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via Getty
WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK – AUGUST 08: NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan and co-owner of 23XI Racing looks on from the 23XI Racing pit box during the NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 08, 2021 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1333074548.jpg?width=600)
via Getty
WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK – AUGUST 08: NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan and co-owner of 23XI Racing looks on from the 23XI Racing pit box during the NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 08, 2021 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Character and drive made the six-time champion and 14x All-Star Michael Jordan the star of the nineties. These two attributes are on full display in the 2020 docuseries The Last Dance. Throughout the series, Jordan is shown as a highly demanding leader who dominates his teammates showing off his physical skills. Recently, a snippet from the documentary resurfaced on social media where His Airness could be seen bullying his Chicago Bulls teammates!
Jordan being hard on his teammates might have cost him a lot of potential friendships but his teammates evidently got better in the long run. And of course, they won several NBA championships with the help of MJ.
Michael Jordan was really hard on his teammates
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A page on Twitter recently shared a snippet from The Last Dance on Twitter that unveils many instances of Jordan bullying his teammates for their betterment. In the video, the 14x All-Star is narrating how he wanted to let his anger out to motivate other players at a time when Scottie Pippen was sidelined. The video subsequently unveiled footage of the Bulls’ training session where MJ could be seen training his teammates on the court.
His Airness can be seen being angry at one of his teammates in a practice session. He says to him, “You know what he does? He sits and waits. What are you waiting for?” His teammate replies, “Waiting on the double team.” This prompts Jordan to reply angrily, “Why? You play aggressive, they’ll come and help you?”
Michael Jordan “It drives me insane when I don’t win”#NBA #BullsNation pic.twitter.com/7Qp7ieJJTz
— The Jordan Rules (@Rules23Jordan) April 13, 2023
The video further reveals the six-time champion lashing out at one of his teammates during what appears to be a practice game. He said, “F****n’ Harp, what are your waitin’ all day for?” He then says to Toni Kukoc, “Toni, it’s okay. You know why? Cause I gotta scream at you all day.”
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Michael Jordan gave a reason why he was tough on his teammates
After the footage of the Bulls’ practice session, the video shows MJ reflecting on his being hard on his teammates. He says, “Every day that Scottie wasn’t playing gave someone else confidence, they can be this. And if you tryna maintain dominance over people, you don’t wanna give chance to gain confidence. So that drove my energy.”
In an interview with GQ, Jordan was asked why he demanded so much from his teammates. The six-time champion replied, “That was leadership.” He added that he never took a day off as then everyone would have taken one. The All-Star said, “I never took a shortcut, and I never wanted anyone else to take a shortcut. If that meant someone interprets me as a tyrant, I’m pretty sure they’re appreciative now.”
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Watch this story- Charles Barkley, Michael Jordan, LeBron James – NBA Stars Who Were Inspired by High School Coaches
What are your thoughts on Michael Jordan’s toughness? Share your views in the comments below.