The Jordan Rules: The Inside Story of One Turbulent Season with Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls

by Sam Smith

Sam Smith’s seminal, New York Times bestselling “eye-opener” ( The San Diego Union-Tribune ) on Michael Jordan and the 1990-1991 Chicago Bulls team—perfect for fans of ESPN’s hit documentary series The Last Dance.

This is the book that changed the way the world viewed Michael Jordan, while delivering nonstop excitement, tension, and thrills.

The Jordan Rules chronicles the season that changed everything for Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. After losing in the playoffs to the “Bad Boys” Detroit Pistons for three consecutive years, the Bulls finally broke through and swept the Pistons in the 1991 Eastern Conference Finals, on the way to their first NBA championship.

Celebrated sportswriter Sam Smith was there for the entire ride. He reveals a candid and provocative picture of Michael Jordan during the season in which his legacy began to be defined, and seeks to figure out what drove him. The Jordan Rules covers everything from his stormy relationships with his coaches and teammates and power struggles with management—including verbal attacks on general manager Jerry Krause and tantrums against coach Phil Jackson—to Jordan’s obsessions with becoming the leading scorer, and his refusal to pass the ball in the crucial minutes of big games. Jordan’s teammates also tell their side of the story, from Scottie Pippen, to Horace Grant, to Bill Cartwright. And Phil Jackson—the former flower child who blossomed into one of the NBA’s top motivators and finally found a way to coax Jordan and the Bulls to their first title—is studied up close.

“Smith takes us into the locker room, aboard the team plane and team bus, and seats us on the bench during games. Sometimes, books reflecting on a team’s success don’t reach the personal level with the people who made it happen: The Jordan Rules does” (Associated Press).

Discover the team behind the man, and the man behind the living legend, in this intense, fascinating inside story of the incomparable Michael Jordan.

Genres: Sports, Basketball, Nonfiction, Biography, History, Biography Memoir, Business

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Sam^^Smith is an NBA writer for the Chicago Bulls website bulls.com. He is the author of multiple articles and books, including The New York Times bestseller, The Jordan Rules.

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had this book on my to-read list for a while, and watching The Last Dance documentary moved it to the front. I really enjoyed it, though Sam Smith’s writing is a little corny. That style probably comes from being a daily sportswriter.

This book covers the Bulls 90-91 championship season - the team’s first of six. It’s interesting to read a book about Michael Jordan before he becomes THE Michael Jordan. Everything written about him now kind of covers him in a glow that covers over his faults.

When you listen to his teammates interviewed now they talk about Jordan as one of the greatest things that ever happened to them. But in the interviews for Smith’s book, they mostly want to kill him (and for good reason - Jordan was a jerk). Winning six championships covers a multitude of sins.

I love behind-the-scenes sports reporting, and Smith does a great job highlighting all the drama in and around the team. It was a team in turmoil - Phil Jackson was trying to turn them from “Jordan and the Jordanaires” to a balanced team that could actually do some winning in the playoffs. That meant Jordan taking less shots and buying into the triangle offense, and this season is when you start to see that finally happen.

(Interestingly, Jackson now says that the publication of this book helped shame/convince Jordan into playing more team ball.)

Today we think of the 90s Bulls as a perfect team, but in 1991 Jordan hated Phil, the players hated Jordan, they all hated the GM, and it certainly didn’t look like they would even stay together long enough to win one title, much less the six they ended up with.

A couple of notes:

- In March 1991, during the Gulf War, Phil Jackson predicts 9/11!!!!! The scenario he described is eerily close to what happened ten years later.
- In the Kindle version, it looks like they have put in the Epilogue (about Jordan’s first retirement, probably added in 1994), ahead of the Afterword (about the 1991-92 season, probably written for the paperback version in 1992). These should be reversed.

