© Robert Hanashiro | 2020 Apr 17
If it’s not clear by now, Michael Jordan wasn’t above using even the most innocuous slight as motivation during his time with the Bulls.
A particularly amusing example of this was laid out in the latest episode of ESPN’s “The Last Dance” where Jordan recounted his anger at Sonics head coach George Karl before the 1996 Finals, when the fellow North Carolina alum didn’t say hello to him in a restaurant.
George Karl didn't say hello to Michael Jordan at dinner and the rest is history pic.twitter.com/i723e90nOR
— Rob Lopez (@r0bato) May 11, 2020
Karl joined the Papa & Lund Show on Tuesday and said that while he doesn’t remember walking by Michael, not talking to him was part of a team-wide directive.
“I don’t remember walking by him,” Karl said. “I remember being in the same restaurant as him.”
“I think we all know Michael Jordan would’ve figured out some reason to blame somebody to get fired up, and Michael and I had a problem because I told my team that I didn’t want any fraternization with Michael. Michael has a way of being real friendly with you and loving you and then he goes out and kicks your ass and then you go over and hug him. That’s not me. If you kick my ass, I get pissed off. I don’t want to be your friend for a day or two or a week or whatever.”
Listen to the full interview below.