Michael Jordan always made it clear that he didn’t come to the league to make friends. All he wanted to do was win. While Jordan is arguably the greatest player of all time, he was also the greatest trash talker, ending up making a lot of enemies. Except, his rivalry with Patrick Ewing was never personal.

From foes to friends

In the 1990s, the Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks were always going at each other’s throats. However, most of the rivalry was one-sided. The Knicks were never able to defeat the Bulls as long as Jordan was on the team. Instead, they eliminated the Knicks from the playoffs in 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1994.

Everybody knows about the famous dunk Jordan performed on Ewing. But even to this day, Ewing admits that they have always been good friends. On ESPN, Ewing was asked about his thoughts on his battles with MJ.

Trending

Heat Injury Report: Latest On Jimmy Butler, Terry Rozier, Duncan Robinson Ahead of Game 2 vs Celtics

April 24, 2024 02:46 PM EDT

What Happened to Kenny Smith’s Legs? Unfolding the Sad Truth Behind TNT Host’s Dodgy Knees

April 22, 2024 08:05 PM EDT

“So Rigged”: All Hell Breaks Loose as Jamal Murray Forces LeBron James’ Lakers Into Bitter Embarrassment

April 23, 2024 06:21 AM EDT

Is Dawn Staley Married? Details on South Carolina Coach’s Love Life and Special Bond With Lisa Boyer

March 16, 2024 06:41 PM EDT

Billionaire Michael Jordan’s $61 Million Arrival in Talladega Saw Unusual Absence of Wife Yvette Prieto

April 22, 2024 03:36 PM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest NBA stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

“You know it’s funny, Michael and I are very good friends,” Ewing explained. “As a matter of fact, he was the one who got me into coaching. He started my coaching by giving me an opportunity here with the Wizards. But back then, we have known each other from high school.

“But we had some remarkable, great battles and the crazy thing is, he talks so much trash that even today he lets me know that I was never able to beat his team. It was like, ‘The only time you beat the Bulls was the year that I retired’. If it wasn’t for him and his team, I might have been able to possibly have an opportunity to win one, maybe two rings. But he was just so dominant and such a great competitor, that it wasn’t in the cards for me.”

The one time Ewing came close to beating Michael Jordan

In the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks somehow were able to manage a 2-0 lead in the series. What looked like a sure-shot win for New York, however, ended up being the most humiliating loss the Bulls delivered to them.

Jordan and the Bulls ended up winning four games straight after. And once again, eliminating the Knicks inches away from a chance at a title. Ewing couldn’t be more right. Maybe if Jordan wasn’t there, he would have had at least one championship next to his name.

Unfortunately for him, Jordan couldn’t let that happen, but it’s commendable how their rivalry didn’t continue off the court. It speaks volumes about the kind of person Michael Jordan is.

Read also- THROWBACK: How Chicago Bulls Stopped Michael Jordan from Joining the Knicks in His Free Agency