[07EthanW Wibben · Rating 5 out of 5]

What struck me the most in the book was the attitude that Jordan had toward basketball. In the book Jordan talks about how he could not wait for his contract to end so that he could retire and play golf. I would think that the arguably best basketball player would never want to quit and would want to play for as long as possible and win as much as possible. I would defiantly read more books by Sam Smith. He did a great job getting a lot of information and quotes from the players and made a great nonfictional story. This book makes a reader feel different emotions. When it talks about how poor Scottie Pippen’s family is it makes the reader feel bad for the all star. The book talks about how Scottie bought a house for his mom and would spend most of the off season with him. It angers a reader when it talks about how Michael would refuse to pass the ball to his open teammates and the Bulls would lose because of it. I discovered that by reading this book that many teammates of Jordan did not like him because of how he refused to pass the ball when he was losing. By reading this I learn that if I work on something with a group of people I should not take control and do everything when others are willing to help. By not letting them do anything they will grow a hatred for me. They might not tell me but they will defiantly tell the others of the group about their feelings toward me.

[Kusaimamekirai · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you were a kid growing up in the late 1980’s and early 90’s, Michael Jordan was most likely a god to you. He was a ubiquitous, towering presence peering down from billboards and exhorting you from your tv screen with that smile to be like him. I know that I drank gatorade and wanted Air Jordan sneakers like all my friends did. Why wouldn’t you after all want to be like a man who could seemingly walk on water and fly at the same time?
When “The Jordan Rules” was published in the Fall of 1991, it sent shockwaves through the sports world in its unflinching portrait of a Michael Jordan who seemed almost unrecognizable from the carefully managed persona we had all come to know. This Jordan frequently gambled large sums of money (often with questionable characters), mercilessly berated and belittled his teammates, and seemingly cared more about his personal statistics than what was good for the whole of the team.
While these things may be true, he was also a relentlessly hard worker who expected the same from his teammates and was frustrated by anyone who didn’t put forth the same effort he did in the way that genius all too frequently has a way of distorting our image of what others around us are capable of.
He was someone who always had time for small children, often donating his time before each game to meet with a sick child to lift their spirits.
He was a man fiercely loyal to his family who was devastated at the senseless murder of his father.
In short Jordan was a human being. Capable of pettiness but also generosity. Quick to anger but also capable of kindness and a warm smile to those he trusted.
While this book angered Jordan and a large number of his fans who were understandably upset to see the curtain pulled back to expose the flaws of their hero, this book in fact brings him closer to us than the marble man we thought him to be.
As a child of Jordan’s era who was unaware of any of this and just wanted to see him soar through the air one more time, I can look back now as an adult at the man who gave me so much joy and appreciate that his flaws make him more like myself than I was capable of knowing back then. No matter what anyone may say, this is no bad thing.

[Joe Loncarich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally read this book, you know, 25 years after it was relevant, but it's a great look into that Bulls first championship team of the 90s. At first I thought it was amazing that it didn't harm Jordan's reputation more, but then I realized that books are for nerds, and there's no place for nerds in sports.

[Jose Tagle · Rating 5 out of 5]

lms for TBH!!!! so bored at school -___-

[Tanner Cicale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t even know where to start with this book. As a massive basketball fan that’s a bit younger, this book was everything I wanted it to be and more. My entire time as a fan of the game, I was only able to know of Michael Jordan through stories I’d read on the internet or his inhuman-like highlights on YouTube, and being able to get to know as much as I did about Michael Jordan through this book was such a great ride. I always knew MJ was an icon and undoubtedly one of the GOATS, but I never knew the guidance and growth he had to go through before his championship days in order to achieve the ultimate goal. This book was an amazing look inside the 1990-91 NBA season as it follows the young and the then-selfish Michael Jordan and the implementation and growing pains of all-time coach, Phil Jackson. Phil Jackson’s arrival in Chicago changed the entire course of basketball history as it shows how he came into a team who’s only offensive game plan was “Michael-ball” and forced them, including MJ, to play within an established offensive system famously known as “The Triangle Offense” in order to get everyone to play as a team and eventually bring home that big ol’ Larry O’Brien trophy. This book taught me so much and gave me a whole new outlook on Michael Jordan’s era and basketball as a whole, and I would recommend this book to anybody even thinking about getting into basketball. Absolute 11/10

[dakejones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really interesting behind the scenes look at the 1991 Chicago Bulls season. I really enjoyed reading about the turmoil between all the players and how they were able to (spoiler alert) win the NBA Finals despite the fact that most of the players did not get along/like each other.

