"He never ever allowed Air Jordan to enter into the locker room" - BJ Armstrong said Michael Jordan was very different behind the scenes
"He never ever allowed Air Jordan to enter into the locker room" - BJ Armstrong said Michael Jordan was very different behind the scenes originally appeared on Basketball Network.
BJ Armstrong spent six memorable seasons alongside Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. During which he had the unique opportunity to observe not just Jordan's relentless pursuit of excellence as a player, but also his role as the face of the NBA.
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Throughout this period, Armstrong noted that MJ's ambition extended beyond just winning championships and collecting accolades. It was about becoming the best version of himself both on and off the court. Despite the immense popularity and the spotlight that followed Jordan, Armstrong revealed that Mike consistently shied away from embracing the fame that came with being a superstar.
He noted that amidst all the attention and success, His Airness maintained a remarkable humility, never allowing his teammates to feel inferior or as if he were on a pedestal far above them.
"The character, the Air Jordan figure that he created, was something that I think he did because, truthfully, he wasn't fully comfortable being a star," BJ said of Jordan in a piece he wrote for Sky Sports in 2022. "I don't know that for sure, but his ability was so ridiculously incredible that he had to create something which allowed him to cope with it."
"One of the things that's always I found interesting about him is that on a deep level, I don't think he ever wanted to be a star," he further revealed.
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"I don't ever think it's occurred to him to say, 'I'm playing the game so I can be this transcendent superstar.' It was more like something that he knew he had to tolerate and put up with," Armstrong wondered.
"It didn't enter into the equation of the real reasons why he wanted to play, but I think he understood that it was part of what was going to come with the territory when he made the commitment to be the very best version of himself." Armstrong continued. "I think it was so incredibly simple to him that he never even thought twice about it because he never ever allowed Air Jordan to enter into the locker room or a conversation."
Jordan knew Air Jordan had to exist
Armstrong is also certain that Jordan's perception of his own superstardom was distinctly different from that of other elite NBA players of his caliber. Unlike those who bask in the glow of their popularity, MJ viewed his status through a unique lens.
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For him, being a global icon was not just about personal glory and financial success. Instead, Jordan saw his brand and image as integral components of his responsibilities as a professional athlete. Nothing more, nothing less.
Armstrong emphasized that Jordan approached his stature with a sense of duty. He believed that projecting a strong public persona was essential, not for him but for the fans who admired him and the organization that supported him.
As he looked back on those years, Armstrong reflected that Jordan's admirable perspective allowed him to maintain a level of authenticity, as he never felt the need to engage in this portrayal for his own validation. By separating his public image from his personal identity, MJ was able to focus on what truly mattered: his performance on the court and his commitment to winning.
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"I think he recognized that persona and he understood the business of what that person meant to the league, to the team, to the fans, to nearly everyone except those of us working closest to him," Armstrong reflected.
Related: "When you start endangering people's health, it's taking away from the beauty of the game" - Michael Jordan criticized how the Pistons and the Knicks played the game
Not all Bulls players knew who MJ the person was
As a reliable point guard, Armstrong played a pivotal role in helping the Bulls win their first three NBA championships. Understandably, he considers this remarkable chapter of his career not only the pinnacle of his achievements as a player but also as a unique opportunity to develop a deep connection with Jordan both on and off the court.
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For BJ, being part of that legendary Bulls squad was a stroke of luck, as it enabled him to truly understand who MJ was beyond the public persona. In the process, Armstrong truly appreciated Jordan's skills, drive, dedication to the game, and, most importantly, his character.
As time passed by, Jordan morphed into an iconic figure not only in the NBA but in the world of sports. With that in mind, Armstrong believes that those who joined the Bulls in the team's second three-peat only knew "Air Jordan," the biggest name in the game, but not Mike the person.
"The [players on the first title teams] got to know Michael, the person," Armstrong once said, per ESPN. "The new guys never got to know that person. They only knew the Air Jordan character. He jumped in and started playing, so they couldn't develop that relationship. Scottie [Pippen] knew that and knew he had to manage the other guys."
All told, it's quite fascinating to discover that the way Jordan approached his fame fostered a sense of unity and teamwork. By constantly doing so, he laid the foundation of one the league's greatest dynasties and proved that even the most talented players can remain grounded while striving for greatness.
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Related: "Michael was wrong" - Scottie Pippen feels the Chicago Bulls won in spite of Michael Jordan's leadership style
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
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