Ex-Lakers coach recalls how he almost slapped Michael Jordan

Former NBA coach Mike Dunleavy Sr. shared an exciting story about NBA great Michael Jordan in a recent interview.

Ex-Lakers coach recalls how he almost slapped Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan and Mike Dunleavy Sr.

NBA great Michael Jordan has been one of the most illustrious players to play in the league. He was known for his competitiveness and ‘never give up’ approach during his playing years. Jordan never shied away from speaking his mind and was always vocal whenever needed. Regarding this, former head coach and player Mike Dunleavy Sr. shared an intriguing story.

In an appearance on FanDuel TV’s Run It Back show, Dunleavy Sr. disclosed that Michael Jordan almost got into a brawl with him during their first meeting. Jordan and Dunleavy first met when Jordan unintentionally slapped Dunleavy during a game while playing for Team USA in the 1984 Olympics. That incident had made rounds around the sport back then.

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It was a turnover, the ball gets thrown down to the left corner and he’s going from the left corner into the basket, And I’m at halfcourt, I’m just hustling… So I have my full hand going through his face and I try to catch him on the way down, He wanted to fight when he got (down). I said, ‘Look, dude. tried to catch. I get why you want to fight.’

On the Run It Back Show, Mike Dunleavy Sr. said

Jordan’s desire to fight after being slapped across the face is understandable, but it appears that things did not go out of hand. It was all unintentional, and more sensible people won out. Jordan would later assist Team USA in winning the Olympic gold medal. He is now considered by many to be the best player of all time, and it was his big break on the global scene.

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In addition, Dunleavy Sr also played Jordan in the 3rd game of his rookie season. That said. he did not have his best night. On the other hand, on October 29, 1984, Jordan scored 22 points for the Chicago Bulls. This was against the Milwaukee Bucks in the fourth quarter. That evening, he led the Bulls to a 116-110 victory with 37 points.

Mike Dunleavy Sr. ‘boldly’ said that Michael Jordan is at the ‘top”

Given how highly Mike Dunleavy Sr. has praised Michael Jordan, it should not be shocking that he believes he is the best of all time. In the same episode, Dunleavy expressed his admiration for Jordan’s work ethic and his belief. He believed that no other player could match it apart from one. He chose another great, the late Kobe Bryant alongside Jordan when it comes to work ethic in the sport.

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“Michael’s Michael. I mean, obviously, in my mind, the best player to ever play, and other than Michael and then maybe Kobe (Bryant)… as far as competitors and workers, both those guys, I don’t know how they did it. 5 a.m. in the morning, they were up. They were basically, from a work ethic standpoint, at the top of the list.”

Mike Dunleavy Sr. said

One of the main reasons Jordan and Bryant were so dominant on the floor was their amazing work ethic. Despite their striking similarities, Dunleavy handed the Bulls legend the advantage. As was previously noted, Jordan is usually considered the greatest, so he is not the only one who has done it.