Also very interesting to read about Jordan and his general attitude to basketball/people and to realize how different he is. I gained a new appreciation for Phil Jackson and how his job was a lot more difficult than he probably gets credit for.

One of my favorite books I’ve read in awhile!

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Chicago Bulls were one of the least popular franchises in the NBA - until they drafted Michael Jordan. Jordan was selected with the third overall pick in the 1984 NBA draft, after playing three years at the University of North Carolina under coach Dean Smith. Jordan was truly a special talent, who was a fierce competitor. His drafting, along with the selection of Scottie Pippen, entirely changed the future of the Chicago Bulls, and made them into title contenders.
In 1984, the Bulls were still considered the laughing stock of the league, as they had not won a divisional title in more than twenty five years. Jordan came in and was determined to leave his mark. He won Rookie of the Year in 1984, and was just getting started. However, Jordan was a horrendous teammate and refused to pass the ball. This became a defining aspect of his career, and his teammates hated him. Jordan hated being second rate to anyone, and if he was not leading the team in shot attempts, he would go into a rage.
Jordan was a ruthless competitor however, and he took that passion all the way to the golf course. Jordan became an avid golfer and spent much of his free time on the course. Jordan was known to have a 7:00 am tee time on a day, and then show up to his Bulls game at 3:00. During every single break in the season, MJ goes back home to North Carolina to play golf. Jordan does not participate in any All-Star events other than the main Sunday night game, purely because he has to golf. Jordans golf addiction has bloomed into hopes of becoming a PGA pro one day. Jordan spends so much on golf, and goes so frequently that many clubs have begun to waive fees for him, just so he will come and play their course.
A big element of this book is Jordan's teammates, and their lives and careers. Scottie Pippen is often talked about, and his financial paranoia is very prevalent. Pippen grew up in rural Arkansas, and was extremely poor. So Pippen demands that his contracts get signed as soon as possible, to ensure he gets paid, and to ensure he does not run out of cash. Scottie also is terrified of a potential injury, whether it is bad, or very slight. If he misses one game, or misses out on any paychecks, he becomes very worried that he will fall back into poverty. Scottie also pays for many things for his family, and feels obligated to do so.
The Jordan Rules is an in depth view on what the Bulls were like, while Jordan was on the team. Jordan was certainly an exceptional athlete, but he was a horrible teammate and was widely known for being extremely greedy. Jordan practically ran the Bulls, and could scare the management into making choices. It wasn’t until Phil Jackson became head coach, that the Bulls got any real source of leadership and discipline. The Bulls did finally win their title, and many more with Jordan, but it was always a battle to keep Jordan happy, and somehow win games.

[Connor To · Rating 4 out of 5]

My name is Connor To, and I have the privilege to interview the best basketball player ever, Michael Jordan. A biography about his life, called The Jordan Rules, by Sam Smith, breaks down his whole basketball career. A humble legend, born in Brooklyn, New York. He is one of the hardest workers ever to play the sport, always motivated and determined to be the best, and hated to lose, most of all. His legacy changed basketball forever, and will be known as one of the greatest basketball players and athletes of all time. Here are some of the questions I asked him.

Q1: What were some of the main factors that lead to your great success?

Answer 1: Certainly my coaches, Doug Collins, and the best coach ever in basketball, Phil Jackson, had systems that I fell in love with and worked well in. My teammates too, John Paxson and Horace Grant early in my career, and Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Toni Kukoc, were some of my best. Without them, I would’ve never had the success I experienced. Chicago was such a welcoming city, and the fans are some of the greatest fans in all of sports. My parents also taught me how to be a man. I learned my work ethic from my dad, and he was a main factor in my life.

