Everybody knows that Michael Jordan is arguably the most competitive individual in the history of the NBA. His drive and passion for the game ultimately won him six NBA championships and the honor of being known as the greatest to ever lace up a pair of sneakers. It goes without saying that the Chicago Bulls legend hates to lose.
Free agent guard Jamal Crawford recently shared about the time when Jordan was absolutely fuming after losing in a pick-up game, per Roderick Boone of The Athletic. Crawford explained that he would play pickup with Jordan often after working out with the Bulls early in his NBA career, and they wouldn't lose whenever they were together.
However, there was a time he was late for the pickup game, and what he saw upon arriving surprised him.
“So I work out with the Bulls first, and I had got down there and he had lost. I remember he was so mad, he was sitting in the corner by himself. He was fuming. Fuming! Like, it hurt. Man, it’s a pickup game and he was fuming that he lost that day,” Jamal Crawford recalled about his time with Michael Jordan.
“And so after that, I came and we played, he got back on the court and we never lost again. So from that point on, he was like, ‘I’m not playing until J.C. gets here.' So I had to start rushing my workouts, get there early so I can get there in time to play with him. We never lost.”
Crawford also shared how Jordan's belief in him gave him a much-needed confidence as a rookie. The former eighth overall pick in 2000 eventually established himself as one of the greatest scorers in the game, especially off the bench. He earned three NBA Sixth Man of the Year awards throughout his career, to go along with averages of 14.6 points and 3.4 assists.
Crawford has yet to call it a career and is still hopeful to continue his NBA career. Certainly, there are teams out there who could use a veteran professional scorer off their bench.
Follow Us
Subscribe