Nobody was off-limits when Gary Payton talked trash, including Michael Jordan. However, he found out that Jordan could dish out some verbal punishment of his own, especially when it’s about putting a clueless rookie in his place.
It all started in a preseason game in Payton’s first year with the Seattle SuperSonics. The defensive-minded guard was doing his thing, dropping 19 points against Chicago Bulls point guard B.J. Armstrong. He was in his element, so he started talking smack.
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“And I’m a rookie, so of course I’m talking crazy. I’m talking s—t to B.J. I’m running by the bench, saying s—t to MJ. I’m staring guys down. I feel great,” Payton recalled, per The Players’ Tribune.
MJ took it personal
Payton was a natural trash-talker, but he was also just having fun. Drafted second overall by the Sonics in 1990, he aimed to make a bit of a noise and attract attention for himself.
But Jordan did take his words lightly. He was already looking forward to their regular-season meeting, scheduled on November 17, 1990. That’s when Jordan delivered a lesson that Payton never forgot.
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“A few weeks later,” Payton recalled, “we had the Bulls for the first time in the regular season, at home in Seattle. I’ve been working for it, waiting for it, I’m ready. And of course, everybody’s talking about how it’s the Bulls — how Michael’s coming to town. I’m like, O.K. I gave them 19. I know I can get down on MJ, no problem.”
“So we go out there before the game, and everybody is shaking hands at the circle. MJ wouldn’t shake my hand. He turns to B.J. and he says, ‘Leave the f—ing rookie to me,’ so everyone can hear it. S—t, O.K., I’m thinking. ‘Well, f—k it then. Bring it on,'” he adde.
As Payton remembered, every play Phil Jackson called went to Jordan, who scored a bucket on at least four consecutive possessions. He went after Payton hard and got him into foul trouble. The Glove didn’t have much of a leash back then, so K.C. Jones, the Sonics head coach at the time, decided to yank him. He stayed glued to the bench.
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And of course, Jordan delivered the final blow.
“Near the end of the game, I’m sitting on the bench, and MJ comes over to our bench — comes right up to me while the game is still going on. Coach is standing right there. Everyone on the bench is staring at him,” Payton continued. “That s—t you talking in preseason?” The wild thing is, MJ isn’t even mad or nothing. He’s chewing his f—ing gum. This is the real s—t right here. Welcome to the NBA, little fella.”
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Giving people a reality check
Jordan teaching a rookie Payton a lesson was not an isolated case. The Bulls legend has done it to anyone and everyone he thought needed a reality check.
For instance, a retired Jordan beat the Bulls rookie Corey Benjamin in a 1-on-1. The six-time champion was technically “retired,” but he was just a year removed from winning his sixth and final ring.
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On another occasion, a middle-aged Jordan showed up in a Charlotte Bobcats practice and decided to “kick some a-s.” At this point, Jordan was 47 years old, battling in-shape NBA players in their physical primes.
Moreover, Jordan rolled up with the Bobcats’ second unit and eventually beat the starters in the said practice scrimmage. To top it all off, he talked some harsh smack to Stephen Jackson, basically calling him a non-All-Star.
Whether it was a wide-eyed rookie or a seasoned pro, Jordan treated every challenger the same way. He thrived on reminding guys where they stood, no matter if they were teenagers trying to prove themselves or veterans already in the league. Either way, the Bulls made sure they all learned what the “real s—t” looked like.
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This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 13, 2025, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.