Q2: Throughout your career, what was one of the most memorable moments, or your greatest accomplishment?

Answer 2: One of my favorite memories was my first NBA championship. We had lost a tough 7 game eastern conference finals series against the Pistons in 1990, and I was not physically or mentally prepared to play that Pistons team. They were my toughest competition early in my career, and in 90’, they beat me up. Finally beating them in 1991, sweeping them, in fact, was a great feeling. I had trained so hard all summer, pushing my body to the limits. I had become bigger, stronger, and was ready to play that team again. We went on to play the Lakers in the finals, I had come too far to lose to a washed up team full of veterans. I played some of my best basketball that year, and that championship gave me the motivation to go after more and more.

Q3: What was the biggest setback during your career?

Answer 3: My second season in the league, I broke my foot in the third game of the season. I begged my coaches and trainers to let me play, but they insisted I let it properly heal, which looking at it now, was a great decision. I sat out for 64 games that year. I was truly devastated. I thought “Why me?” My career had just begun, I was so eager to win, and this injury put me in a place that was concerned about the future. I had no idea how this would affect me playing, or even for the rest of my life. My shoe sales went down, and I had to sit at home watching my team struggle. We were able to sneak into the playoffs, and I tried to play back at my true potential, but that year we didn’t make the finals. Luckily, my foot was back to 100% by the start of next season.

Q4: What do you regret about your playing career?

Answer 4: You probably already know the answer. After the 1992-1993 season, I retired from basketball. I thought it was the end, I didn’t have a motivation to play anymore. This decision was mainly fueled from my father’s death, as it controlled my emotions and actions. I took on baseball, and thought it would be a fun sport to pursuit. Now that I realize, I missed 3 years of my prime. No team would’ve stopped us, I could’ve won at least another ring, maybe more. Instead, I couldn’t control my emotions, and made the worst decision of my life. If I could go back, I would never make that choice again, and used my father as motivation to win for him.

Q5: Even when you were by far the best player in the league, why did you still work so hard? What was your motivation?

Answer 5: My parents taught me the work ethic that I have. Whenever they did anything, they never half-a##ed it. I wanted to be like my dad, and how he worked. So I always practiced like I played. I was addicted to winning, and being the best. I couldn’t stand losing, and practice was the only way I could get better. I worked till I couldn’t walk, and never stopped even when I was on top. I never saw practice as a time to rest, I saw it as a time to work and become an even better player. I liked to work. While others were sleeping, I was in the gym. I knew that I was working harder than everyone, and the results payed off. My parents would’ve never let me half-a## anything in life, and I would never have my work ethic without them.

Q6: What is your life like after basketball?

Answer 6: When I came into the league, I knew absolutely nothing about business, it was not an interest of mine. I had only focused on basketball. I came into the NBA with no intentions of attaching a marketing value to my basketball career. My agents pushed me into all types of brand deals, with Gatorade, Coca Cola, Hanes, and of course, Nike and Jordan Brand. I never would’ve seen myself where I am now at the start of my career. I also got interested in acting, in either movies or commercials, and now chairman of the Charlotte Hornets. They reached out to me after I began a coaching campaign, and I am excited and grateful to be apart of the Hornets. Because of my playing ability, it opened the windows to millions of possible brand deals, and lead me to become a billionaire.

Q7: Who were your greatest rivals?

Answer 7: Early on, it was Milwaukee. They were a divisional team, and one of the teams we played the most. We could never beat them. Even through the playoffs, they would still beat us. Eventually, we reached a level where we were a better team. And of course, the Pistons with Isaiah Thomas. They were a great physical team who beat me up early in my career. Isaiah was such a great player in his prime, and guys like Bill Laimbeer would kill me in the paint. That was the biggest step. It took us many years to overcome them, as we lost two years in a row in the playoffs to them. I pushed myself harder than I ever have, and was in the best shape of my life. Once we overcame them, there was no one who even matched to us, or would have that type of rivalry with.


Q8: How would you describe yourself as a basketball player on and off the court?

