Michael Jordan’s legendary status has been built on countless iconic performances, but a recently uncovered story from former Bulls teammate Craig Hodges reveals just how unconventional—and unapologetically confident—Jordan’s approach to the game could be.

Hodges recounted a remarkable incident from March 1992 in Miami, where Jordan, instead of following the typical pregame routine of rest and preparation, asked the team bus to drop him off at a bar after shootaround.

He spent hours drinking beer, then rejoined his teammates on the bus en route to the arena, still wearing his sweats and smelling strongly of alcohol.

This wasn’t some exaggerated myth or rumor; Hodges was there, witnessing it firsthand.

Jordan himself joked about seeing “three rims” during warm-ups and confidently declared he’d shoot at the middle one.

By halftime, he had already scored 30 points, finishing the game with 37 points, nine rebounds, and 13 assists as the Bulls crushed the Miami Heat by 16 points.

Hodges’ story underscores the sheer dominance and self-assuredness that defined Jordan’s career.

While most players would be disciplined or benched for such behavior today, Jordan’s results made any criticism irrelevant.

His teammates accepted his unconventional methods because he consistently delivered on the court.

The game in question was a regular-season finale, essentially a playoff scouting mission, yet Jordan’s mindset was anything but cautious.

When asked about the upcoming playoffs, he told his teammates, “If y’all can’t beat them, we don’t need to win a championship. Y’all could beat them without me.” This statement epitomizes the killer mentality that fueled Jordan’s legendary competitiveness.

Hodges also offered rare insight into the Bulls’ locker room dynamics, challenging the popular narrative portrayed in “The Last Dance” documentary.

Contrary to the image of Jordan as the undisputed alpha, Hodges explained that veteran Bill Cartwright ran the locker room, maintaining order and keeping egos in check.

This hierarchy allowed Jordan to push his teammates hard without fracturing team chemistry.

It also meant that Jordan’s sometimes unorthodox behavior, like drinking before games, was tolerated because the veterans trusted his process and results.

The story also touches on the Bulls’ battles with the Detroit Pistons, who employed the notorious “Jordan Rules”—a physical strategy aimed at intimidating and disrupting Jordan’s rhythm.

The Bulls initially struggled, but learned to absorb punishment, stay focused, and trust their athleticism.

This mental toughness was key to overcoming Detroit’s dominance and launching the Bulls’ six-championship dynasty.

Hodges didn’t shy away from discussing Scottie Pippen’s role, asserting that Pippen was more naturally gifted than Jordan in many ways—taller, with elite handles and defensive instincts.

However, Pippen lacked Jordan’s unshakable confidence, coming from a smaller school and feeling the need to constantly prove himself.

Financial tensions also existed, as Pippen felt Jordan could have helped him negotiate better contracts, but that never happened.

Remarkably, despite their long partnership and shared success, Jordan and Pippen never had a private dinner together, highlighting Jordan’s focus on championships over friendships.

Hodges drew a sharp contrast between Jordan’s era and today’s NBA.

Modern teams obsessively control player narratives, monitoring everything from sleep to diet, and leak stories about players’ lifestyles to justify personnel decisions.

He criticized this approach as hypocritical, noting that Jordan’s freedom to drink before games and still dominate would be unthinkable today.

This story forces a reconsideration of what professionalism means in basketball.

Jordan’s confidence and results allowed him to operate outside today’s strictures, while today’s players face unprecedented scrutiny and control.

Hodges’ firsthand account reveals a locker room culture built on respect, accountability, and trust in the process—qualities that helped make Jordan’s Bulls one of the greatest dynasties in sports history.

In an era dominated by load management, social media narratives, and corporate oversight, Jordan’s story stands as a reminder of a different kind of greatness: raw, fearless, and uncompromising.

Could any player today get away with what Jordan did? Hodges’ story suggests the game—and its culture—have changed dramatically.