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Michael Jordan, Who Was Called Out for Manipulating His Friends To Win Games, Reveals Taking Offense to Such Comments
Michael Jordan is considered to be one of the most vicious competitors ever. He is known to compete at anything and everything and more often than not he would come out on top. However, he never crossed the ethical line, but he has been accused of manipulating his friends to win games and championships, and this did not sit well with him.
Feb 20, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Michael Jordan at halftime during the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports| Reuters
Back in the 1992-1993 season, Jordan had returned full time to the NBA, and he was keen on winning another championship. As the regular season ended, the NBA awarded the MVP award to one of Jordan’s friends Charles Barkley. The duo was locked on the meet in the NBA Finals, and MJ had invited Barkley for dinner before they match up.
This did not sit well with a lot of folks and Stan Van Gundy the head coach of the New York Knicks, accused Jordan of manipulating his friends and playing games by dining with them, and Jordan doesn’t agree with that notion.
Michael Jordan took offense to Van Gundy’s comments
Jordan said,” Stan Van Gundy said I conned the guys into going to dinner with them and then rip their throats out in the game. I said that’s not fair, I mean my personality is my personality, I can separate, you know and I consider these guys friends, I wouldn’t try to con them, that’s not who I am… I took offense to that comments”
And to Jordan’s credit, he was still close friends with Charles Barkley, even after they met in the Finals. Jordan prevailed against Chuck, but this did not seem to affect their relationship.
In fact, they even went on Oprah Winfrey’s show together. They showed they still were close despite their battles on the court. And Jordan did take offense to Van Gundy’s comments and he burned the Knicks the next time they met. Jordan was sure a supreme competitor, but he never crossed a line.
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