Michael Jordan always wanted his son to forge his own identity. Jeff Jordan had his father’s lean build, but was five inches shorter and stood 6’1. He enrolled in Illinois without the benefit of an athletic scholarship, unlike his father, who was heavily recruited by colleges out of high school. Michael never really allowed his off-court activities to affect his on-court performance. And one of his biggest pieces of advice to Jeff was based on one such incident.

Gambling was a problem for Jordan because he hated losing. While facing the Knicks in the playoffs in 1993, media learned that he had gone down to Atlantic City to play the tables the night before a game and trumpeted the news to the world. Once he also lost over a million dollars to a gambler while playing golf. Michael’s advice to his son regarding gambling was” don’t ever go outside your means.”  

Michael – The relentless competitor

His competitive spirit and the hatred for losing fuelled Michael’s love of gambling. For him, he never lost a game, he just didn’t have enough time to win. Michael used to make many bets when he was at the free thrown line when making a free throw. Just for the sake of it, he once told his opponent he would make a free throw with his eyes closed before proceeding to do just that.

He was never afraid of anybody, just wanted to play basketball and win. It is said that he had a clause in his contract, which allowed him to play basketball anywhere and at anyplace he desired.

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The gambling rumours never went away

When he first retired in 1993, there were rumours that the league had suspended him because of his excessive gambling. But the then commissioner, David Stern, vehemently denied it. In his later interviews, Jordan also had this to say regarding his gambling “Yeah, I’ve gotten myself into situations where I would not walk away and I’ve pushed the envelope. Is that compulsive? Yeah, it depends on how you look at it.” 

Gambling maybe his one fatal flaw, but Jordan never allowed it to affect his on-court performances or never allowed it to interfere in his family affairs. He may have loved gambling just a tad too much, but always knew when to walk away.

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