Charles Barkley tells a story about the competitiveness of Michael Jordan from 1992 in an average match against Puerto Rico
There are plenty of stories about Michael Jordan’s fierce competitiveness.
Hall of Famer Charles Barkley recently shared one that ranks among the best. Speaking on the TNT “Steam Room” podcast, Barkley told a story from the 1992 Tournament of the Americas in Portland. It served as a warmup before the famous Dream Team headed to Barcelona for the Olympics.
Barkley played a round of golf with Jordan, David Robinson, and coach Chuck Daly. Jordan decided to play another round by himself despite having a game against Puerto Rico later that day.
“This is when I knew Michael Jordan was crazy,” Barkley said. “Michael is the most competitive person I’ve ever been around in my life.”
Before the game, Daly handed out defensive assignments. Barkley, Robinson, and Scottie Pippen all accepted theirs. When Daly tried to get Jordan to cover the Puerto Rican shooting guard, he refused because he wanted to defend the point guard.
“I said, ‘I got the point guard,'” Barkley recalled Jordan saying to Daly. “He said some [expletive] about me in the newspaper and I’m going to get him.” We’re looking around like, ‘This little kid is in trouble.’ It’s just amazing how he played 36 holes and he’s guarding this dude like it’s Game 7.”
The USA won that game 119-81, and Jordan didn’t let his opponent barely even take a shot, completely dominating him.
The details can be heard here at the 50:44 mark.
