Michael Jordan's ex-Teammate Reveals Why The Bulls Icon Was ‘The Devil’ in Practice & The Best Ever

Michael Jordan's ex-Teammate Reveals Why The Bulls Icon Was ‘The Devil’ in Practice & The Best Ever originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Appearing on the Scoop B Radio Podcast, NBA champion Horace Grant shared some vivid insights about what it was like playing in practice against Michael Jordan, one of basketball’s greatest icons. His words not only underscore Jordan’s legendary competitiveness but also reveal the intense atmosphere Jordan created around him — even in practice.

“Man let me tell you, we thought this guy was just the devil,” Grant told me. 

“When I say the devil, that’s out of respect.” For those who know the story of Michael Jordan, this description immediately captures the duality of admiration and fear that surrounded him. Jordan wasn’t just a player; he was an unstoppable force, especially when it came to the relentless work ethic that defined him.

Added Grant: “In terms of the way he practiced, we thought that we were the Detroit Pistons or the New York Knicks.” 

The Pistons and Knicks of that era were notorious for their physicality and toughness — teams you didn’t want to cross paths with lightly. To compare Jordan’s practice intensity to those fierce rivals is telling: it meant that even his teammates felt like opponents under his eye.

“This guy practiced so hard, and if you weren’t on his team in practice you were his enemy,” Grant explained. 

The competitiveness didn’t stop when the game clock wasn’t running. On the court during practice, teammates who might have otherwise been allies quickly found themselves challenged by Jordan’s drive and will to win. It was a mentality that pushed everyone around him to a higher level, but it was also intimidating.

“And that’s how driven this man was,” said Grant.

 “And that’s why you can say that he was the best player that ever played this game.” 
It wasn’t just Jordan’s talent that made him great, but the unyielding dedication and relentless spirit that Horace Grant witnessed firsthand.

Grant’s reflections give us a rare glimpse into the mindset that fueled Michael Jordan’s greatness — a mix of devilish competitiveness and profound respect earned through sheer will. It’s no wonder Jordan remains the standard against which all players are measured.

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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 18, 2025, where it first appeared.