Van Gundy Trash Talking Michael Jordan And It Went HORRIBLY Wrong… “Con Man”
Michael Jordan, the undisputed king of basketball, was no stranger to trash talk. Over his illustrious career, countless players, coaches, and commentators tried to get under his skin, only to find themselves on the wrong side of his wrath. But one incident stood out—a moment when Jeff Van Gundy, then the head coach of the New York Knicks, made the mistake of calling Jordan a “con man.” What followed was a legendary performance that cemented Jordan’s reputation as the ultimate competitor.
The rivalry between the Chicago Bulls and the New York Knicks was one of the fiercest in NBA history. In the 1990s, the Knicks, led by stars like Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley, and John Starks, were known for their physical, no-nonsense style of play. They were one of the few teams that could consistently challenge the Bulls, but more often than not, Michael Jordan found a way to crush their hopes.
On this particular occasion, the tension was already high. The Knicks were desperate to prove they could hang with the Bulls, and Van Gundy knew his team needed an edge. In the days leading up to the game, he made a bold statement during an interview. Van Gundy accused Jordan of being a “con man,” claiming that the superstar used his friendships with other players to lull them into a false sense of security before destroying them on the court.
“He cons them by inviting them to his movies, smiling at them, and pretending to care,” Van Gundy said. “Then he goes out there and physically tries to destroy them.”
Jordan, who was always on the lookout for extra motivation, didn’t take kindly to the comments. He stored Van Gundy’s words in his mental “memory bank,” a place where every slight, real or perceived, was filed away for future use. By the time the game rolled around, Jordan was locked in, ready to make Van Gundy eat his words.
The game took place at Madison Square Garden, the Mecca of Basketball. The Knicks had home-court advantage, but it didn’t take long for Jordan to silence the crowd. From the opening tip, he was relentless, scoring 18 points in the first quarter alone. Knicks players like Alan Houston and Chris Childs tried to guard him, but it was like trying to stop a freight train with a paper wall. Jordan was simply unstoppable.
As the game progressed, Jordan continued to pour it on. He attacked the rim with ferocity, drained mid-range jumpers with ease, and even stepped back to knock down three-pointers. Every time he scored, he glanced at the Knicks’ bench, making sure Van Gundy knew exactly who was in charge. By halftime, Jordan had already racked up 27 points, and the Bulls were in control.
Van Gundy, for his part, tried to rally his team. He called timeouts, adjusted defensive schemes, and implored his players to make Jordan uncomfortable. But nothing worked. Jordan was in one of those zones where it didn’t matter who was guarding him or how many defenders were thrown his way. He was going to score.
The fourth quarter was vintage Jordan. With the game still somewhat within reach, he took over, scoring 24 points in the final period. His jump shot was automatic, his footwork was impeccable, and his confidence was unshakable. Every time the Knicks thought they had him contained, he found a way to break free. By the end of the game, Jordan had scored 51 points, his highest total of the season.
The most iconic moment came late in the game when Jordan hit a tough fadeaway jumper over Houston. As the ball swished through the net, Jordan turned to the Knicks’ bench and stared directly at Van Gundy. He didn’t need to say a word—his performance had done all the talking. Van Gundy, visibly frustrated, could do nothing but watch as Jordan dismantled his team.
After the game, reporters asked Jordan if Van Gundy’s comments had motivated him. He didn’t deny it. “Did I take it personally? Yes,” Jordan said with a sly smile. “But I don’t want to say what I said to him on TV.”
Van Gundy, for his part, stood by his comments. “I told the truth,” he said. “Jordan uses his friendships to his advantage, but that doesn’t take away from how great he is. He’s the best player I’ve ever seen.”
Jordan’s teammates, including longtime friend Charles Oakley, had mixed feelings about the situation. Oakley, who had played alongside Jordan in Chicago before joining the Knicks, admitted that playing against his friend was always a challenge. “Mike’s competitive with everyone,” Oakley said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re his friend or not. When the lights come on, he’s coming for you.”
The game became one of the most talked-about moments in the Bulls-Knicks rivalry. For Jordan, it was another chapter in his legacy, a reminder that he thrived on adversity and used criticism as fuel. For Van Gundy, it was a lesson in the dangers of poking the bear.
Years later, Van Gundy reflected on the incident with a mix of regret and admiration. “I probably shouldn’t have said it,” he admitted. “But that’s who Michael is. He takes everything personally, and that’s what makes him the greatest.”
Jordan’s performance against the Knicks that night was more than just a showcase of his basketball skills—it was a testament to his mental toughness and competitive spirit. Whether it was a coach’s trash talk, an opponent’s physicality, or the weight of expectations, Jordan always found a way to rise above. And in doing so, he left no doubt that he was, and always would be, the greatest of all time.
