Michael Jordan on whether the Bulls would win a ring under Doug Collins: "When he was our head coach, we were moving in that direction"

Michael Jordan on whether the Bulls would win a ring under Doug Collins: “When he was our head coach, we were moving in that direction” originally appeared on Basketball Network.

Michael Jordan‘s Chicago Bulls gradually improved throughout the late ’80s under a rotating cast of coaches. Doug Collins finally pushed them past the 50-win mark in the 1987-88 season and again in 1989-90. However, it wasn’t until Phil Jackson took over that Chicago became a true powerhouse, winning titles in 1991, 1992, and 1993.

Still, it raises an interesting question — if the front office hadn’t handed the reins to Phil, could Collins have taken them all the way? As expected of MJ, he kept that possibility on the table.

“I think that with the talent that we had on this team and how we were progressing even when he (Collins) was a head coach, we were moving in that direction,” Jordan said in a 1997 interview. “I think what happened when Phil came on, he gave us a system to work within. That’s when the Triangle basically evolved. Up to that point, it was a lot of individual talent, and Doug seemed to utilize that to the level that we were.”

“Could we have won it with Doug? I think we can sit here and debate it all the time, but I feel that the change was made, and we made the best of it,” added the five-time NBA MVP.

Doug laid the foundation

As “Black Jesus” highlighted, the difference between Collins and “The Zen Master” was apparent. The 1973 first-overall pick primarily relied on individual talent, while Jackson molded the talent around a structured offensive system.

That’s not to say Collins was wrong; the NBA is a superstar-driven league. Nonetheless, that approach put too much responsibility on Jordan’s shoulders and left the rest of the team standing around.

In the playoffs, predictability became a problem. Jackson’s triangle system, on the other hand, forced everyone to read, react, and contribute, ultimately lifting the burden off MJ’s shoulders and allowing the team to thrive collectively.

However, for Jackson, the Bulls’ title runs wouldn’t have been made possible without the groundwork Collins laid in three seasons prior.

“Let’s just say it this way: Doug gave great intensity to the team. Great work. Guys came in and worked real hard every day; they learned that work ethic and that is really important,” stated Jackson, who worked as an assistant under Collins.

Scottie Pippen echoed the sentiment. “Pip” was dealt to Chicago from Seattle on a draft day trade in Collins’ second head-coaching season. The 6’7″ forward felt Collins’ talent-first approach helped him and Horace Grant find their footing on the team and the league.

“I think he really made a mark on myself and Horace, who were young players, because he used his intensity night in and night out to push us and get the best out of us while we were still young players,” the 10-time All-Defensive forward said.

Collins’ history with MJ

Doug’s coaching approach produced one of the best individual seasons in basketball. In 1988, the former UNC standout bagged his first MVP award and a Defensive Player of the Year trophy. Thanks to Collins ‘ unshakeable trust in MJ, he was the first in NBA history to achieve such a feat.

Ironically, Collins also cost Jordan one of his records when the two were back together on the Washington Wizards.

“When I was coaching in Washington, we were playing with the Indiana Pacers, and we were down 25 at the end of the third quarter. I took Michael out of the game, and I said, ‘Look, Michael, I know you think we can still win this game, but we gotta play another game in two nights. If we’re gonna make a little run, I’m gonna put you back in,’ but we didn’t,” Collins recalled.

In doing so, Collins unknowingly ended MJ’s streak of scoring in double figures, which had reached 866 games. Jordan had just six points that night, and after the game, reporters swarmed Collins, eager to know how the star would take it.

As Collins recounted, Jordan wasn’t upset about the streak — he simply looked him in the eye and asked, “Do you think I can still play in this league?” He dropped 51 points the next game against the Hornets and 45 on the defending Eastern Conference champions, the New Jersey Nets, in the game after.

“Mr. Air” and Doug undoubtedly shared a strong basketball bond. Collins may not have been the one to bring the Bulls their first championship, but he helped lay the groundwork for it. His connection with Jordan ran deep, and his coaching years led to some of MJ’s most explosive performances.

While Collins may not have taken the Bulls to the mountaintop, he got them close enough for Phil to finish the climb. Without him, the dynasty may have never gotten off the ground.

This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.

Michael Jordan on whether the Bulls would win a ring under Doug Collins: “When he was our head coach, we were moving in that direction”

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