If Michael Jordan's latest ESPN docuseries The Last Dance has reaffirmed anything as we've passed the halfway point of its 10-week run, it's that MJ was the ultimate competitor in every way. From stories of him getting into fights with other teammates during practice because they weren't playing well, or getting upset with Scottie Pippen for claiming to have a migraine during Game 7 of the 1990 Eastern Conference Finals against the Detroit Pistons, MJ was not one for excuses, even if they weren't excuses.
His competitive spirit has just become that much clearer after legendary Chicago Bulls reporter Sam Smith told the Tolbert, Krueger & Brooks Podcast that Jordan would attempt to stop Bulls big man Horace Grants from eating after bad games some nights. "He told the stewardesses, 'Don’t feed him, he doesn’t deserve to eat!'" Smith said of the occasion on the podcast. While a bit...excessive, this doesn't come as that much of a surprise to those aware of Jordan's competitive nature and relationship with Horace Grant.
The relationship between Jordan and Grant was a bit rocky following the release of Smith's 1991 book "The Jordan Rules," which revealed some sensitive inside information about the team. Episode VI of The Last Dance touched on this last Sunday, with Grant denying any involvement with leaking team information, despite his good relationship with Smith. “Not one thing did I ever divulge to Sam Smith,” Grant said regarding his involvement with the book. “Lots of people use me as a scapegoat. So be it.”
You can listen to the full conversation with Sam Smith on the Tolbert, Krueger & Brooks Podcast below.
