This should come as a surprise to no one, but Michael Jordan was a tough competitor.
The characterizations of Jordan's competitiveness usually evoke memories of Jordan nailing game winners, but Jordan's mean streak was honed in practice, much to the chagrin of his teammates, who often got the worst of Jordan.
The worst included the occasional fight in practice, according to Horace Grant, Jordan's long-time teammate on the Chicago Bulls. Grant appeared on Hot 97 radio in New York and told a parable of Jordan punching 7-foot center Will Perdue.
Our practices were so intense because Phil, the mastermind behind everything, would put (Jordan) on the second team, me and Scottie would be on the first team, and being competitive like he was, man.
Unreal, unreal. Of course punches got thrown, many fights. I’m just so happy that social media wasn't (around) back then.
Typical Phil (Jackson) we run this play and Will set an illegal pick on MJ, and MJ said,’Will, don’t do that again.’ ‘Whatcha talking about,’ that’s Will. MJ says alright; Phil says run it again.
So naturally we run it two more times, illegal pick. MJ walks up to Will – boom. Lit him up. It was over. We grabbed Will – you’re not going to hurt MJ. MJ can take care of himself. The next day on the plane, Will gets on with this huge shiner.
Jordan also famously punched another teammate (now Golden State Warriors head coach) Steve Kerr in practice. Jordan then went on to record an assist to Kerr in Game 6 of the 1997 NBA Finals, which essentially clinched one of six championships for Jordan.