Answer 8: I always try to stay modest, because of who my parents taught me to be. I never held myself above anyone off the court. However, on the court, I do feel like I am the best to ever play the game. From the time I won my first championship until the last, I felt that no team could stand a chance to me. I dominated everyone that stood in my way, and after many missed playoff opportunities early on, I worked to the point where I felt like I was the best to ever play. The championships are merely reflections of my career. I know that people think of me as the best ever, and a hard worker. I hate to lose, and would train to the point where I couldn’t lose. People also off the court view me as a competitor in everything I do, whether from golfing to business. I always strive to succeed in everything. Some people view this trait as good or bad, but I am a very real person who doesn’t hold myself above anyone.

Q9: How did the death of your father affect you as a person?

Answer 9: I had been in pure bliss as the prime of my career was ensuing. We had just won three championships in a row, and were looking for more. After my father was kidnapped and killed, it broke me. I did have a gambling problem, which was especially evident in golf. I was confident that I was a good golfer, but ended up losing hundreds of thousands of dollars golfing. No connections were ever made between the people that killed my father and any mob, but I had been in some bad places with very bad people. That was why my initial reaction was that it was my fault. I was completely broken, my father meant everything to me. He was my role model, and who I looked up to and learned everything I know from. I did not want to play basketball anymore, I didn’t want to do anything anymore. I retired in the middle of my prime. I wasted the best years of my life playing baseball. It was the biggest regret of my life. Instead of playing for him, I quit the game. I eventually returned to basketball, but his murder left me heartbroken.

Q10: You have been the model of one of the most popular shoe and clothing brands across the world. How did the relationship with nike begin, and what is your role in Jordan today?

Answer 10: I never wore nike shoes, whether it be for basketball or lifestyle. I had offers from Adidas, Converse, and some others that all sounded the same. When Nike came to me, they were unique, as they offered me a signature shoe, and let me have an input in the shoe. I have never heard of a signature shoe, and gave me a new insight on the sneaker world. I told the designers about my personality and things that I like and things I feel people may like. We put all those thoughts into a brand, into the Jordan brand and into the shoe. As the company became more and more popular, I wanted to have Jordan as a separate brand from Nike. We began to have jordan expand from just the world of basketball, into other sports and lifetime shoes as well. Today, I am an independent endorser of Jordan brand. I approve all of the decisions for Jordan brand, and Jordan has grown to a company worth over a billion dollars. I am very proud of how far jordan has come, and can’t wait to see where jordan evolves to in the future.

[Keenan Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea that the Bulls first championship season was so dysfunctional. Jordan was selfish and hadn't realized yet that he couldn't win championships without the help of his teammates. This was the first season they implemented "the triangle" in an effort to force the ball out of MJ's hands, but he kind of refused to use the offensive system and I got the sense they never really mastered it that year. The entire team was frustrated with MJ and his special treatment. Pippen and Paxson were nervous about their contracts all year. Krause, of course, was the unifying hated man who was obsessed with getting Kukoc to come over the US. Stacey King basically quit the team.

[Patrick Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some parts of the book drag, and certain background details on a few individuals felt unnecessary. That said, it’s an interesting case study on the mentality behind building a great team. I found the discussion of the Gulf War particularly engaging, as it added an unexpected dimension to the narrative. I’m always intrigued by the idea that athletes like Michael Jordan might achieve greatness partly because of their egocentric nature, is that drive what truly sets them apart? Overall, it’s a decent read for anyone interested in the inner workings of dominant sports teams.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this after having watched The Last Dance on Netflix.

[Eddie Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is maybe a 4 star until the very last pages. When Sam Smith drops truth bombs about pro athletes being regular people and how we should view them. It was a lot of fun reading this during the airing of The Last Dance.

