Dickey Simpkins on Michael Jordan's Leadership, How Phil Jackson Managed Personalities and Egos, and Winning Titles on the 90's Bulls

The Highest Level Podcast with Evan Burk

Dickey Simpkins is an NBA Scout, TV Analyst, and 3-time World Champion as a former NBA player. He led Providence College to a Big East title his senior year in college, played on 3 championships teams with 4 Hall of Famers on the late 1990's Chicago Bulls, and has served as an NBA scout for the Charlotte Hornets and currently for the Washington Wizards.

In this conversation, Evan Burk speaks with Dickey about the winning culture on the Chicago Bulls under Phil Jackson, how his daily approach earned the respect of Michael Jordan, and using his playing experiences in his current role as an NBA Scout and TV Analyst.

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Topics Discussed:

• Standing out at Providence College under Rick Barnes
• The instant change in intensity once Michael Jordan re-joined to the Bulls in 1995
• How Michael Jordan taking ownership for losing to Orlando in the ‘95 Playoffs was a defining moment for winning the next 3 Titles
• How Dickey evolved as a player under Phil Jackson and playing with MJ
• What set the 90’s Bulls’ team culture apart
• “Know Your Role, Embrace your role, and Star in Your Role”
• Being a part of the infamous “Sprewell/Carlesimo Choke” Warriors
• Watching Phil Jackson’s leadership and the unseen things he noticed
• How Phil Jackson managed personalities and egos
• Using his playing experiences in his scouting and evaluation of players
• Understanding how situations impact the success of players