Michael Jordan Once Explained Why Practice Helped Him Become A Legend On The Court: “Work Ethic Eliminates Fear”

Michael Jordan dedicated himself to practice and that dedication ultimately led to incredible success for the star.

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Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Michael Jordan built a career out of being an absolute assassin on the basketball court. Not only did Jordan put some of the most incredible numbers we have ever seen in the game, but he also set a new standard of winning in the modern era of basketball. All of this excellence wasn’t achieved purely on natural talent, as MJ worked very hard to ensure he could be the king of the mountain.

We have seen players like Kobe Bryant become the faces of ‘practicing until you are perfect’ mentality in recent years, but Kobe learned that habit from someone else. Jordan. His work ethic was incredible and he dedicated innumerable hours when the lights were off so that he could deliver when they were at their brightest.

MJ once revealed his motivations behind the practice habits and how having a strong work ethic will eliminate the fear of failing. 

“When I got to the pros, Kevin Loughery, when I was drafted number 3, Kevin Loughery used to put me in the starting five. We’d be killing the second five. He wanted to test me out. Let’s say we’re going to 8 and it could be 5 to 1 or 5 to 2 against the second team, he’d switch me to the second team. We’d bounce back and win the game. Those are all training tools and every day in practice was like that to me, it was competition. So when the game comes, there’s nothing I haven’t practiced. It’s a routine. Whatever happens in the game now, okay, I have done this before.”

“I never feared about my skills because I put in the work. Work ethic eliminates fear. If you put forth the work, what are you fearing? You know what you’re capable of doing and what you’re not.”

MJ was obsessed with getting better, and everything he did before games was aimed at putting him in the best position to win. Practice was very important to him, and it was the reason why he became the huge legend he is right now, preparing him to face big challenges in games. His work ethic was unmatched until Kobe Bryant showed up, but Jordan was always trying to put in the work to reach the next level. 


Michael Jordan: The Face Of Basketball Excellence

As the NBA goes from year to year, new talents are emerging every other day. Luka Doncic is an example of a current young star that could reach the levels of an all-time great. Jordan is, was, and will always be the measuring stake for legendary greatness.

LeBron James is an example of someone who has come close to surpassing Jordan for that status but has instead set a different standard of what longevity in a career means. MJ is all about winning and dominating in his career, winning 6 championships without losing a single one.

Even when not in the playoffs, MJ set incredible records as an offensive and defensive player. He has 10 scoring titles to his name while also a Defensive Player of the Year. The Jordan standard in basketball will always be the ultimate goal of players, and he got there by rigorously practicing.  

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Ishaan Bhattacharya is a content manager for Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. With his expertise in NBA content creation, Ishaan brings a wealth of experience to his role, contributing to the site's authority and reach within the basketball community. Over the last year, Ishaan has interviewed Ray Allen and Mark Tatum, while also covering the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games which saw the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Since joining Fadeaway World in March 2022, Ishaan Bhattacharya has become known for his unique perspective on the NBA. He consistently delivers this insight through his daily news coverage and detailed opinion pieces on the most significant topics in the league.Before his tenure at Fadeaway World, Ishaan worked in corporate communications, where he serviced prominent sports brands, including NBA India, Sports18, Amazon Prime Sports, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This experience in strategic communications for leading sports entities has enhanced his ability to craft impactful narratives and connect with a global audience.A true MFFLer (Mavs Fan for Life, for the uninitiated), Ishaan is a massive fan of the Dallas Mavericks. When he is not upset about Jalen Brunson walking in free agency, you can see Ishaan as an avid gamer and content creator. His passion for basketball extends beyond the Mavericks, as evidenced by his thoughtfully curated NBA Mount Rushmore, featuring LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell—each representing distinct eras and bringing their unique qualities to the game.Featured On: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher ReportYahoo Sports, NBA, Fox Sports, The Spun
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