Everyone remembers MJ’s shot. But the timeout before it - that's...
Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness@coachajkings
51 views
Jun 19, 2025
~2 min read
Advertisement
1
Everyone remembers MJ’s shot.
But the timeout before it - that's when Dean Smith won the game.
Roy Williams called it the "greatest timeout in the history of sports."
Here’s exactly what Dean Smith told his team and why it matters:🧵
But the timeout before it - that's when Dean Smith won the game.
Roy Williams called it the "greatest timeout in the history of sports."
Here’s exactly what Dean Smith told his team and why it matters:🧵
2
It's the 1982 national title game.
UNC trailed Georgetown by 1. Dean Smith called timeout.
As the players walked to the bench, Roy Williams saw fear in their eyes.
For the first time all year, he thought: "Oh my gosh… we might lose."
But Coach Smith didn’t flinch.
UNC trailed Georgetown by 1. Dean Smith called timeout.
As the players walked to the bench, Roy Williams saw fear in their eyes.
For the first time all year, he thought: "Oh my gosh… we might lose."
But Coach Smith didn’t flinch.
3
He knelt down and calmly said:
"This is exactly where we want to be."
Then he laid out each scenario - confident, clear, composed:
• Look for the lob.
• If it’s not there, drive and kick.
• Miss? We’ll get the rebound.
• If they rebound, we foul and they won’t make the FTs.
"This is exactly where we want to be."
Then he laid out each scenario - confident, clear, composed:
• Look for the lob.
• If it’s not there, drive and kick.
• Miss? We’ll get the rebound.
• If they rebound, we foul and they won’t make the FTs.
4
In less than 60 seconds, Smith had shifted the energy.
• Fear turned to focus.
• Panic turned to poise.
• Doubt turned to belief.
The players left the huddle locked in. Then Coach Smith turned to MJ and said:
"Michael…if you get it, knock it in."
• Fear turned to focus.
• Panic turned to poise.
• Doubt turned to belief.
The players left the huddle locked in. Then Coach Smith turned to MJ and said:
"Michael…if you get it, knock it in."
5
You know the rest...Jordan got it, pulled up, and drained it.
UNC took the lead.
Then James Worthy sealed it with a steal, and UNC won the national title.
MJ's legend began - but it wasn't just the shot. It was the belief before the shot.
UNC took the lead.
Then James Worthy sealed it with a steal, and UNC won the national title.
MJ's legend began - but it wasn't just the shot. It was the belief before the shot.
0:22
6
This is a masterclass in pressure leadership. Your team will mirror your body language, your tone, and your belief.
1: Your team feels your energy.
2: Confidence comes from clarity.
3: Great leaders steady the room.
Dean Smith didn’t just draw up a play - he passed them poise.
1: Your team feels your energy.
2: Confidence comes from clarity.
3: Great leaders steady the room.
Dean Smith didn’t just draw up a play - he passed them poise.
7
📌The quotes from this post come from Roy Williams' interview on the Way of Champions podcast.
A must-listen for all coaches, leaders, and athletes out there.
youtube.com/watch?v=54PkSq…
A must-listen for all coaches, leaders, and athletes out there.
youtube.com/watch?v=54PkSq…
