In the NBA's All-Time player hierarchy, Michael Jordan is usually ranked no lower than second place for his amazing career and talent with the basketball. According to former NBA point guard Chris Childs, however, Jordan is also one of the league's all-time dirtiest players for what he used to get away with on the court.
“And what people don’t understand is Michael was one the dirtiest players who ever played the game, you know?" Childs told Brandon 'Scoop B' Robinson. “He would cheap-shot you and then look at the ref for help.”
Childs played from 1994 to 2003, which means he got plenty of matchups against Jordan at the peak of his powers. While everyone was singing his praises, Childs saw Jordan in a different light as he experienced his on-court bullying first-hand.
“One thing that I stood on from the beginning is that I’m a man like you’re a man and I want to be treated accordingly,” Childs said. “If you don’t treat me accordingly, then I’ll take that respect and that’s one thing that when I stepped on the court, I let that be known from the beginning.”
It's no secret that Jordan was a menace on the court and he played like a man who was out to kill his competitors. Game after game, he gave opponents his absolute best, and it brought us some of the greatest moments in NBA history. In many ways, the anger and passion Michael carried was the key to his dominance but it also made him a lot of enemies over the years, including some members of his own team.
For those who stood against Michael, his antics sometimes went too far. From trash talk to cheap shots, Jordan loved to use psychological warfare against his enemies, and more often than not he was allowed to get away with plays and actions that might have otherwise been penalized.
As Michael gained more experience in the league, he got better and better at throwing off his competition and forcing them into costly mistakes. At the same time, he got better at manipulating the officials into ignoring his aggressive tactics.
Today, hardly anyone thinks of Jordan as a "dirty" player, and his legacy has never been stronger, even 20+ years after his retirement. The only thing fans remember now is his stacked resume, which includes six championships, five MVPs, and 10 scoring titles. While he may not have always played fair, you have to give Michael credit for what he was able to accomplish with the Bulls and acknowledge that it may never be done again.
He built a dynasty in Chicago and served as the face of NBA basketball for years. Unlike many others who came before him, Michael was able to back up his confidence and ego with dominant performances while doing everything he could to demoralize the enemy.
MJ was unapologetic through it all, and it's unlikely that he has any regrets over how it went down. The only thing that matters to him is the results, and they are quite impressive given that Jordan's career and legacy remained unmatched even all these years after his retirement.
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