An aura of competitiveness loomed over Michael Jordan as he walked on the NBA floor. The Chicago Bulls legend was one of the most fierce competitors. The smallest of parameters were enough to motivate His Airness to demolish his opponents. But his extent of competition went far beyond the hardwood. The mind games began even before the game did. The six-time NBA champion detailed his gesture to soften his friend Charles Barkley before their war in the NBA Finals.

Barkley was a force back in 1993. He led the Phoenix Suns to the best record in the league. His dominating presence every single night earned him MVP honors that season. However, one man was arguably salty about his third-place finish, and his name was Michael Jordan, Obviously, he led the league in scoring, slashing away 32.6 points per game. Likewise, Jordan wasn’t happy with his finish, and he wanted to prove just who is the best player in the NBA.

So when he met the MVP, Barkley in the Finals, it set the stage for an emphatic NBA final. MJ tore apart the number one-seeded Suns in six games. However, he had some tricks up his sleeve.

Michael Jordan puts on friendly character to soften Charles Barkley

The Chicago Bulls were up 2-1.  Jordan was hungry to make the three-peat dream a reality. However, momentum favored Charles Barkley, and the Phoenix Suns walked away with a win in Chicago. Off the court, the two superstars enjoyed some rounds of golf before Game 4. But MJ used the opportunity to set a trap for the ‘Round Mound of Rebound’. A $20,000 diamond earring kept Barkley’s hand off the five-time MVP in Game 4.

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When asked about his gift to Barkley, MJ said: “He won’t get in my way the rest of the series, what’s $20,000 to me? Charles thinks we are great friends. I hate that fat f**k.”

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With the MVP lured into his favor by the luxurious present, Jordan knew he was in control. Game 4 became a bloody scene as His Airness single-handedly took the Bulls over the line. He scored 55 points in the 111-105 win to take a 3-1 advantage in the series. Moreover, Charles Barkley didn’t bother him for the entire game. His trap had done its job, and the Suns lost the series right there.

Despite putting up a fight in the following game, the Chicago Bulls were in familiar territory. They closed the series out in Game 6. Michael Jordan walked away with his third consecutive Finals MVP averaging a ridiculous 41 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists. This was just one of the many instances MJ’s competitive fever took over.

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His killer instinct had no room for mercy. In Jordan’s mind, any action to win became the default setting. Do you think any superstar would go as far as Michael Jordan did to come out on top? Let us know your views in the comments below.