The former Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan is incredibly competitive both on-court and off-court. He sought competition everywhere and had intense gambling habits to the extent that it was an addiction. And recently, the same was highlighted by the Charlotte Hornets legend Kemba Walker as he reflected on Michael Jordan’s gambling habits.

During the podcast, Kemba Walker discussed an incident relating to Michael Jordan’s gambling intensity. “He different. I gambled with him when we was out here and when we was at Monaco one time. He too intense. He too intense, bro. I’m good. He too intense…He throwing the money down like. I can’t compete with him. And I didn’t even get paid yet at the time,” Walker said, via the 7 PM in Brooklyn podcast.

During their time in Monaco, Walker and Jordan gambled at a high-stakes table, and Walker wasn’t prepared for that night. ‘His Airness’ competitiveness and intensity could be seen as he kept raising the stakes at the table. One thing Walker learned that day was never to gamble with him.

Although Michael Jordan wasn’t papped gambling in public, his gambling incidents haven’t gone unnoticed by the public. In a rare interview back in 1993, Michael Jordan did address his likeness towards gambling but stated that it was more like a hobby than an addiction. Let’s look back at some of Michael Jordan’s gambling activities.

Michael Jordan’s gambling activities

Michael Jordan’s gambling habits extended from high stakes to various other sports. Jordan was involved in betting huge chunks of money in the Super Bowl and placing golfing bets with Justin Thomas. Jordan once revealed paying his gambling losses to his ex-wife for the embarrassment he had caused. His gambling addiction even left a prom date wiped out. 

There are many theories that surrounded Jordan’s gambling habits during the 90s and the most famous one among them is the death of his father which is supposed to have a direct correlation with his gambling habits. Furthermore, Jordan’s subsequent retirement in 1993 is also said to have taken place because the NBA forced him out of the league to avoid negative press.

The recent incident offered by Kemba highlights Jordan’s competitive mindset. As a 6x NBA champion, Jordan displayed sportsmanship in every aspect of his life. And his gambling habits if not kept in check, could lead to a speculated financial downfall.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.