When Bulls coach saved his job by benching Michael Jordan: 'If you play him one second over, you're fired on the spot'

After taking the league by storm in his rookie season, wherein he won Rookie of the Year and garnered All-Star and All-NBA Team honors, Michael Jordan had his eyes on improving in his sophomore season.

Unfortunately, MJ's plan got derailed after he broke his foot during the Chicago Bulls' third game that season on October 29, 1985. The injury was so severe that "Air Jordan" would not be seen on an NBA floor until March when the team's decision-makers finally agreed to let him play after initially wanting their prized superstar to just sit the season out.

Rigid restrictions

After some tense negotiations between Jordan and the Bulls' front office, the North Carolina phenom was allowed to play but with minutes restriction. It wasn't an ideal situation for Jordan, who played less than 20 minutes in each of the six games he appeared in his return to the hardcourt.

However, one person who got caught between a rock and a hard place was the Bulls' coach at that time, Stan Albeck. According to acclaimed author and trusted MJ confidant Mark Vancil, there was a game in Indiana where things reached a fever pitch regarding MJ's strict minutes restriction.

"There was a game in Indianapolis—in those days, we got to sit right by the bench—and Stan Albeck knew he was going to get fired. He was told, 'If you play him one second over whatever the number was that day—ten minutes—you're fired on the spot," Mark recalled.

"The Bulls were down by maybe three points, and the clock was at 1:31. If it went to 1:29, it was a whole minute, and Albeck would've been fired on the spot. So, he takes Jordan out, and the fans are like, 'Boo!' They're screaming, 'What's wrong with you? You're an idiot!'" Vancil added.

A furious Jordan

With his competitive juices flowing in such a close game, Jordan was beside himself on the bench. He was desperate to get back in and help his team secure a win, but he was stuck watching from the sidelines due to his minutes restriction.

Unbeknownst to MJ, Albeck was just as irate at the situation. However, with the team owner and general manager breathing down his neck, his hands were tied. So, he did the next best thing: he got himself ejected.

"Michael was furious, and so was Stan. I can't repeat what Stan said, but he was definitely trying to get thrown out. The first thing he said should have gotten him thrown out. The second thing he said—and you can only imagine—did get him thrown out," Mark shared. "He looked over at us, kind of smiled, and walked into the locker room. The whole thing was just so crazy."

Fortunately for Chicago, they won that game, 109-108, with Jordan finishing with 26 points, five rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks in only 28 minutes.