The rivalry between Michael Jordan and the New York Knicks was like no other. For many, the games between the Chicago Bulls and the Knicks felt like a reenactment of a war. Playing rough was the mantra. The on-court intensity and competitive spirit were always a notch higher. Years later, Michael Jordan shed some more light on this era-defining rivalry.??

In the 90s, the Bulls and the Knicks faced each other in the playoffs six times. The Bulls won 5 out of the 6. The only time the Knicks had the upper hand was in 1994 when Michael Jordan was missing in action. So with Michael Jordan on the team, the Bulls never lost a playoff series.?

The era-defining rivalry?

In an interview with Ahmad Rashad a few years ago, Jordan explained what the rivalry meant to him. He said, ?Anybody that was trying to take something from us, that?s a rivalry”, after dismissing the entire idea by saying, “What rivalry!” MJ stated that each game, especially against the Knicks, was played to make a statement. The goal was to ensure that the opponents had nothing to gain from the Bulls.?

For Jordan, it was simple. Playing against the likes of Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley, and John Starks was like a sibling fight. He said, ?It?s like fighting your big brother or little brother. You gotta let ?em know who you are. This is where you belong.???He stated that this became the mentality of each player on the team.?

Michael Jordan on being accused of being a con-man

In 1997, New York Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy accused Jordan of being a con man. He went on a radio show and stated that there is something mystique about Jordan because everyone wants to be like Jordan. He stated that ?Jordan uses some of his friendships and stature to con some of the opponents.?

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This bothered Jordan. In his words, it rubbed him the wrong way. He stated that it was inappropriate to make a comment of that sort. Jordan felt as though his basketball skills were being attacked because the implication was that the only way Jordan could play well was by duping his opponents.

He said, ?I actually like them. Oakley almost tried to take my head off every time we played, and then we?d go to dinner after.? Jordan made it clear that being friends off-court didn?t affect the on-court competition.?

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What is your favorite MJ vs the Knicks moment? Let us know in the comments below.