Michael Jordan‘s legacy as one of the greatest competitors in NBA history is well documented, and the exact nature of his demanding approach was recently highlighted by one of his former Chicago Bulls teammates, Steve Kerr.
Kerr, currently in charge of the Golden State Warriors, shed light on the uncompromising standards Jordan set and how those standards shaped the team culture, and their eventual success in the 1990s.
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The 59-year-old explained that MJ’s philosophy was rooted in pushing teammates to their absolute limits, both mentally and physically as he pursued higher standards from everyone around him.
“That was his way. He was not an easy teammate,” Kerr told the Glue Guys podcast. “He drove us so hard and held everyone to such high standards that he literally drove people off the team.
“His theory was that if you couldn’t stand the heat in practice from him, then you wouldn’t be able to handle the heat of the NBA Finals. You had to bring it every single day because he brought it, and he set an incredible tone.
“The beauty of it was, as difficult as it could be to be his teammate and live up to all that, you always knew you were going to win because he was on your team.”
Kerr‘s relationship with Jordan evolved over nearly a decade, beginning when he joined the Bulls in 1993-the same year Michael first retired as he decided to try his hand at baseball instead.
While Steve played a supporting role, mostly coming off the bench, he was instrumental during Chicago’s second championship three-peat, known primarily for his sharp three-point shooting and clutch performances.
And this perseverance in winning MJ’s trust reflects the high bar set by the Bulls legend, who demanded excellence not only from himself but from everyone around him.
Jordan criticizes NBA All-Star Game effort levels
Jordan‘s own approach to the game was marked by a relentless work ethic that extended beyond regular season and playoffs, including the NBA All-Star Game, unlike many modern players who treat the All-Star weekend as a light-hearted exhibition.
The 66-year-old legend viewed it as an opportunity to compete with full effort and respect for the fans and reflecting on the decline in All-Star Game intensity, he bemoaned the lack of defensive effort.
“It’s a different time obviously,” Jordan said in 2019. “Anytime you have an opportunity to represent the fans, it’s about playing with your heart and your passion.
“It’s been going on for years. The players are different but the idea of showcasing and playing and representing and saying thanks to the fans is the same. The fans see that, and that’s where you bond with the fans and when you do that.”
