Michael Jordan was a super competitor. No one would resent losing more, no one would take anything personally, and no one would be callous (and incapable) of exacting greater revenge. This was true on the hard courts, but it also extended to the golf course, where Jordan’s all-encompassing desire to win was equally legendary. Over the years, on a few rare occasions, the two super cells have come together to create a whirlwind that destroys everything in its path. According to Boston Celtics legend Danny Ainge, that’s exactly what happened on April 20, 1986.
Earlier this month, Ainge recalled Game 2 of the 1986 Boston Celtics first-round playoff series against the Chicago Bulls during an interview with the Knuckleheads Podcast. The Celtics defeated the Bulls 135-131 in double overtime, but Jordan scored 63 points against a dynasty defense. , breaking the single-game postseason scoring record set by Elgin Baylor in 1962. After the game, Larry Bird said “I think it’s just God disguised as Michael Jordan.” To this day, MJ’s mark remains.
So what caused this record-breaking explosion? According to Ainge, taking Jordan’s money at the golf course the day before was a mistake.
Jordan eventually came to his senses and started playing golf on his own terms, just like basketball. For example, Scottie Pippen still believes Jordan once bought him a shiny new set of golf clubs just so he could take the money to the golf course. But in 1986, Jordan was just a kid. He was just a second-year player who missed most of the season with a foot injury. He still has a lot to learn about how big companies conduct business off the field. Angie made a mistake while teaching him.
In the end, it didn’t hit the Celtics too hard. A few weeks later, they won the NBA Finals and are still considered one of the most dominant teams in NBA history nearly 40 years later. However, Ainge’s innocent round of golf awakened the bull inside Jordan, and for the next two decades, that bull spared no one.
I think we speak for everyone when we say, “Thank you very much,” Danny.