While it’s generally understood that pushing teammates to their limits in practice sessions can prove beneficial, Michael Jordan pushed it to the extreme more often than not. That approach reached its heights before the 1995-96 season began when he punched Steve Kerr in the face.
Though this incident had the potential to derail the Chicago Bulls dynasty single-handedly, His Airness quickly recognized the gravity of his mistake and the importance of respecting his teammates better.
Mike called himself an ‘idiot’ after punching Kerr
In Phil Jackson’s book – ‘Eleven Rings,’ the six-time Finals MVP candidly admitted how that incident compelled him to recognize the necessity of changing his behavior if the Bulls were to win additional championships.
“It made me look at myself and say, ‘You know what? You’re really being an idiot about this whole process,'” Jordan said. “I knew I had to be more respectful of my teammates.”
In an episode of The Last Dance documentary, Kerr admitted that standing up to the five-time MVP was the best decision he could’ve made. Following the punching incident, the 6’3″ guard revealed that his relationship with MJ improved drastically.
The close bond between Steve and Mike transcended on the basketball court, evident in the Bulls’ impressive record of 191 wins in the 231 games they played together. However, their connection went beyond the mere winning record. Jordan’s decision to entrust Kerr with the game-winning shot in Game 6 of the 1997 Finals underscored the depth of trust they had developed after the punching fiasco.
Jackson believed the incident did wonders for MJ
Although coach Phil Jackson understood the potential negative impact of Jordan’s antics on team dynamics, he held a unique theory about it.
The Zen Master saw MJ’s antics not as a disruptive event but as a catalyst for fostering a better camaraderie within the team. Moreover, for Phil, this incident forced the five-time MVP to become a better leader and recognize how he could work more productively with them.
“That moment of awakening helped Michael become a compassionate leader,” Jackson wrote in his book. “Ultimately helped transform the team into one of the greatest of all time.”
Considering the admission made by those involved, it seems reasonable to assert that if Mike hadn’t promptly recognized the necessity of changing his demeanor, Chicago would have never won another three-peat.