[Sean Polite]

Solid, revealing insider's tale on the MJ led Chicago Bulls. If you're interested in team psychology or the life of a pro sports team (or just a Bulls fan), this is the book for you. On a much deeper scale, what could be called a scathing analysis of Jordan in this book can also be viewed as a validation to the presence of the narcissistic, manically competitive shadows that complement the light of the gifted, excellent performers who are blessed to have achieved notable fame for it (in and out of sports). I didn't come out hating him at all, but felt a bit more knowing of his mystique, learning a bit more about how dynamic (and alienating) his drive was. All of the other players and staffers stand out on their own, but Smith focuses with laser accuracy on #23 much like the Detroit Pistons who crafted the hard nosed procedure of defensive style after which the book is named.

[Vent Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smith does a good job of giving insight into the frame of mind that the 1990-91 Chicago Bulls were in, going into and through the season. I like how every player and coach is given their own profile apart from Jordan, and how they are revealed as humans whose job is to play and coach basketball, not as the 2-dimensional people that they are portrayed as by sports media. Also, how they managed egos, agendas, and moods to win the title. Was a quick, yet informatively entertaining read for me.

[Poonam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic read - very insightful look into the Bulls first championship season. We all know how the story ends, but the book in written in such a way that you're completely hooked on the suspense. There were times I wondered how/if they'd get it together. It is very basketball heavy, so if you're not familiar with the specifics about basketball it might be hard to read.

[Vitalijus Sostak · Rating 2 out of 5]

For devoted basketball fans only.

It was a disappointment for me. Lots of space devoted to team intricacies during the 1991 season (who had what injuries, plans of trading players, personal situation etc), but comparatively quite little about MJ himself, despite the title.

For sports laymen like me - better watch The Last Dance on Netflix :-)

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5

I enjoyed the storytelling of the Bulls/MJ's first ring and that fairytale run and also appreciated the behind the scenes look at the turmoil that was brewing. It did feel a little long and dragged out though.

[Sidik Fofana · Rating 5 out of 5]

SIX WORD REVIEW: Jordan considered winner now, history revised.

[Aurélien Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

1990-91 was the first season when the Chicago Bulls won the NBA Championship led by Michael Jordan. It was also the year when the journalist Sam Smith, as a reporter for the 'Chicago Tribune', had followed them over these exciting few months, before revealing here his experience in a little book which caused quite a stir back in its days...

The thing is, the author goes behind the stardom and the glam to expose a team then in a constant state of flux, tumultuous, and revolving so much around only one player (Michael Jordan), whose ego was so over-the-top that, one might wonder how they bloody managed to even win a championship! Here's indeed a deep investigation, throwing a bluntly honest light upon the Bulls, questioning its various architects evolving then at various levels, to display, without any naive adulation, the challenges faced by such a team at such a high level.

The book, of course, is mostly centred around Michael Jordan. The title is, in fact, an hint to Chuck Daly's strategy (then coach of the Bulls' nemesis -the Detroit Pistons) in order to counteract the legend on the court. It's also an hint to the fact that, even within his own team, Jordan beneficiated of privileges otherwise denied to his teammates, a favouritism which, as the author demonstrates, had plagued the Bulls for quite a while by undermining their team spirit. Fans, then, will appreciate: here is exposed a great player for who he truly was, an incredible athlete whose feats on the court were also the product of a unpleasant personality -arrogance, pride, selfishness, and such a high competitive spirit it bordered on the ridiculous.

Having said that, Jordan is far from being the only one getting portrayed 'unkindly', even if respectfully in regards to his deeds as a player. In fact, here's a book which worth a read for exposing how many are in the world of sports at such a high level: egocentric athletes, the worshipping of the king $$, poisonous consumerism, fetishist and/ or hysterical medias... It's also fascinating, obviously, for its historical interest. Here indeed we also see coming into shape, slowly, the dynamic which will make the Bulls invisible -from Jordan maturing under Phil Jackson's coaching to Scottie Pippen finding his place within the puzzle, or, again, the multiple attempts (at times laughable) to buy Toni Kukoc...

Going even beyond the 1990-91 season to put it into perspective within a whole history, the author also describes some key games with both a punchy style and poetry, retelling victories won over Detroit, LA, New-York... It's a pure regal for anyone who loves the game, and will bring back memories to whose who had the luck to see them!

