Having Insulted $60 Million Worth Spike Lee, Michael Jordan Boasted of Defeating the Knicks Alone

If there was one basketball player who could always back his words up on the court was Michael Jordan. There have been many greats after him, who have come close to having the same aura. But, honestly, no one ever succeeded. MJ was one of a kind and to this day, rules as the one true king of basketball.

He was so ferocious that he’d diss entire teams in post-match conferences. Calmly claiming why and how he destroyed them. However, there is perhaps one statement made by him, which was more badass than any before and after.

During the 1996 playoffs, the Bulls steamrolled the Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals. After winning the series 4-1, Michael Jordan calmly confessed something to the press. Though what he said reeked of arrogance, only Jordan could have justified it.

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Michael Jordan claimed he could defeat a team alone

In his book Michael Jordan: The Life, Roland Lazenby detailed the press conference. He wrote how after Game 5 of that series, the entire world was curious about MJ’s thoughts. They wanted to know what went through his head after he dropped 35 points against the defenseless New York Knicks.

Spike Lee, who was in attendance, then faced Michael’s taunt as he bid the director a goodbye following his team’s terrible loss.

“Next came a grunting rematch with the Knicks, who managed an overtime win at home about which Jordan was nonchalant. He scored 35 in Game 5 in Chicago to finish them off, 4–1. After one late bucket, he backed down the floor and waved bye-bye to Knicks fan Spike Lee, sitting courtside with a towel wrapped around his shoulders. “I’ve always been known as a player who could finish off a team,” Jordan said afterward.”

Jordan brutally ridiculed his opponents

What made Jordan so ruthless was his ability to keep friendship and competitiveness separately. He could be your best friend, but if you ever competed, MJ would seek to destroy you.

This also showed in the way he talked to his rivals before, during, and after games. At the same time, he was allowed to trash talk with any and everyone. Teams devised special strategies not to indulge Michael Jordan in such attritions of words.

Perhaps no one other than Michael held such power. Not even Kobe Bryant and LeBron James held such power over their opponents.

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