7. Hired Johnny Bach
In the summer of 1986, Krause hired Johnny Bach to be an assistant to new head coach Doug Collins. Bach was a defensive specialist who helped mold the defensive games of the Bulls’ initial Big Three of Jordan, Pippen and Grant. Collectively, they spearheaded Bach’s “Doberman Defense” that became feared throughout the league.
Grant praised Bach for building the trust that existed between Bulls teammates on the defensive end.
“You had to be athletic to play it but you know what that Doberman defense was built on? Trust. If Michael went for a steal and didn’t get it, he knew Scottie and I would have his back. Who created that trust? Johnny.” – Horace Grant
Here’s what Jordan had to say about Bach when he passed away in January of last year:
“Coach Bach was truly one of the greatest basketball minds of all-time.He taught me so much, encouraged me, worked with me and really helped to mold my professional game. Without him, I don’t know that we would’ve won our first three championships.” – Michael Jordan
Bach wasn’t just a great basketball mind. He was a decorated war veteran, who often used military references in practices, pregame talks and film sessions to motivate his players.
Before joining the Bulls coaching staff, Bach served as the head coach of the Golden State Warriors from 1983-86. During those three seasons, the Warriors went 89-157. They finished dead last in the Western Conference twice and failed to make the playoffs in any of Bach’s three years at the helm. Despite that ugly resume, Krause knew Bach would be a great compliment to his staff and hired him anyway.
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