Michael Jordan's Pre-Game Gestures Reveal Something About His Performance, Former Teammate Says

A former Chicago Bulls star said that how their opponents react to Michael Jordan’s pre-game gestures had something to do with how MJ will play the game.

Horace Grant played for the Chicago Bulls from 1987 to 1994. He was an important piece of the team’s three-peat NBA title stint (1991-93). Aside from being a reliable power forward, Grant also developed a good relationship with Scottie Pippen.

Just recently, Grant made a guest appearance on HOT 97 for a discussion that mostly revolved about his former teammates Jordan and Pippen. The former Bulls star basically revealed all the memorable experiences he had during his time with the organization.

A particularly exciting piece of the interview was when Grant talked about how he and Pippen knew before the game started if they were going to win. According to Grant, it has something to do with Jordan’s pre-game gestures and how the opposing team reacts.

Grant said that Jordan likes to shake hands and do a little chat with the players of the opposing team as a sign of sportsmanship and respect. However, if they see that opponents were looking comftable and having fun with MJ, they knew it will be over.

“Scottie & I used to stand on the sideline when MJ went out to halfcourt. If we see the captains of the other team shake his hand & smile & laugh, we know we had that game. Because they’re having fun with MJ, but we knew MJ was thinking about putting the boot on your throat,” Grant revealed.

Jordan was really known for his competitiveness. During his prime, he often single-handedly destroys the opposing team’s defense, especially when players do their little trash-talk on him.

In fact, during a Bulls vs. Grizzlies game in 1995, MJ called an average player "bitch" after a horrible performance. On the said game, Jordan scored only 10 points in the first three quarters. The Bulls were losing by double digits and the team’s then Head Coach Phil Jackson decided to take Jordan out because having the best player on the floor didn’t make sense anymore. MJ sat on the bench, took off his sneakers and called it a game.

Darrick Martin, a Grizzlies player at the time, scored, got fouled, and made the and one. After which, he walked by the Bulls bench and told Michael, “Told you we’re gonna whoop you’re a-- tonight.”

Jordan put his sneakers back on and subbed into the game. He took the game over and manhandled the entire Grizzlies’ defense by scoring 19 points in the fourth quarter to secure the win. After the game, he went up to Martin and said: “Shut up, you little b----!”