Michael Jordan spent his playing career in the NBA, sticking close to his self set standards. He did not allow GM Jerry Krause to mess with his preferences and nor did he consider anyone’s opinion before retiring for the first time in 1993. 

Obsessed for perfection and stung with competitiveness, MJ saw every moment as a challenge. His on-court and off-court lives, although different, had a commonality in terms of how he never allowed anyone to trash talk and get away with it. An American broadcaster learned this the hard way in 1998, after the championships concluded.

When Michael Jordan almost ‘torched’ Dan Patrick

Back in the 1998 NBA Finals, MJ was looking for his second three-peat of his illustrious career. And with that historic final shot over Bryon Russell in the closing seconds, Air Jordan helped the Bulls defeat Karl Malone’s Jazz 87-86 to lift their sixth overall title. Post the game, he had to go one-on-one with Dan Patrick for a quick interview. 

In a recent interview, Dan reminisced that night and detailed, “When Mike comes in, he’s got his jersey out, he’s soaked in champagne, Cuban cigar, he’s got the basketball with him… Phil Jackson came in and was waiting to come on right after Michael. And when we got done with the interview I thought that was last time I was gonna see Mike… And when he got up and we went to commercial break I said: ‘That’s a shame you’re retiring.’ He said: ‘Why?’

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The next thing MJ did, explained in a nutshell how no one should mess with him under any scenario.

As the 65-YO responded to MJ by saying, “I’d love to play against you,” MJ furiously retaliated, “‘Get the f— up!’ I stood up. He goes, ‘How the f— would you guard me?’ Dan further added, “(Laughing) I gave him, like a forearm to the back. He goes, ‘I’d f—-‘n torch you.’ And then he walked out. I sat down and Phil (Jackson) goes, ‘You see what I dealt with?’” 

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What were the potential reasons MJ was angry even after a title win?

In the celebrated documentary, The Last Dance, MJ had elaborated how GM Jerry Krause wanted coach Phil Jackson to part ways with the Bulls. Now, MJ wanted to quit the Bulls if that condition was on the cards, which it was. 

So obviously, it was the last time His Highness took a winning shot for the Bulls and that was a good reason to be mad. The Bulls of 1997-98 were capable enough to win one more title if those issues with the front office had not dismantled their unit. 

If anything, MJ’s Hall of Fame speech was also proof of how he was so mad with Jerry Krause. On top of that, Michael bumped into a young journalist daring to throw unwanted banter at him. So one can understand why it happened what happened.

If you were at Dan Patrick’s place, what would you have done? Help us know in the comments below.

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