Michael Jordan was known for being a relentless competitor on the court. However, his approach to practice was equally legendary. As a true leader, MJ often pushed himself beyond the limits and demanded the same from his teammates.
According to former Chicago Bulls big man Scott Williams , Mike never took lightly any scrimmage during team practices. However, once the practice session concluded, "His Airness" would suddenly transition into a supportive teammate and friend, fostering strong relationships within the team.
"After he'd bust my ass in practice, he would say: 'Hey, listen, Juanita is cooking spaghetti tonight. Come over for dinner!'" Williams told HoopsHype in 2020. "We broke some bread, and we would watch whatever TNT game may have been on TV that night, or we would find a game. Those types of things, for a guy like me, who lost his parents a few years before that in Chicago and didn't know anybody, that was huge for me."
The first time Scott felt MJ's competitiveness
Even before Williams joined the Bulls, he already knew how extreme Jordan's competitive drive was as a player. Scott witnessed and experienced it firsthand during a charity game in Charlotte back in 1990.
To this day, "Tank" still vividly recalls how Mike threatened to kick NBA players out of the charity game if they weren't going out there to play competitive basketball. Scott was still a college player at the University of North Carolina at the time and was stunned after seeing MJ go hard on an exhibition game.
From that point forward, Williams knew that whenever you share the court with the GOAT, you better be ready to compete at the highest level.
"He put me on his squad, and I got a good physical strong game. Jordan addresses the squad, and he says, [if] you're not here to play a real, physical brand of basketball, there's the door you can leave. It's kind of funny because all these guys were pro guys, but we're not getting paid for this. It's just to support him," the former Tar Heel center once remembered.
Scott is grateful for everything MJ did for him
Williams enjoyed a front-row seat in watching His Airness evolve from one of the most electrifying players in the league to the greatest player in the world. But apart from that, "Tank" also became one of MJ's closest teammates during his four-year stint with the Bulls .
Reflecting on it, Williams reckoned that being teammates with Jordan was a transformative experience for him. Like other '90s Bulls role players, Scott admired the intensity that "His Airness" brought to every practice and game. He also emphasized the importance of teamwork and the bonds forged in the heat of competition.
Scott also appreciated how the Bulls legend undying pursuit of excellence inspired not just him but the entire team. Under Mike's leadership, Williams learned that success is not merely about individual talent but also about collaboration, trust, and mutual respect among teammates.
As a teammate who understood and embraced his role, Williams is grateful for the friendship and genuine connection that MJ offered him throughout those years. For Scott, Jordan was not only the best player on the Bulls but, more importantly, the driving force of the team's synergy.
"It made me feel welcome and part of the squad," Williams said of Michael's leadership. "He had brotherly love for me. I don't care what a coach tells you about X's and O's. Nothing goes as far as a guy like that showing you that kind of love. That made me want to play extra hard and get this dude where he was trying to go."
"Playing cards on the plane, having me over and shooting pool, having garlic bread and spaghetti, maybe a beer or two… being in that circle, you felt the true love," he added. "Here is a guy who is playing five or 10 blackjack hands with the rookie on a non-guaranteed contract, making the league minimum. I felt part of the squad. That was a pretty cool experience. He could have been in the back with Horace Grant and Scottie Pippen. It was nice that he wanted to feel like he was part of the entire team. Those are the moments you take away from it. We had a camaraderie. We had a bond."
Related: "I see now! You're trying to keep your distance" - Ahmad Rashad on how Michael Jordan was always step ahead of his rivals
MJ's leadership was about balance
Numerous stories have been told in recent years, highlighting Jordan's intensity during practice. Most people concluded that this drive not only elevated his performance but also set a standard for the entire team.
It has become common knowledge that the six-time NBA champion understood that practice was not just about honing skills but also about developing a winning mentality. But as Williams pointed out, this focus on discipline did not overshadow MJ's ability to connect with his teammates.
In retrospect, it's safe to say that no matter how other people slice it, Jordan recognized that basketball is a team sport and that building rapport was also essential for on-court chemistry. Moreover, he exemplified a unique balance between unwavering dedication to his craft and the importance of having a good relationship with his teammates.
Related: Charles Barkley pointed out the double standard of Michael Jordan severing ties with him but keeping Phil Jackson close
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