"He said, 'I heard you, but I really felt good'" - Phil Jackson recalled the moment Michael Jordan waved him off in a playoff game

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"He said, 'I heard you, but I really felt good'" - Phil Jackson recalled the moment Michael Jordan waved him off in a playoff game originally appeared on Basketball Network.
The great Phil Jackson is renowned for his unique coaching style, which set him apart from other NBA coaches. Unlike many of his peers, who often took a controlling approach, Jackson preferred a more relaxed and empowering method.
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However, there were rare instances when he felt it was necessary to step in and call a specific play.
Because of Jackson's laid-back demeanor, he earned the respect of his players, especially Michael Jordan. And more often than not, he and the rest of the Chicago Bulls followed his instructions without hesitation.
Yet, there was a notable play in Game 3 of the Bulls' first round matchup against the New Jersey Nets in 1998 when Jordan waved off Jackson's play. Instead of being upset by what his superstar guard did, the legendary head coach was impressed
"Michael had his rhythm in that game," Jackson recalled via ESPN. "He came down the court early, and I said, 'Hit Steve!' because Kerr was wide open for a 3-pointer. But Michael fired up his own three, and it went in. During the next timeout, he said, 'I heard you, but I really felt good.' And that's the way to feel. Believe it. You feel like you can't miss? Then shoot."
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Michael finished that game with 38 points on 16-of-22 from the field. He shot 2-of-2 from the 3-point line.
Jackson let Jordan get hot
Jordan could dominate anybody on the court, but 3-point shooting was not one of his strongest suits. Despite being aware of it, Jackson never viewed it as an issue.
He fully understood that MJ knew better, and he wouldn't force something if it wasn't there. On the other end, Jackson gave His Airness the green light whenever he felt like he was hot, particularly from beyond the arc.
"Michael gets like that sometimes," Jackson acknowledged. "Remember the first game of the championship series against Portland, when he hit six of his first seven three-pointers? I'll never forget it."
Related: "Put those guys on the court against anybody. They would win" - Julius Erving revealed his NBA all-time starting five
Phil still knew MJ couldn't win by himself
Over the years, Jackson and Jordan learned to trust each other. The Bulls' head coach never wavered in his belief in his superstar's ability to take over games and lead the team to victory. At the same time, he also understood that relying solely on Jordan's individual skills was not always a guaranteed formula for success.
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Despite Jackson's strong faith in Jordan's winning mentality, it never altered his team-centered principles. Regardless of how spectacular Michael's performances were, Phil still believed that teamwork wins games and not individual talent alone.
"No matter how great he (Michael) played, there were nights he couldn't overcome another team," he said during the Bulls' first NBA Finals appearance in 1991 when they faced the Los Angeles Lakers. "It was a team game, and the supporting act had to come from five guys. And he had to share the ball, and he had to find a way to incorporate his great individual game into a great team game."
Jackson did an incredible job balancing his trust in Jordan's capabilities and upholding the values of teamwork. This dynamic became a cornerstone of the '90s Bulls' dominance, with the legendary coach succeeding in fostering an environment where both individual excellence and a collective could thrive.
Related: "They hadn't won anything" - Isiah Thomas on why he never viewed Michael Jordan as a true rival
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 15, 2025, where it first appeared.