The Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls roster during the last couple of seasons before winning the championship lacked a sense of trust and unity due to their differences. Every season that Jordan missed out on the playoffs, he vowed to come back harder the next season in order to get his first championship. At the same time, it was hard for MJ’s teammates to match up to his intensity. However, seven failed playoff attempts since his debut in 1984 led Jordan to believe that he would have to do it all on his own. Thus, the lack of belief in one another caused chaos on the court sometimes for the Bulls. Once, a story about Julius Erving’s selflessness to uplift his teammate prompted Michael Jordan‘s Bulls teammates to have doubts about him.

During a tough atmosphere in the Bulls locker room, some people discussed a story that former coach Rod Thorn had told them on how Julius Erving helped his teammate get out of a scoring slump. The story of Erving’s selfless sacrifice led some of the Bulls stars to develop a lack of trust in Michael Jordan.

Julius Erving story caused doubts about Michael Jordan in the Bulls roster

As per Sam Smith’s 1991 book The Jordan Rules, when Julius Erving played for the ABA Nets, his teammate Larry Kenon once went through a bad scoring phase on the court. Being the lead scorer of the team, Kenon’s poor form was a big concern for the team. However, Erving told the then-assistant coach Thorn that he would handle the situation himself.

During the next game, every time Dr. J got the ball and the defense came to cover him, he passed the ball to Kenon, who was in a position to make close-in jumpers and dunks. In that game, Kenon ended up scoring 30 points while Erving only scored 12 points himself during the win. After the game, the reporters crowded Lenon for an interview, completely ignoring Erving. Moreover, the 1983 champ also directed a few writers that came to him toward Kenon.

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After hearing the story, former Bulls star Horace Grant wondered, “Can you see MJ doing something like that?” At the same, there were reports that Michael Jordan was not happy with Grant on the team and wanted to get him traded. Meanwhile, Jordan had some problems with Scottie Pippen as well, who was going through contract negotiations. Thus, the former Bulls stars developed doubts about Michael Jordan’s commitment towards other Bulls players.

Jordan once avoided practice due to his disappointment

After repeated failures to win an NBA championship, Michael Jordan was extremely disappointed and had doubts about his teammates and the management’s will to win. After Grant’s comment about MJ, the team moved to Dallas for a game against the lowly Mavericks that season. However, Jordan decided to isolate himself instead of practicing. The five-time NBA MVP just sat in front of the TV screen and watched the pre-game tapes.

Concerned about MJ, former Bulls assistant coach Johnny Bach sensed that something was bothering His Airness. He went to Jordan to cheer him up, knowing how important it was to win against the Mavericks as their next game was against the Los Angeles Lakers. Bach told MJ, “You’ve got to come into the world” In response, Michael Jordan said, “I don’t want to see the world.”