grateful for that.