Michael Jordan is still the ultimate competitor, driven to win in everything and against everyone. However, when it comes to picking up the restaurant bill, Will Smith discovered that the GOAT shies away from the competition.
In an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Smith was asked what it was like to hang out with Jordan, to which he answered, "It's like… a competition."
"I love being around people with that kind of competitive energy, but like, Michael can compete with anything, though. Like if we're drinking water, Mike will be like, 'I'll race you!'" Smith added.
Kimmel asked more questions, trying to probe if Jordan really does want to compete at everything. "When you go to dinner with Michael Jordan, is he racing you to pick up the check?" Jimmy asked. "Nah, yeah, he's not good at that," Smith responded.
Still, MJ's competitiveness on and off the court was unprecedented. The only one who came close to matching Jordan's competitive fire was Kobe Bryant.
That said, Phil Jackson was once asked about the difference between Kobe and Michael. One of the things Jackson mentioned was that Bryant was only competitive at basketball, and he didn't care about anything else.
Meanwhile, Jordan wanted to win at everything. The coin game with the security guard shown in the sports documentary The Last Dance is indelible proof of it. Even before one of the biggest games of his life, Jordan's way to relax was through competition.
Maybe this was what made Jordan great. Mastering the fundamentals, footwork, and fadeaway shot is possible through multiple repetitions, but the drive to win night in and night out seems like something ingrained in a person. You are either born with it or not.
Jordan's addiction to competition has gotten him into trouble during his playing days. He was criticized for being addicted to gambling, but he was just getting his kick from games. Also, Jordan had to become some sort of tyrant during his career to win. It took a toll on his teammates and himself, but Mike had no choice, as he felt that it was the only way to glory.
