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NBA fans are very much aware of the alleged gambling problems that Michael Jordan had. Back in 1993, MJ had insisted that he had a ‘competition problem’ when he was asked about his gambling issues. In the 90s, MJ would bet on almost everything. Be it golf or even a minor card game. He would even bet his teammates on minor competitions.

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In a 2020 interview with GQ, Jordan was asked if gambling was his version of ‘thrill’ once he retired from basketball. MJ agreed and said that gambling was indeed thrilling for him. Giving quite an interesting example, he said gambling was like nearing a cliff and calculating one’s options. He described it as a challenge and a competition. However, he clarified that he wasn’t addicted to gambling and could go weeks without it. He dismissed people’s claim that he had a gambling problem and felt that the better word would be competition.

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Opening up more about his ‘competition problem’, MJ elaborated why he liked betting on stuffs. Being a ‘thrill seeker’, Jordan said that he like betting high stakes.

Michael Jordan sheds some light on his alleged gambling addiction

Michael Jordan explained that he like the thrill of being in nerve wrecking and nervous situations. Furthermore, he admitted that if he did not like placing safe bets like most people would. He said if he is sitting at a card game and there was a possibility of doubling the stakes, then he wouldn’t shy away from it.

“If I’m sitting here with a twenty and the dealer’s got an ace showing, I’m going to gamble. Or I’ve got a seven and a four against a ten,” said the former Chicago Bulls player.

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Furthermore, His Airness said that he did not like the way people assume him to be addicted to gambling just for the way he played.

“I don’t look at it like this is my last dollar and I’ve got to make two?so I’ve got to double down. It’s not that way, and for people to look at it that way is to throw a jab at me,” said Jordan.

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Do you think Michael only had a competition problem rather than being addicted to gambling? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!

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Siyari Debbarma

895 Articles

Siyari Debbarma is a senior NBA writer at EssentiallySports. With over 700 articles under her belt, Siyari is an expert in providing in-depth analysis and coverage of the game. Her throwback article on Dennis Rodman's plea for help garnered more than 3.5 million page views, a testament to her skill as a writer and journalist. Siyari's expertise also extends to game coverage and lifestyle reporting on NBA players and their families. She brings a unique perspective to her articles, providing readers with a behind-the-scenes look at the personal lives of their favorite players. Her passion for basketball began when she started hooping in her senior year of school, and she has been a devoted fan of the game ever since. Although Siyari admires players irrespective of their teams, the Golden State Warriors hold a special place in her heart. She is a huge fan of iconic names such as Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Michael Jordan, but her personal preferences have never swayed her from delivering detailed and impartial content to her readers. When she's not covering the latest NBA stories, Siyari indulges in her love of reading, with a particular fondness for books on history and culture. She also spends time with her adorable cats and dogs, who keep her company when she's away from the court.

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