Michael Jordan, Who Suffered a Crack in His Ribs Due to Bulls Rookie, Defended Him After Media Outburst

Michael Jordan had an unexpected reaction after Bulls rookie Metta Sandiford-Artest, popularly known as Metta World Peace, fractured his ribs at a Chicago gym. Sandiford-Artest, who was named Ron Artest at the time, went hard at the Bulls legend in a pickup game in Chicago. And as it turns out, Michael Jordan broke his ribs after taking an elbow from the 19-year-old rookie.

Michael Jordan is often remembered as an extreme competitor who terrified both his opponents and his teammates. However, former NBA All-Star Metta Sandiford-Artest revealed a different side of the six-time world champion in a recent interview.

This Bulls rookie once cracked Jordan’s ribs at a pickup game

Metta Sandiford-Artest opened up about his rookie days in the NBA recently in a podcast interview. Incidentally, the Chicago Bulls drafted him in the 1999 NBA draft as the 16th overall pick. Meanwhile, the 6’7″ forward also revealed the backstory behind him breaking Michael Jordan’s ribs.

As it turns out, Sandiford-Artest, then known as Ron Artest, took part in a pickup game with Michael Jordan and a 15-year-old LeBron James at a Chicago gym. In the game, a 19-year-old Artest went hard against his childhood idol. The Bulls legend was nearing the end of his dazzling career at the time.

However, Artest refused to spare an inch against Jordan. In the meantime, the rookie accidentally elbowed Michael Jordan while trying to lock him down.

“When I was trying to deny him and get his arm out the way“, said Artest. “My elbow hit him in the ribs and his ribs cracked,” he said.

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However, what happened next is truly incredible and a testimony to Jordan’s greatness. The 14-time All-Star pulled himself together and won the game with a brilliant clutch shot; his Airness refused to give up even after cracking his ribs.

Michael Jordan defended Artest after the media outbreak

Meanwhile, the incident created a massive media outburst the next day. Artest’s action didn’t impress Chicago fans. As a result, the young rookie had to stay indoors for a while.

However, Michael Jordan defended Artest and refused to blame him for the accident. “Don’t worry about it, young fella. Everything’s okay,” Jordan told the rookie in a private phone call, “Things happen.”

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Ron Artest played for the Chicago Bulls from 1999 to 2002. Later on, he left Chicago to join the Indiana Pacers.