Fascinating and multi-layered (Jordan himself, the Bulls as a team, professional sports...) here's a read that anyone enjoying sports without being of a naivety as to what such world involves will surely appreciate!

[Kedar Deshpande · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you watched The Last Dance on ESPN, this is the real story without the gloss of TV. It's good journalism, riveting, funny and deeply insightful with much more detail than the documentary. The writer, Sam Smith, was unfairly attacked by the public for his work, but it goes to show you that people want heroes, and don't want to hear that their sports gods are flawed human beings and their beloved teams are for-profit, greedy businesses.

You see the frustration, pettiness, anger, stress and fear of being a Bull, or even just a professional athlete. Think of this as a workplace drama where the workers are beloved millionaires who air grievances to newspapers instead of HR.

Michael Jordan is portrayed fairly, as a fear-inducing genius who is aloof with his teammates, but gregarious and open with the world. He torments his fellow players, belittling and insulting them, but struggles with his own greatness and high standards.

The supporting characters - - - Grant, Pippen, Cartwright, Paxson, Armstrong, King and others - - - are given their due and come across as fully human as they struggle to work under Jordan's shadow. They complain, fight, bicker over money, bicker over playing time, and crave decency in a world where they are highly paid widgets to be abused, traded or thrown out the moment they have no more value.

The coaches and management also become real, as they struggle to manage money, fan expectations, and prima donna players.

Pro-tip: more recent versions of the book feature forwards and afterwords that fill in even more detail about what happened after the 1990-91 Bulls season chronicled in the book.

[Mindaugas Mozūras · Rating 3 out of 5]

He can do whatever he wants. It all comes so easy to him. He’s just not a basketball player.

The Jordan Rules follows the Chicago Bulls during the 1990/91 season. It's a chronological accounting of what happened and why. I found the book boring at times, wishing the author would've decided to skip some of the less exciting months. Or at least decided to give them less focus.

The two most interesting characters are Jordan himself and Phil Jackson. Jordan comes off as a flawed human being, who's sometimes an asshole (to no surprise of this reader). Jackson comes off as a smart coach, whose mind games must've have been annoying at times.

Overall, I found this book to be interesting and good, but not great. If you're enamoured with the Jordan era Bulls, you might like it more.

[Parker Howie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book goes into great detail how Jordan was both a great competitor and a terrible teammate. When it gets to the point of how/why Jordan changed his play style to finally get the Bulls over the hump. It is simply explained as “he showed up to a game and played differently”. Great stories about who the role players were of this team and insight into Phil Jackson.


Still believe Jordan could not have comeback down 3-1 to the Warriors

[Roger Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enlightening is the best way I can describe. The book does a great job of removing you from the revisionist history that often comes along with sports stories and shows the reader the trials and tribulations that come along with top-level competition. I learned a lot here and would highly recommend.

[Jamal Collier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book when I was younger helped open my eyes to what journalism could be. Still holds up all these years later. Gives insight to all the major members of the team: their feelings, insecurities, and what motivates them. Gives a real picture of what it was like to play with and underneath the stardom of Michael Jordan and how unpleasant that can be. Just a fantastic book.

[Mark Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not get enough MJ content after the Last Dance, so I decided to read this. Did not disappoint. Great story about the 90-91 Bulls team. If you like basketball, or sports journalism, you should read this. The book holds up, even though it is older.

[Lexi]

This book is super cool, but it was written in the 90s as a "guy documenting a specific moment in time" kind of deal and sadly, some modern context is needed. Its pretty dry despite being a cool insight into the Bulls from the 90s and I think I would have prefered it via audiobook.

[Quinn Rhodes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jordan had the heart of a champ, but pretty cool to see the locker room friction and how six championships was never inevitable

[Micheal Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

this man MJ is a sociopath

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d like to see this kind of book for the following NBA storylines:
The Lebron James Miami Heat Era
The Warriors-Cavs Finals Quadrilogy
Bill Russell vs Wilt Chamberlain
The Kobe-Shaq Lakers