NBA champ Horace Grant reveals how intense practice with Michael Jordan really was, calling MJ “the devil” (with respect) in a wild behind-the-scenes look at the GOAT’s mindset.
“He Practiced Like We Were the Knicks”: Horace Grant on the GOAT’s Relentless Drive
When Horace Grant talks about Michael Jordan, it’s not just highlight reels and championship rings—it’s war stories from practice. Appearing on Scoop B Radio, the former Chicago Bulls forward peeled back the curtain on what it was really like to share a court with MJ when the cameras weren’t rolling.
And the first word that came to his mind?
“The devil.”
No, not in a literal sense—but in a way that sums up just how intense and relentless Jordan was, even in scrimmages.
“Man let me tell you, we thought this guy was just the devil,” Grant said.
“When I say the devil, that’s out of respect.”
Practice Was No Playground
In most NBA locker rooms, practice is where you fine-tune plays and get shots up. For Jordan? It was the arena. The battleground. A chance to dominate his own teammates just as hard as he did opponents.
“In terms of the way he practiced, we thought that we were the Detroit Pistons or the New York Knicks,” Grant added.
That’s a wild comparison. For those who need a refresher: the Pistons and Knicks in the ’90s were infamous for bruising, borderline-violent defense. And Jordan brought that level of fire to Bulls practice every day.
Friends in the Locker Room, Enemies on the Floor
“If you weren’t on his team in practice, you were his enemy,” Grant recalled.
That’s not a metaphor. That’s how Jordan operated. If you lined up against him—even in a closed gym—he wanted to break you. Outwork you. Humiliate you if necessary. That’s the energy he demanded, and if you couldn’t hang, you weren’t going to last long in a Bulls jersey.
This “us versus him” mentality might sound toxic to some, but Grant made it clear: it’s also what pushed the team to legendary heights.
Why MJ’s Legacy Hits Different
“That’s how driven this man was,” Grant said. “And that’s why you can say that he was the best player that ever played this game.”
Jordan didn’t just show up when it counted—he made every moment count. Whether it was Game 6 of the Finals or Tuesday morning practice, the intensity never dipped. That’s the secret sauce behind six rings, five MVPs, and a legacy that still looms large over today’s NBA.
The Bigger Lesson for Today’s Ballers
This peek behind the curtain isn’t just nostalgia—it’s a playbook for greatness. Jordan’s GOAT status wasn’t just built on fadeaways and dunks. It was sweat, edge, and expecting more from himself and everyone around him.
So if you’re grinding toward greatness in anything—sports, business, whatever—here’s the MJ mindset in one sentence:
If you’re not giving everything in practice, you’re not preparing to win.
Did You Know?
Michael Jordan once punched teammate Steve Kerr in practice—another example of just how intense things could get behind the scenes during those dynasty years.
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