Old habits die hard. The saying specifically goes true for Michael Jordan and his obsession with competitiveness. His documentary, The Last Dance, re-introduced this side of MJ that was already famous/infamous in the NBA universe. 

MJ does not like to lose and that’s evident from each of his moves. Sure, his Charlotte Hornets have been a major failure ever since he assumed ownership, but that’s the only exception. In fact, Air Jordan would do everything possible even to win at a game of ping-pong or cards. Here’s the most recent proof.

Michael Jordan can’t just let anybody trick him

Recently, the 6x NBA Champion met with star American illusionist David Blaine while on a vacation. This became the 48-YO magician’s opportunity to play some tricks around the balling GOAT.  

Holding a deck of cards against MJ, the world-record holder instructed, “Behind your back, give it a mix… Good, now I just want you to see that all the cards are definitely different. Is that fair? Look, I put one card in a specific location inside, fair? You looked at the card when I showed ém, so you subconsciously you know. Say any card out loud whatever you want.”

To this, Air Jordan in his pale orange polo and beige cap responded, “Three of hearts.” Then, the NBA legend followed further instructions and removed 27 cards from the deck. Later, he revealed his competitive spirit by unveiling how he never followed David’s orders about shuffling the cards.

MJ funnily said, “I don’t need to shuffle. You know I tried to trick you by not shuffling it.” And then, he saw the trick getting the better of him. 

Read more: Michael Jordan’s Worn Sneakers Set To Fetch A Mind-Boggling Amount

When MJ stunned a legendary director with his competitive spirit

In MJ’s documentary, the filmmakers shed light on the incident where MJ took his Limo to Atlantic City before Game 2 of ECF. He took this off-trail journey to satisfy his addiction for gambling. 

So in an interview, Hollywood director Spike Lee expressed how such stunts from MJ never surprised him. He detailed, “The story was, he didn’t get back to, like, 6:00 to 7:00 in the morning. So, that didn’t bother me. You know why? Because in Barcelona, this is true story… It was me, Magic, Barkley, and MJ. I stayed like 8 O’Clock in the morning, watching them play cards. I had to leave. So, I know Michael Jordan only needed a couple hours of sleep.” 

So MJ is obviously not new to cards and tricks. Perhaps he could’ve tricked David if he had to remove his lucky number #23 and not twenty-seven from the deck. 

Watch this story: Michael Jordan and Other NBA Stars Who Got Trolled by Memes