Growing up in a family without generational wealth, with his father working a standard 9-to-5 job, Michael Jordan was expected to help out with the basic work chores. However, the five-time MVP, who quickly realized he wasn't made out for this lifestyle after his first job, struggled to help with his father's basic tasks.
Ironically, even though Michael later became one of the greatest names in basketball, MJ's father was so irked by his cluelessness that he reprimanded him for lacking basic knowledge of tools and the garage.
Michael on how his dad got irritated with him
In working-class families, it's common for parents to want their children to develop practical work skills so that, even in hard times, they can manage basic tasks and find work. James Jordan, a mechanical engineer who worked on cars, had the same expectations from all his sons. While Mike's elder brothers often helped their father with various tasks, the 6'6" shooting guard was utterly clueless when asked to do the same.
In his interview with Playboy, the six-time Finals MVP emphasized just how James was irked by his lack of knowledge.
"My older brothers would go out and work with him. He would tell them to hand him a nine-sixteenths wrench, and they'd do it," Jordan said . "I'd get out there, and he'd say give me a nine-sixteenths wrench, and I didn't know what the hell he was talking about. He used to get irritated with me and say, 'You don't know what the hell you're doing, go on in there with the women.'"
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James felt Mike was the laziest kid
Every father has a general responsibility to motivate or encourage his son to push his limits. Similarly, James, unhappy with Mike's lack of involvement, tried to shift his son's attitude, but to no avail. Even when Jordan Sr. made him take a part-time job, the Chicago Bulls legend quit after just a week, realizing he was not built for the traditional working life.
"I was a hotel maintenance man. I was cleaning out pools, painting rails, changing air-conditioner filters, and sweeping out the back room," Jordan added. "I said, 'Never again. I may be a wino first, but I will not have a nine-to-five job.'"
Given that Michael was never a breakout star from the moment he stepped foot on a basketball court, his parents, quite naturally, never held expectations of him making a worldwide name for himself. However, even though he wasn't the best from the start, MJ always had the hunger for becoming something special, and eventually, the world saw just how right he was.
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