“Michael Jordan always wanted to win in the face of adversity”: Legendary trainer Tim Grover claims the ‘GOAT’ was just as intense as the ‘Last Dance’ portrayed him to be

Tim Grover talks about the intensity Michael Jordan brought to everything he did and claims that he was always looking to win. 

Michael Jordan’s journey through the NBA from the 80s in the 90s is perhaps the most picture-perfect climb to the top of the league. Almost as though it was written in the stars for the events he took part in on the court, to take place; Jordan accomplished more than most NBA players dream of, and did so by carrying an obscure franchise into title contention for nearly a decade. 

Michael Jordan was lauded for an ample amount of things he did on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. After all, he was a 10x scoring champion and a 9x All-Defensive team selectee. However, along with his expertise for the game of basketball, came an innate sense of competitiveness to, for the lack of a better word, ‘obliterate’ his opponents. 

Also read: “Kevin Durant was our main focus”: Former Nets GM Billy King explains the motivation behind trading for Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett from Boston Celtics

Jordan’s approach to the game could best be described by a man who helped him reach the level he needed to from a physicality standpoint, to compete for championships on the regular. 

Tim Grover claims Michael Jordan always looked to win in the face of adversity. 

Tim Grover trained Michael Jordan for nearly 15 years and was a major factor in the Bulls’ 3-peats in the 1990s. Along with being Jordan’s personal trainer, he was also a close friend of his and got an up-close and personal look at what drove the ‘GOAT’ to reach a level of perfection as high as his.

Also read: “Kobe Bryant tried to duplicate Michael Jordan”: Former Knicks star claims that the Lakers legend wanted to surpass the ‘GOAT’

“I remember when Zach LaVine had a 50 point game in Chicago and he was the first player to do it in a while and they asked him about Mike and he said MJ’s a ghost, a myth. The Last Dance just took it to a whole other level, to see how intense he was and how focused he was during one of the most difficult times to win.” 

“His desire and the mental fortitude to win during any adversity that was thrown at you, for most individuals that would been like, ‘I’m not going to do this.’ For him, everything that happened was just another chance to show how to win under all these different circumstances.” 

Though Kobe Bryant would enter the NBA at the tail-end of Michael Jordan’s prime with the Bulls, he would emulate the exact same mentality as the 6x champ. Tim Grover is actually quoted as saying that Michael was more strategic with his training and knew when to stop at most times. Kobe however, didn’t. It’s no surprise that the man Bryant idolized the most coming into this was greatest to ever do it.