The stories about Michael Jordan’s competitiveness are legendary, and we’re not even talking about his attitude to towards opponents. No, MJ was equally as fiery towards his own teammates.
There was the infamous story about the time when MJ punched teammate Steve Kerr. There are tales about him popping Jud Buechler. And now we’ve heard the story about the time MJ punched Will Perdue.
Former Chicago Bulls player Horace Grant was on Hot 97 for a radio interview and shared the story about MJ popping Perdue.
“Our practices were so intense because Phil, the mastermind behind everything, would put MJ on the second team, me and Scottie would be on the first team, and being competitive like he was, man. Unreal, unreal. Of course punches got thrown, many fights. I’m just so happy that social media wasn’t (around) back then,” Grant said.
Grant said he never got into it with Jordan physically, but that doesn’t mean Jordan didn’t get after other players.
Grant was then asked whether Jordan only beat up on the little white guys like Kerr or Buechler, and that prompted the Perdue story.
“I hate to tell the story but Will and I are still good friends … Typical Phil (Jackson) we run this play and Will set an illegal pick on MJ, and MJ said, ’Will, don’t do it again.’
“‘Whatcha talking about’ that’s Will. MJ says alright; Phil says run it again. So naturally we run it two more times, illegal pick. MJ walks up to Will — boom. Lit him up. It was over; we grabbed Will — you’re not going to hurt MJ.”
Grant explained that they pulled Perdue away so he wouldn’t touch the team’s superstar.
“MJ can take care of himself. The next day on the plane, Will gets on with this huge shiner.”
Imagine how much people would flip out these days if such a story leaked. Kobe just cursing at his GM over his teammates goes viral, and so does this story about Percy Harvin.
MJ would have his supporters, but a lot more people would dislike him if he played in today’s age because of stories like this. But it’s that competitive edge that made him great.
Transcription via No Coast Bias
H/T Pro Basketball Talk
