"I would literally write down how many steps he took every game" — How Tim Grover's obsession propelled Michael Jordan to GOAT status

Michael Jordan rose to GOAT status through inherent talent and sheer hard work. He also worked closely with people who were just as obsessed with winning as he was.

One of Jordan's close associates was strength and conditioning coach Tim Grover , who chiseled his body into a machine that could perform at the highest level every night. To achieve this, Grover broke down MJ's moves to a microscopic level.

Counting every step

In an interview with GQ Sports, Grover shared that he watched every Chicago Bulls game and paid attention to Jordan's movements.

Additionally, he could observe several factors of the game, such as the level of physicality, and then craft a workout that would fit his client's mental and physical state.

It entailed a lot of manual work, mainly since Grover and Jordan worked in the 1990s when technology was not as sophisticated as it is today. But Tim had to keep up with Mike's obsession.

"Back then, remember a lot of the games weren't televised live, so you'd have to stay up late," Grover said. "I had to record the games on, then get up early the next morning and watch them before I could see my client. I was as obsessed as he was. "

"Now everyone... you have the Fitbits that count the person's steps. I would literally write down how many steps he took every single basketball game."

It sounded ridiculous, but as the adage goes, the devil is in the details. To succeed at the highest level, one has to keep track of the minuscule details because they contribute to the bigger picture.

What Grover admired most about MJ

MJ's obsession with the game could never be matched. He did not let personal stuff distract him from his quest to be the greatest. Grover saw how the Bulls guard picked himself up after the tragic loss of his father. This is what the trainer admired most about his client.

" That's the one thing I admired so much about Michael when he was going through the grief of his father's death; he came back and did what he had to do, at an even higher level. Do the work. There is no privilege greater than the pressure to excel and no greater reward than earning respect and fear of others who can only stand in awe of your results."

The Grover-Jordan partnership is easily one of the best trainer-player duos of all time. While MJ is regarded as a singular force that catapulted basketball into a cultural event, Grover's efforts should not be forgotten. It might sound blasphemous, but it is true: without Grover, there would likely be no Michael Jordan that we know and remember today.

Related: “It takes a lot of dedication” - Michael Jordan opens up on his conditioning and nutrition routine during his time in the NBA