Michael Jordan intentionally threw bad passes at Bill Cartwright to get rid of him: "MJ resented the loss of his friend and took it out on him"

When it became clear to the Chicago Bulls that Michael Jordan was their franchise star, the front office scouted for players who could complement his style.

The player who matched the description was Bill Cartwright , whose length and shooting were expected to boost Chicago's defense and offense. But to use him, the Bulls had to let go of Charles Oakley, who had become Jordan's protector from those who tried to hurt the guard.

Bullying Medical Bill

Jordan wasn't too happy with the Bulls' new center. In a report by Yahoo Sports, MJ resorted to an unusual tactic to get rid of Cartwright.

"When the Bulls let Charles Oakley go and brought in Bill Cartwright, Jordan resented the loss of his friend and took it out on Cartwright, calling him 'Medical Bill' and intentionally throwing impossible-to-handle passes at him in practice to draw attention to what he perceived to be his bad hands," the report said.

One would think that Jordan would be more welcoming to his new teammates to jumpstart their chemistry. But Mike approached the game very differently. He'll welcome you with open arms if you can handle his intensity. If you can't, then either you leave, or he'll toughen you up.

Cartwright fights back

Jordan's bullying tactics on Cartwright extended to real games. According to legendary Bulls reporter Sam Smith, Jordan ordered the rest of the Bulls not to pass the ball to the center during late-game situations. Word reached Cartwright, and instead of turning the other cheek, the big man confronted Jordan .

"I don't like the things I've heard you saying about me," Cartwright told Jordan.

Things may have calmed down between the two after the incident. Cartwright may have finally earned Jordan's respect. The center proved that he was not a pushover you could bully around.

"If I ever hear again that you're telling guys not to pass me the ball," Cartwright continued, "you will never play basketball again."

It's safe to say Cartwright passed the Jordan test. He stayed with the team and became a key player on both ends of the floor. His reliable shooting touch gave Jordan enough space to operate on offense.

On defense, Cartwright's height was his biggest asset. The results were monumental. With Cartwright in the fold, Jordan and the Bulls won three consecutive titles, ushering in a new era of basketball. Not only did Cartwright pass the test, but he showed everyone he could play ball at the highest level.

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