BJ Armstrong and a revealing confession about Michael Jordan: “We haven’t seen his best version because he hasn’t slept in 14 years”

Benjamin Roy Armstrong, better known by basketball fans by his nickname BJ Armstrongis an outstanding point-guard who had a great career in the nineties, won three NBA titles and participated in an All Star Game in 1994. But now, at age 54, he knows that one of the things The most -forgettable moments of his athletic career playing for the Chicago Bulls by Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and other stars, under the leadership of their iconic coach, Phil Jackson.

Among them he won titles in 1991, 1992 and 1993, which were especially important in the 92nd season, when he stepped off the bench to replace the historic John Paxson and he was key in defining the game, releasing his reliable three-point shot.

30 years after golden years and never to be repeated, not only for the Bulls but for the NBA, BJ gave an interview where he recalled what it was like to play with Jordan, who is considered by many to be the best player. of basketball all season.

In addition to highlighting MJ’s competitiveness and the commitment he showed at each training session, Armstrong praised his former teammate’s talent by defining what his life was like off the court. For BJ, Michael provided advantages because he didn’t get enough rest.

Armstrong’s testimony

“I watched him play 35-40 minutes a night and then he came into training with the same strength. I have never seen someone so competitive and always active. In training I realized he was different. When everyone else was tired, Phil (Jackson) whistles and he acts like he slept for 10 hours when in fact he was playing cards or whatever he does, doesn’t eat or rest properly, ”he told The Rex Chapman Show, a popular American sports podcast.

“If he slept, we don’t know how good he was. We didn’t see Michael Jordan’s best because he didn’t sleep in those 14 years. He didn’t get much sleep, he didn’t sleep, “Armstrong added.

In “The Last Dance”, the documentary series that airs on the Netflix platform, some of the lesser-known parts of Jordan’s extra-sports are explored. One of these is his addiction to gambling, especially cards, finding any occasion to bet and have fun putting his money and cards on the table.

Armstrong did not research that topic but he insisted on the professionalism that Jordan showed in every practice, when even though he was the best of all, he tried his best as if he were a boy trying to get a place in Bulls beginners.

“He wasn’t shown training,” BJ observed. And he added, admiring: “He’s the best player in training I’ve seen. I have never seen a boy train so hard and that is what we should show the kids. Because we only showed them the games when the light was on. I was in the same place with him and I was tired, everyone else was tired. Except for him who hasn’t slept yet. “

Winning six rings in the NBA, Jordan permanently retired from basketball in 2003, playing for the Washington Wizards. Now, at age 59, he is still linked to the NBA as the owner of the Charlotte Hornets, in addition to owning a conglomerate of companies and commercial contracts that cause him to have assets estimated at over 1,600 million dollars.