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Michael Jordan Was So Competitive He Wouldn't Even Lose To Let Kids Have Free Air Jordans

Michael Jordan Was So Competitive He Wouldn't Even Lose To Let Kids Have Free Air Jordans

Jordan's 'Last Dance' documentary proved his competitiveness was so deep it bordered on petty and here's another example from the NBA legend

NBA legend Michael Jordan was so competitive that even a bunch of kids with the chance to win Air Jordans wasn't enough motivation for him to lose a bet.

You don't have as highly decorated a sporting career as Jordan without being at least a bit competitive, but the former Chicago Bull star certainly seemed to take things further than most.

During the brilliant 'Last Dance' documentary, the levels that the six time NBA Championship winner were really shown, even betting $10,000 on games of Rock, Paper, Scissors.

In fact Jordan was so competitive, even long after his playing career had actually finished, that he refused to lose another bet that would have seen some kids with Air Jordans at his training camp.

Phoenix Suns Chris Paul was at the Flight School basketball camp in 2016 when he challenged Jordan, in front of all the kids, to not miss and if he did he had to give all the kids, watching on, a free pair of Air Jordans.


Whether the basketball legend was more worried about his competitive nature or losing out on the money from those trainers, it's not too sure.

What we do know is that rather than missing three shots, Jordan sunk every single attempt just to make a true mockery of the challenge from the Suns' point guard, who then was playing for the L.A Clippers.

As well as being competitive, the basketball legend, considered by many as the greatest of all time, can be pretty miserly when it comes to giving away any money.

Ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky told a story of how the former Bulls player had given such a small tip in a Las Vegas casino that he had to intervene.

Jordan handed over just $5, whilst they were playing cards, Gretzky though stopped the waitress and gave her a much bigger tip, before telling his friend off.

Jordan's competitive nature had a part in his success. Image: PA Images
Jordan's competitive nature had a part in his success. Image: PA Images

However Jordan did have his moments of being more giving in nature, and he once gave a teammate his Ferrari for Christmas.

The 58-year-old was aware that fellow Bulls' player Scottie Pippen, who played a big part of the documentary, had his eyes on Jordan's Ferrari 550 Maranello in 1997.

That made the former Washington Wizard's star change his present late on before Christmas, from a box of cigars to the Ferrari.

However giving away a few pairs of shoes was never going to happen, not when his pride was on the line.

Featured Image Credit: PA/YouTube

Topics: Michael Jordan, NBA, Basketball, Chicago Bulls