Why I Kept My Distance From Jordan and Pippen on the Bulls

Why I Kept My Distance From Jordan and Pippen on the Bulls

When I first got to the Bulls,
I didn’t like hanging out with Jordan and Pippen.

Not because they were bad guys.
But because they were too right.

They were the face of the team.
The leaders.
The center of attention.

They talked about game plans, championships, legacy.
I thought about rebounds.
Defense.
Throwing my body on the floor just to survive the fight.

I didn’t want to be defined by them.
In Detroit, I learned how to stand on my own.
I didn’t need to fit in.
And I didn’t want to live in anyone’s shadow.

So I kept my distance.
No socializing.
No small talk.
I spoke on the court.

Later, I understood something.
We didn’t need to be friends.

They were responsible for winning games.
I was responsible for making it easier for them to win.

That distance wasn’t disrespect.
It was understanding our roles.

That’s why we barely talked.