Michael Jordan is infamous for going after his teammates in practice. He really ripped into them, not just talking trash but actually physically went after them, throwing punches. Steve Kerr got it once. Jud Buechler another. Even Will Perdue once — yes Michael Jordan punched Will Perdue, the 7-foot, 250 pound center.
Horace Grant was on the radio on New York’s HOT97 and told this story. (via ProBasketballTalk)
“Our practices were so intense because Phil, the mastermind behind everything, would put MJ on the second team, me and Scottie would be on the first team, and being competitive like he was, man. Unreal, unreal. Of course punches got thrown, many fights. I’m just so happy that social media wasn’t (around) back then.”
“I hate to tell the story but Will and I are still good friends… Typical Phil (Jackson) we run this play and Will set an illegal pick on MJ, and MJ said,’Will, don’t do that again.’ ‘Whatcha talking about’ that’s Will. MJ says alright; Phil says run it again. So naturally we run it two more times, illegal pick. MJ walks up to Will — boom. Lit him up. It was over; we grabbed Will — you’re not going to hurt MJ. MJ can take care of himself. The next day on the plane, Will gets on with this huge shiner.”
If this happened today it would set social media on fire. Kobe Bryant talking trash to his Lakers teammates went viral, imagine if he hit one of them…
