There’s no denying that Michael Jordan is one of the most legendary sports figures to ever walk the earth. While Basketball has always been widely popular, many credit Jordan for breathing new life into the sport with his amazing games and heated rivalries. Despite all of that, it’s also fair to say that Jordan was no angel.
Every person has to deal with their own demons, and with his first retirement, he may have been no different. While many of his biggest issues are purely rumors or stories from those who have been close to him, there have been a few high-profile and very public issues. Any issues with the golden boys of basketball are often wished to be forgotten by the NBA, and Jordan’s issues are no different.
10 His Hall Of Fame Speech
A lot of things have been said about Michael Jordan’s now infamous hall of fame speech. Some have said that it is a realistic and honest take on an industry that is filled with few true friends, and others have said that it was a nearly 10 minute long rant and burial of people who felt as if they positively impacted Jordan’s career.
Regardless of where anyone stands, it is fair to say that Jordan had more than a few choice words for the people in his life. Essentially burying some of the biggest people he’d worked with, Jordan’s less than kind words are likely something that the NBA would rather everyone forgot.
9 He May Have Been A Notorious Gambler
There has been a lot of mixed information over the years regarding Jordan’s potential gambling activity. While many of the details are purely speculation and personal stories from those around him, the NBA probably doesn’t want people to think of Jordan as a heavy gambler.
There have been more than a few high-profile stories involving Jordan making irresponsible bets, including one about him allegedly making a bet involving way too much money over what should have been a simple and friendly game of golf.
8 His First Retirement Was Plagued With Rumors
With rumors of Jordan being a notorious gambler already in the minds of fans, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that his first retirement from the NBA has pretty much always been speculated about. The strange circumstances involved and some of Jordan’s own words have created a few theories in the minds of fans.
While there is no evidence of the claim, some believe Jordan was actually asked to step away due to his gambling addiction. The strange timing of the announcement and Jordan’s own words further fuel the theory, but at the end of the day it is just that, a fan theory.
7 He Wasn’t Kind To A Potential Star
When Jordan was in the twilight of his career, he actually played for Washington, something that many people seem to forget. Because of his prior connection to the team, and his own competitive spirit, Jordan didn’t mince words when his team didn’t live up to his standards.
It’s that very thing that some people say ruined the career of Kwame Brown. He had a long career, but not one that lived up to his hype. Some say it was Jordan’s rather consistent and public harsh words for the young star that had many fans and establishments turn on Brown.
6 He Punched Steve Kerr
The NBA would almost certainly like the entire world to forget that Jordan once punched his own teammate during a training camp, but it probably won’t be forgotten anytime soon. The event is rather infamous, but to be fair, Kerr has said that the situation was actually for the better.
It’s said that due to prior frustrations each man had, the two ended up getting into a bit of trash-talk while training. After enough provocation and some fouls, Jordan ended up swinging at Kerr and the two engaged in a brief brawl before being separated by those in attendance.
5 He Hasn’t Always Been a Faithful Man
Quite possibly the most high-profile thing about Jordan that the NBA would like the world to forget is his rap sheet with infidelity. For a while, it might have just seemed like Jordan was in an unhappy marriage, but that changed rather quickly once a woman stepped forward.
Eventually, it came out that Jordan had allegedly paid a woman to remain quiet about their relationship, a relationship that resulted in the woman’s pregnancy. The unfortunate truth is that the woman became pregnant in 1991, two years after Jordan had gotten married to his wife.
4 He Was Banned From A Golf Course
A bit of a simpler example of Jordan not exactly living up to the standards set for him by both himself and the NBA is his issues on the golf course. Jordan fans will know that he’s always had a love for the game of golf, but his ego has made it difficult for him at times.
In one story, it has been said that Jordan allegedly refused to abide by a golf course’s dress code. He wound up playing on the course anyway, and once the staff became aware of this he was asked once again to change. Jordan supposedly refused to do so, and as a result was banned from the golf course.
3 Not Speaking Out On Nike
Everyone is going to have their own thoughts on consumerism and personal business ventures, but a lot of people became disappointed in Jordan during a bit of drama surrounding Nike. When attention was brought to the allegedly poor working conditions of Nike factories elsewhere in the world, Jordan was mostly defensive of the brand.
It makes sense that he’d protect the brand considering his long past with them, and of course, their creation of his immensely popular Air Jordans. Still, not acknowledging what seemed like clear issues left people with a bad taste in their mouths.
2 His Alleged Behavior Toward Charles Barkley
With how famous Jordan is, it only makes sense that more than a few people have a few interesting stories about him. One that’s been told involves his treatment of fellow NBA great Charles Barkley.
As the story goes, Jordan was rather manipulative of Barkley in order to get favorable treatment on the court. Once he could benefit from their supposed friendship, Jordan wouldn’t have as hard a time getting past his friend, something that left Jordan with some choice words about Barkley to another party.
1 His Bully Attitude Toward Players
While Jordan absolutely is one of the greatest NBA players of all time, he’s had trouble escaping the accusations of being a bully towards not only other players but also his teammates. Jordan was able to find a lot of success with a great team and almost always played amazingly in his prime.
The issue with that is that Jordan expected his team to always be in top form. There are countless stories of Jordan treating other stars poorly, one of the most famous being his poor treatment of Muggsy Bogues, something that some point to as the thing that shook the star’s confidence for the rest of his career.