There was very little that Michael Jordan did not achieve in his stellar NBA career. Across 15 seasons as a professional he won six NBA championships, six NBA finals MVP awards and 14 nods for the All-Star Team.
But despite that incredible record, there is one glaring omission from his CV: a career as a coach. Fellow Hall of Famers Bill Russell, Isiah Thomas, Larry Bird and Jerry West all embarked on a career as an NBA head coach, but Jordan was never tempted to return to the competition.
In a recent interview with Marvin R. Shanken for Cigar Aficionado, MJ revealed why he decided to finish when he hung up his shoes.
“I have no patience for coaching,” Jordan explained. “My biggest problem from a competitive standpoint is the focus of today’s athlete and the focus where I saw the game, how I pursued the game — it changes and it’s totally different.”
“For me to ask an individual to focus on the game the way I played the game, in some ways would be unfair for that kid that would have to endure that.”
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Michael Jordan was accused of bullying teammates during his playing career, so intense was his competitive drive.Alexander HassensteinBongarts/Getty Images
Michael Jordan’s uncompromising mentality
As is the case in many sports, the path from elite player to elite coach is a clear and well-trodden one. Jordan’s former Bulls coach Phil Jackson won two championships as a player with the New York Knicks before turning his hand to coaching. Steve Kerr, Jordan’s former teammate, has racked up four rings as head coach of the Golden State Warriors.
But while they were able to moderate their competitive instincts in a coaching role, Jordan decided that he could not. As anyone who watched the ‘Last Dance’ documentary series will know, Jordan’s infamous will to win knows no bounds.
“I don’t think I would have the patience for it. So in essence, coaching is something that I’ve never really felt I could do from an emotional standpoint,” he admitted. “I’m much different and I have a different perception about things than what the kids do today.”
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