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Chicago Cubs: Follow the “Zen Master” model
Maddon does not need to go far back into the past to find a former Chicago coach that knew how to invite conflict while still getting his players to achieve the ultimate goal.
Phil Jackson presided over all six of the Chicago Bulls’ NBA championships in the 1990s. And although the Bulls’ dominance over the league may have appeared rather seamless, that dynasty was anything but easy.
Jackson used anything he could as motivation for his team. He turned the players against Jerry Krause and the front office. In a pivotal Game 6 of the 1992 NBA Finals against the Portland Trail Blazers, he started the second unit in the fourth quarter with his team down double-digits, only to have the Bulls respond and win the game.
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He even somehow managed to integrate Dennis Rodman into the team’s culture during the second three-peat.
Of course, Jackson also had the benefit of having a ruthless competitor and leader like Michael Jordan at his disposal. But he still knew how to provide inherent challenges and ramp up the competition.
Especially given that he is managing a roster full of young stars, Maddon needs to find a way to do the same. Heck, he can even use similar tactics to those employed by Jackson.
After all, the front office has done just about nothing to improve the team. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer struck out on Carlos Gonzalez and, unless things change in a hurry, they have also struck out on Daniel Descalso, Brad Brach and Xavier Cedeno, amongst others. Not to mention, the Addison Russell redemption story has been fruitless.
Maddon and the Cubs repeatedly stressed the desire to compete on every pitch, in every inning heading into this season. Where is that kind of intensity right now?