?Con Man? Michael Jordan Taking ?Advantage of His Friends? Narrative Had Bulls Goat Unfazed in 1997 Interview

Michael Jordan is one of the greatest basketball players of all time, and there was no stopping him in his prime. The legend of the game would perform at will, anywhere against anyone on the planet. The Chicago Bulls legend also would enter the minds of his opponents with trash-talking and many other things. As it was difficult to stop Jordan on-court, people would nudge him off-court.

Jeff Van Gundy would once say something to nudge Michael Jordan and his ways off-court, garnering a response from the Bulls legend, which signified how unfazed he was at any comments put at him. There was immense calm on the face of Jordan while dealing with any controversy.

Michael Jordan on Van Gundy?s comments

Michael Jordan was unstoppable during his prime, and it was difficult to distract him from his goal. The Bulls legend made sure that he would give his absolute best on the court, come what may.?

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Back in 1997, the New York Knicks? coach decided to say what he felt about the Bulls no. 23. The then-Knicks coach gave a backhanded compliment to the Bulls star, explaining it further. He talked about how the six-time NBA champion becomes friendly with his opponents so that they lose the edge against him. According to Van Gundy, the six-time NBA champions used that attitude against them on-court.

Jordan didn?t take those words kindly and dropped 51 points against the New York Knicks as a sort of rebuttal to the accusations. The Chicago Bulls icon was asked in the post-match interview what he thought about the comments made by the Knicks coach.

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?I think it was more geared to motivating his players, I have been playing against his players and his teams for the past 5-6 years and naturally we had some off-court friendships, but they are playing well. I don’t think on the court they are befriending me. And I don?t go on-court expecting to make friends? the six-time NBA champion said.

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He also mentioned that he leaves whatever happens on-court and he doesn?t expect ?war? off of it. MJ finished his statement by saying that Van Gundy is entitled to his opinion.

Michael Jordan went on to win consecutive NBA Championships in 1996-97. Also winning the NBA Finals MVP of the season.

The Bulls no. 23 averaged 29.7 PPG in the 1996-97 season, and 32.3 points in 6 games of the 1997 NBA Finals.