There’s always room for another story about the mindset that made Michael Jordan the greatest basketball player ever. Books like Sam Smith’s “The Jordan Rules” and David Halberstam’s “Playing For Keeps” have chronicled Jordan’s intense competitive drive during his career. Over time, more former players have shared their experiences, adding to the legend of Jordan.
Another Jordan story has surfaced, shared by former Timberwolves teammates Kevin Garnett and Isaiah Rider. The internet has pieced together separate interviews of Garnett and Rider recounting the same tale from a 1996 game against Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.
In short, Rider was having an excellent game, and Garnett, then a rookie, kept encouraging him to challenge Jordan. Jordan overheard Garnett’s comments and responded by dominating the fourth quarter, leading the Bulls to a decisive victory.
The game in question took place on February 27, 1996. The Bulls were ahead 82-76 at the start of the fourth quarter but went on to win 120-99. Jordan finished the game with 35 points, seven assists, and six rebounds.
This story adds another layer to the legend of Michael Jordan, showcasing his ability to rise to any challenge and dominate the game.
Here is an edited transcript of the video of Garnett and Rider telling the story:
Rider: So KG had never seen me play against Michael.
KG: We’re in Chicago. It’s my rookie year.
Rider: And I got about 24 going into the fourth quarter.
KG: JR is having a good game.
Rider: So I’m quiet, I always stayed quiet when I’m playing, I didn’t talk too much.
Rider: We come out in the fourth quarter and KG is like “Man, keeping going at his ass, serve him, he can’t guard you.”
KG: “Keep killing him, keep killing him, straight up, you’re having a good game.”
Rider: I was quiet, I’m looking at him like, just chill, because Mike was literally right there.
KG: He’s right here. Mike can hear me. So I double down.
Rider: (impersonating KG) “I don’t care. Keep going at him.”
KG: As I say that, I feel it.
Rider: So Mike looks at me, looks at KG.
KG: Hands on hips, legs locked. And then he stares at me for about 15 seconds
Rider: I was like, “Mike, he don’t know the rules of the game, he’s just a young pup.”
KG: I see him and Mike have a conversation. “He don’t really know, he’s excited.”
Rider: Mike looked at him like OK. Looked at me like OK. I said, “What you lookin’ at me like that for?”
KG: I can’t even describe the next six, seven minutes of play, yo.
Rider: We went to the fourth quarter, that man got about 17 quick.
KG: We’re down 25 now, it was just at two.
Rider: He’s mad, looking at KG, looking at me, looking KG.
KG: It got bad quick.
KG: I’m like, “JR, my bad, dog. Sorry, man. I’m sorry.” He said, “It’s good man, I told you shut your ass up”
KG: Mike came over like “Damn, young fella, damn, y’all done?” Never talked shit to Mike ever again in life.
