Robert Parish contrasting Bird's leadership style with MJ's

[D.Brasco]

"What set Larry apart from Magic and Jordan was he wasn't an in-your-face leader like they were," Parish said. "He had too much respect for us. If you weren't having a good night, he was more inclined to encourage you, or not say anything at all.

"But Magic and Jordan would jump all over you."

In one of his first practices with the Bulls, Parish botched one of the plays and was amused to find Jordan jawing at him just inches from his face.

"I told him, 'I'm not as enamored with you as these other guys. I've got some rings too,' " Parish recalled. "At that point he told me, 'I'm going to kick your ass.' I took one step closer and said, 'No, you really aren't.' After that he didn't bother me."

http://espn.go.com/boston/nba/story/_/id/7662366/big-3-final-run-stirs-bittersweet-memories-original-trio

[cmoney24x]

As time passes, I find it amusing how much more we find out about how Jordan really was back them. Personally, I think his image would take a major hit in todays social media society.

[MitchellUK]

As time passes, I find it amusing how much more we find out about how Jordan really was back them. Personally, I think his image would take a major hit in todays social media society.

Of course it would. Stories about Jordan punching Steve Kerr or endlessly ragging on Bill Cartwright, Luc Longley or Toni Kukoc have been around for a long time. He took jabs at Scottie Pippen for a long time because he considered him soft and didn't want the Bulls to go after him on draft night. Until you proved yourself to Jordan, he could be ass.

[Amish Mafioso]

Hard to criticize MJ when we know the results of his leadership.

[SunKing]

As time passes, I find it amusing how much more we find out about how Jordan really was back them. Personally, I think his image would take a major hit in todays social media society.

Of course it would. Stories about Jordan punching Steve Kerr or endlessly ragging on Bill Cartwright, Luc Longley or Toni Kukoc have been around for a long time.

Didn't Cartwright told MJ if he disrespected him again like that he would break his knees or something like that ?

Edit :

And suddenly, plays called by Collins were being ignored as Jordan took the ball to the basket. But who could really complain, since the Bulls had started to win? Eventually, though, word got back to Cartwright. He didn`t do or say anything to anybody until late that season, when he told Jordan he needed to talk to him.

There was little small talk exchanged. ``I don`t like the things I`ve heard you say about me,`` Cartwright told Jordan.

Jordan stared at him.

``If I ever hear again that you`re telling guys not to pass me the ball,`` Cartwright continued, ``you will never play basketball again.``

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1991 ... ce-grant/2

[Bar Fight]

Jordan dodged a bullet there. If he would've tried anything with Chief his career might've ended a few years early.

[DoubleLintendre]

Parish with the underrated badass move.

I don't think Jordan would be able to get away with the same degree of intimidation leadership in modern times, not with the social media giving us a open window into every player's life. But in a way you look at at how buddy-buddy and "fun" it seems to play with today's greats, with leaders like Lebron, and you see the degree of difference between now and back then about what was acceptable behavior with leadership styles and locker room culture.

[MinneOOPalis]

Sounds a lot like Kobe

[83SixersRocked]

As time passes, I find it amusing how much more we find out about how Jordan really was back them. Personally, I think his image would take a major hit in todays social media society.

Of course it would. Stories about Jordan punching Steve Kerr or endlessly ragging on Bill Cartwright, Luc Longley or Toni Kukoc have been around for a long time. He took jabs at Scottie Pippen for a long time because he considered him soft and didn't want the Bulls to go after him on draft night. Until you proved yourself to Jordan, he could be ass.

Even afterwards. I don't think he ever got over Scottie being picked up by Madonna in her limo when they'd play in LA.

[VC-INJURY]

Kobe sounds a lot like MJ

Fixed it for you. Remember: Kobe always copies MJ.

[The4thHorseman]

Yet major media outlets today are making a huge deal about whether Kevin Love and LeBron are friends.

[Doddage]

Did Jordan really think he would kick the 7'0", 250 lbs Robert Parish's ass?

[MrKnox]

Did Jordan really think he would kick the 7'0", 250 lbs Robert Parish's ass?

I think he meant it figuratively, like on the basketball court during practice.

[LeonSmith]

This is exactly what Jordan wanted though, for Parish to step to him. He wasn't doing it just to be an bully (although it definitely was an bully move), it was so he knew if an opponent tried to do something to Parish (or Cartwright, or Kerr, or any teammate) they'd do the same thing and stand up for themselves and the team. It was a trust thing. It was why he bonded so quickly with guys like Charles Oakley.

It was also why the Bulls ended up getting rid of guys like Brad Sellers and Stacey King and ultimately it worked for them. Some leaders pat you on the back, some get in your face. Both ways can work, this way worked for Jordan and the Bulls.

[oldschooled]

Bird, for me, was a better leader than Jordan. I remember when Bird was asked about his team's performance against the Lakers on the Finals, he said that his teams played w/ no heart. After that the series shifted to being physical w/ Boston winning the chip. That's when Mchale also clotheslined Rambis.

[JeepCSC]

As time passes, I find it amusing how much more we find out about how Jordan really was back them. Personally, I think his image would take a major hit in todays social media society.

These things weren't unknown at the time. I was 10 and I knew Jordan was gambling in the hours before playoff games. Unflattering stories about Jordan's competitiveness were part of his legend as it was happening. Frankly it added to his appeal for most of my friends.

[Rasheeed!!!]

Yeah as a kid heard stories of a similar nature but because was my hero I was in denial haha. Now as an adult they are somewhat funny. MJ is still my fav player of all time despite being a POS as a person.

[PaulieWal]

As time passes, I find it amusing how much more we find out about how Jordan really was back them. Personally, I think his image would take a major hit in todays social media society.

These things weren't unknown at the time. I was 10 and I knew Jordan was gambling in the hours before playoff games. Unflattering stories about Jordan's competitiveness were part of his legend as it was happening. Frankly it added to his appeal for most of my friends.

Even if you personally knew about those stories that exposure is still not even remotely comparable to what would happen in the 24/7 social media era.

[JeepCSC]

Certainly it isn't comparable. But the fact is this isn't really new things. But yes, in general, social media has given the sports radio nutso of the 90s a broader platform.

[LBJ]

Bird has 3 rings.. Jordan has 6.