It’s not a secret that Michael Jordan was always competing. He took the tiniest things very seriously if that meant he’d win something. Sometimes, however, he took things a little bit too far.
After winning his second NBA title, the Chicago Bulls legend joined the 1992 Dream Team to play in the Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona. He joined forces with more legends, studying them to learn their weaknesses. MJ took that trip to Spain very seriously, taking his trash-talking talents with him, even against his teammates.
Clyde Drexler suffered this during the first days playing with Jordan. In his book ‘Playing For Keeps, David Halberstam wrote how MJ used to taunt Drexler after beating him in the 1992 NBA Finals.
“Jordan did not pass up the opportunity to talk some trash as he brought the ball upcourt. ‘Didn’t I just kick your ass? … Anything here look just a little familiar? … Think you can stop me this time [sic], Clyde? … Better watch out for the 3s, Clyde.’ Halberstam wrote, via The Sports Rush.
“Eventually, some of his Dream Team colleagues suggested that Jordan cut back on the trash talk with Drexler because they were all teammates now, and there was no reason to reopen wounds so fresh. Back off, he did, but the coaches noted that every time Jordan guarded Drexler in scrimmages, he took the defensive level up more than anyone else.”
Jordan never hesitated to diss other players. Although this was too much, knowing he was playing alongside Drexler, not against him, that’s how he used to do business. Fortunately, his teammates convinced him to stop bullying Clyde.
He had a complex relationship with the Portland Trail Blazers legend. Before that 1992 Finals, he didn’t like being compared to Drexler, taking things personally against him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ovo6VIJ31IY
There are plenty of memorable stories about that 1992 Dream Team, and this is another one.
