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Reading: Former Bulls Coach Doug Collins Told The Story Of How Michael Jordan Scored 50 Points To Ensure He Would Win His First Game: “Coach, Take A Drink Of That Water… I’m Not Going To Let You Lose Your First Game.”
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Home > NBA News & Analysis > Former Bulls Coach Doug Collins Told The Story Of How Michael Jordan Scored 50 Points To Ensure He Would Win His First Game: “Coach, Take A Drink Of That Water… I’m Not Going To Let You Lose Your First Game.”

Former Bulls Coach Doug Collins Told The Story Of How Michael Jordan Scored 50 Points To Ensure He Would Win His First Game: “Coach, Take A Drink Of That Water… I’m Not Going To Let You Lose Your First Game.”

Divij Kulkarni
Jul 13, 2022
3 Min Read
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Michael Jordan is the basketball GOAT for most people that follow the NBA, and his accomplishments are too numerous to list. Throughout his career, MJ played every season with hunger and ferocity, finding new ways to improve on his greatness, and eventually led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships in 8 seasons, leading what is arguably the best team ever. 

It wasn’t just Jordan doing everything, though, most know that his Head Coach during his most successful seasons with the Bulls was the legendary Phil Jackson. But before Jackson became the coach of the team and changed some things about Jordan’s game, there was another coach that unlocked Jordan and helped him grow and win his first MVP. 

Dough Collins coached the Bulls from 1986 to 1989, giving MJ free reign on offense and putting the ball in his hands. Although the Bulls weren’t able to get beyond the Eastern Conference Finals during his time, he and MJ shared a special bond. And it started as early as Collins’ first game in charge of the team, against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. He once shared the story on 94 WIP SportsRadio.

“Two minutes to go in the game, the game was tied. I’m soaking wet with sweat. I’ve chewed my gum to a powder. It’s around my mouth.”

“And I saw this hand come out with a cup of water. And it was Michael Jordan. And he looked at me and said, ‘Coach, take a drink of that water. Clean that stuff off your mouth. I’m not going to let you lose your first game!'”

The one thing that defined Jordan during his playing career was his sheer hunger and will to win. There was nothing that could get between MJ and his desire to win and help his team win. After telling his coach this, MJ would go on to drop 50 points in the game on 48% from the field, with the Bulls winning 108-103. It’s stories like these that remind people exactly how special he was during his prime. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIyJbWyoWrk

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TAGGED:Michael Jordan
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ByDivij Kulkarni
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Divij Kulkarni is an NBA columnist for Fadeaway World. He has covered the NBA and the English Premier League, with 4 years of experience in creating sports content. Finding exciting and intriguing content about all things NBA is both his job and his passion. Divij loves the Dallas Mavericks and can be regularly observed getting emotional during games. Outside of basketball, he enjoys reading fantasy and sci-fi novels, consuming copious amounts of movies and TV, and spending time with his dog, Olivia. Expertise: NBA, Historical Sports ResearchFavorite Team: Dallas MavericksFeatured On HoopsHype, Sports Illustrated, Secret Base, MSNPrevious Work: Tribuna
Previous Article Patrick Beverley Wants To Know If The Utah Jazz Plan To Win Or To Tank: “The Only Thing I Do Is Make Playoffs, I’m Tryna Win.”
Next Article 1988 NBA All-Star Game: Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Isiah Thomas vs. Magic Johnson, Hakeem Olajuwon, Karl Malone
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