Legendary head coach Phil Jackson was a huge reason behind the success of NBA legend Michael Jordan. Even though Jordan took the league by storm ever since his rookie year, he could not translate it into team success. Despite scoring prolifically and giving his everything on the defensive end, he could not will the Chicago Bulls to a deep playoff run. Everything changed when Jackson took over the head coaching role. Other than his coaching prowess, Jackson was also a master man-manager with expertise in handling the egos of superstars. However, even he had rifts with some players on the roster on occasions.

Sports writer Sam Smith released his book ‘The Jordan Rules,’ in 1991. It chronicled the Bulls’ 1990-91 season. In the book, Smith revealed a serious encounter between Jackson and Stacey King, one of Jordan’s teammates.

Things escalated between Stacey King and Phil Jackson

After two years as an assistant coach, Phil Jackson took over as head coach of the Chicago Bulls in 1989. In the same year, the Bulls drafted Stacey King as the sixth overall pick. Interestingly, he was projected to be the #1 pick of the 1989 draft. However, King did not turn out to be a great addition to the Bulls squad. Furthermore, he caused headaches off the court as well.

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Sam Smith disclosed in his book that Jerry Krause told Jackson to fine King $250 and suspend him for a game for missing practice. He added that the suspension would dock around $12,000 from his salary. This did not sit well with King. He called Jackson a “hypocrite” for the veteran coach’s comments about him to the media while simultaneously asking the players to not complain in front of the media.

Then when the two met, things flared up. Smith wrote, “The meeting quickly turned ugly. ‘Look,’ King demanded, ‘I don’t give a sh*t if you play me or don’t play me. Just get off my f***ing back.'”

The author noted that Jackson isn’t someone who would get angry very easily. However, King’s comments angered the head coach. So he slammed King for his poor performances. The power forward then cursed Jackson and stormed out, recounted Smith.

King’s actions did not impress Michael Jordan 

The bust-up between Phil Jackson and Stacey King became the talk of the team. Michael Jordan was not pleased with King for his actions. Sam Smith noted that MJ said that he would suspend King for the whole year. However, he did not want to get involved. Jordan felt that was not how a coach should be treated.

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Despite his initial issues with Jackson, King played for the Bulls for six years from 1989 to 1994 and won three titles. After his playing years, King became an iconic commentator and is loved by the fans.