Top 10 Moments Where Michael Jordan Took It Personally in The Last Dance Series

A common theme in the ESPN 30 for 30 Documentary The Last Dance was Michael Jordan's motivation. Often times, he would take things personally if something offended or upset him. Whether he was snubbed of the MVP, compared to another player, another player talked trash, or an owner tried to take credit away from him, whatever it was, MJ was always motivated by the fuel.
The Top Ten
1 Jerry Krause says organizations win championships The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls compete in the National Basketball Association as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division.

Arena/Stadium: United Center
Head coach: Fred Hoiberg... read more

While Krause may have been right as the builder of the Bulls, the reality is that players decide who wins championships. MJ wasn't too keen on Krause saying that because it was his way of trying to take credit.

Jerry Krause was a mixed bag. He was a great team builder, but he was so paranoid and egotistical that he hurt the team in the long run. Also, I like how you made a whole list about a meme.

2 Byron Russell jabs MJ while MJ is retired

When MJ visited John Stockton and Karl Malone during his first retirement, rookie Byron Russell trash-talked him, saying he could guard him. A few years later, MJ made Russell eat his words.

Hey, when MJ retired, I would have been throwing shots too.

3 Karl Malone wins the 1997 MVP Karl Anthony Malone is an American retired professional basketball player. Nicknamed "The MailMan", Malone played the power forward position and spent his first 18 seasons in the National Basketball Association with the Utah Jazz and formed a formidable duo with his teammate John Stockton.

Although Malone was deserving of the MVP, MJ didn't seem to like being snubbed and would outplay Malone in the finals.

4 MJ compared to Clyde Drexler Clyde Austin "The Glide" Drexler is an American retired professional basketball player. During his career, he was a ten-time All-Star, and named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

Prior to the '92 Finals, comparisons were made between MJ and Clyde Drexler. Although MJ knew Clyde was a great player, he didn't like the comparison. He went out and hit six threes in the first half of the first game, leading the Bulls to another championship.

Clyde Drexler was an excellent player. MJ just didn't like having a player compared to him. MJ did not disparage him the way people suggest. Drexler held his own.

5 Charles Barkley wins the 1993 MVP Charles Wade Barkley is an American retired professional basketball player and current analyst on the television program Inside the NBA.

In 1993, Charles Barkley won the league MVP. However, in the finals, MJ didn't seem to appreciate not receiving the award himself, so he decided to go out and win another championship for his team.

6 Detroit Pistons Bad Boys antics The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit, Michigan. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division.

While nobody loved the Pistons during their Bad Boys era, MJ took exception to some of their antics and made his feelings known. This also led to Isaiah Thomas being left off the Dream Team.

The Bad Boys were Jordan's kryptonite. The only way he could beat them was when they were injured and he had Scottie.

7 Jerry Krause thinks Dan Majerle is a great defender

Jerry Krause wanted Dan Majerle to join the Bulls because he thought Majerle was a great defender. MJ disagreed and went on to expose Majerle during the '93 Finals.

Dan Majerle was a great player and an All-Star, to be exact. It's just that he played the same position as MJ and Scottie. That, of course, would cause problems.

8 Ignored by George Karl

Before the '96 Finals against Seattle, MJ was annoyed that George Karl, Sonics head coach and MJ's former teammate, ignored him at dinner. MJ took it personally and won the Finals in six games.

9 BJ Armstrong celebrates after hitting game-winning shot

When BJ Armstrong, now a member of the Hornets, hit a clutch shot in a playoff game to beat the Bulls, his former team, MJ took exception and led his team to three straight wins over Charlotte.

I mean, I would celebrate too, and I would expect MJ to defeat me anyway. I would enjoy the moment.

10 LaBradford Smith scores 37 on MJ and says nice game

MJ had a rough game against LaBradford Smith, who scored 37 points on him. Although it was later revealed to be fabricated to motivate Jordan, MJ felt Smith said, Nice game, afterward. The next day, MJ scored 36 points on Smith in the first half.

Ever heard of LaBradford Smith? Exactly. Jordan ended his career.

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