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[Saba Sports News] Bulls legend Michael Jordan was a dominant force on the court and a natural leader, but as his former teammate Steve Kerr revealed, being on Jordan’s team wasn’t always easy. Kerr admitted that Jordan constantly tested his teammates, pushing them to toughen up for the playoffs and Finals.
“There’s a mutual respect that exists. We don’t stay in touch much, but when we do see each other, it’s fun to relive those days. Being his teammate was hard; he was really tough on everybody because he believed in toughening us up for the big games. He came after us, and you had to survive the MJ test. Those who did earned his respect. People know about the fight we got into—it was just him testing me.”
Kerr was referring to an incident before the 1995-96 season when a practice turned heated, leading to a physical altercation between him and Jordan. Although Jordan later regretted his actions, the two reconciled and went on to win multiple championships together.
Jordan’s presence on the court made life easier for his Bulls teammates by drawing defensive attention and creating opportunities for others like Kerr, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman. Jordan’s career stats and accolades are legendary, including six championships, five MVPs, and 14 All-Star selections, solidifying his status as arguably the greatest player of all time.
Jordan’s relentless competitive spirit, while challenging, forged one of the most dominant dynasties in basketball history. Those who passed his rigorous tests, like Kerr, earned their place in basketball immortality. For Kerr, despite the challenges, he looks back on his time with Jordan without regrets, understanding the importance of those experiences both on and off the court.