Stephen Jackson told the story of Michael Jordan you wouldn’t believe during a recent appearance on the podcast “Million Dollars Worth of the Game”.
Jackson was never Jordan’s teammate during Jordan’s 14-year NBA career, but played under Jordan as a member of the Charlotte Bobcats from 2009-2011 (Jordan is a minority player on the team). and became head of basketball operations in 2005-2006). It then purchased a majority stake in February 2010).
And though Jordan had officially retired seven years by that point, his motivational tactics seemed to resemble his legendary plays with the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards.
According to Jackson, the Bobcats had just endured brutal losses at some point in the 2009-10 season, and Jordan wasn’t happy.
“We got hit by someone,” Jackson said on the podcast. “He came into the locker room right after the game.” is.”
And at practice the next day, Jordan came back for more. Jackson recalled Jordan storming into the Bobcats facility, cursing the team, and at one point demanding that everyone take off Jordan’s branded sneakers because the team deemed them unfit to wear. increase.
Then, when the tension reached its peak, Jackson vowed that retired Jordan was actually good for the Bobcats’ second unit during practice scrimmage, leading them to victory over the starters.
“Whatever he was wearing, he would come out there and push the guy that Gerald Wallace was guarding. [small forward], kicked him out, got to the spot and played with the second team,” Jackson said. alone on the way. “
The story begins at the 1:05:00 mark. (Warning: NSFW language)
Depending on when exactly the above took place, Jordan would have been 46 or 47 at the time of this story. Felton, Boris Diaw and Tyson Chandler were also included.
It didn’t matter.
“I’m real. This is what I said to myself,” Jackson said when asked if the experience was embarrassing. is why he wears his shoes.”
Another point for Jackson was that the incident sparked under the Charlotte team that season. Having a winning season and the playoffs qualifying for the postseason, he earned the NBA’s top-ranked defense.
“We ran, and then I had one of the best years of my career. We made the playoffs. Finished the number one defense in the league,” Jackson said. “From that moment on we took off. He knew what he was doing.
“I mean, for reasons other than basketball. He’s the GOAT. He knew how to get to us.”
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