“Kill Him With Kindness”: How Former Lakers Player Used Words of Appreciation Against Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan always commanded his opponent on the court. Trash talks, and use of physical force were always prevalent in his game. However, MJ was also often on the receiving end. He took it and gave it back. But, one particular player had a unique strategy against the Jumpman, and it was to kill him with kindness!

Byron Scott made his NBA debut in the year 1983. The Los Angeles Lakers selected him as the fourth overall pick, and he was a part of the ‘Showtime’ Lakers, that ruled the 80s. Scott won three championships wearing purple and gold. He left the team in 1993 to join the Indiana Pacers.

In his 14-year career, Scott came up against Michael Jordan several times. His two-year stint with the Indiana Pacers saw him competing in fierce battles against the Chicago Bulls. Scott, who was aware of the effect MJ can bring into a game, tried a unique approach to cool him down. 

How Byron Scott tried to tame the raging bull inside Michael Jordan

In simple words, ‘His Airness’ was unstoppable. When he turned on his ‘Air Jordan’ switch, there was nobody who could even come close. MJ mostly used opponent’s trash talks as a motivation to score more. 

However, Byron Scott had other ideas. He appeared on the Dan Patrick Show a few years ago, where he revealed a secret technique he would use against Jordan. According to the 59-year-old, the secret to successfully guarding MJ is to “kill him with kindness.”

“One thing I did with Mike is I never got him pissed off. He’d make a shot and you’d say, ‘Good shot, Mike.’ You don’t talk trash to him, you kill him with kindness,” Scott revealed. However, it never seemed to work well. 

In the 1990-91 NBA Finals between the Lakers and the Bulls, MJ toyed with his opponents. He humbled a team that included the likes of Magic Johnson, Byron Scott, and James Worthy. He averaged 31.2 points per game in the series and won the Finals MVP award. Destruction at its peak from ‘His Airness.’ Nonetheless, Scott’s approach to containing MJ was a rare approach to try to restrain the GOAT.