In a recent revelation, former NBA player Damon Stoudemire shared a humorous insight into Michael Jordan’s clever ploy to avoid paying his employees. Stoudemire recalled a plane journey with Jordan and his staff, where the basketball legend engaged in card games with his team.
“Mike was talking so bad to those dudes,” Stoudemire chuckled. “Mike was playing cards with the dudes that work for him. Beating them and telling them, ‘It’s cool, I don’t got to pay you this week.’ That’s how he was.”
Despite being a rookie, Stoudemire was invited to join the card games by Jordan. Wisely declining, Stoudemire spared himself from potential losses, as Jordan was known for making opponents pay up. This incident sheds light on Jordan’s love for gambling, a trait he displayed even before becoming the billionaire figure he is today.
Jordan’s $1 Blackjack Games
In another intriguing episode, it was revealed that Jordan eagerly participated in $1 blackjack games with Bulls role players, driven not by the money itself but by his desire to claim victory over his teammates.
“Jordan wanted in,” recalled Will Perdue, a Bulls’ first-rounder. In a competitive exchange, when questioned about playing with them, Jordan replied, ‘So I can say I have your money in my pocket.'”
Jordan’s relentless competitiveness was not solely about the money; it was about asserting dominance in every aspect of life. Whether through card games or blackjack, Jordan sought to demonstrate his prowess and relished the thrill of emerging victorious.
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This glimpse into Jordan’s playful yet strategic approach to competition provides a humorous perspective on the legendary athlete’s mindset, showcasing that, for him, the joy of winning often transcended monetary gains.
