“Oh, look at you. You’re like Michael Jordan’s son” – Former Bulls journeyman couldn’t believe how good Michael Jordan was to him

This story kind of breaks the narrative that MJ was a ruthless dictator to his teammates.

Michael Jordan earned a reputation for being a harsh and demanding teammate during his prime years with the Chicago Bulls. His savageness was well-documented, and even to this day, accounts of Jordan humiliating some of his teammates are still coming out. However, that was never the case with former Bulls point guard Corey Williams.

Fresh off Oklahoma State, Williams was drafted by the Bulls in 1992, right after MJ led the team to back-to-back titles. He only played for the Bulls for one year. He was a third-stringer all season, but Jordan made his stint with the Bulls unforgettable. According to Corey, MJ took him under his wing, and he displayed genuine loyalty in return.

“It was like a dream come true. You would dream about having an opportunity to play with him at some point or against him. When I got drafted, it was like a kid in the candy store,” the former Bulls journeyman told Pig Trail Nation of his memories with Jordan in 2020.

“For me, as a rookie, he ordered all my stuff,” Williams enthusiastically recalled. “I wore Air Jordans. I wore the Air Jordan warm-ups, and I used to get ragged on by the other players saying, ‘Oh, look at you. You’re like Michael Jordan’s son.’ I was like, ‘You say whatever you say, but I am getting free Air Jordan stuff, so it doesn’t matter.’”

MJ knew well how to motivate rookies

Like any other NBA rookie, Corey was already grateful for the opportunity to play alongside the greatest player of all time. Developing a personal bond with Jordan seemed impossible, but to his surprise, it still happened.

Mike was at the peak of his prowess when Williams arrived in Chicago. At the time, the Bulls’ primary goal was to win another championship and complete a three-peat. However, Williams revealed that MJ had set a personal goal for himself: to win a title for him.

The Bulls ultimately secured their third NBA championship in 1993, with Jordan winning the Finals MVP. Despite barely playing, Williams was elated. However, what made this momentous experience even more special was Mike’s unexpected tribute to “Peewee,” a nickname of Corey’s that the Bulls superstar always called him.

“Before the season, [Jordan] he said, ‘Peewee, I’m going to win you a championship,’” Corey fondly remembered. “And so, when we won, he said, ‘Where is Peewee? Where is Peewee?’ and he said, ‘Didn’t I tell you? Didn’t I tell you? And he gets on national TV and says my name. This is the great Michael Jordan; he didn’t have to mention me.”

A motivator and a fierce competitor

Despite being retired for years, Williams is frequently reminded of Jordan’s kindness and thoughtfulness. During his brief time with the Bulls, the NBA legend took him under his wing, offering guidance and support that left a lasting impression.

Corey often reminisces about how “His Airness,” with his generous spirit, made him feel valued and welcomed all the time. However, amid these memories of mentorship and camaraderie, He also vividly recalls the intense competitiveness that defined Jordan’s character. No matter the situation, on or off the court, Williams said Jordan was fiercely driven to win.

“If it’s marbles, I’m a better marble player than you. If it was pool, he felt like he was a better pool player than you were,” he said, describing how insanely competitive Mike was.

MJ did the same thing with Oakley
Williams wasn’t the only Bulls rookie who experienced how it was to be guided by Jordan. During Charles Oakley’s rookie season in the league, MJ was also there to ensure he was absorbing the right things coming straight out of the best player in the world.

For Jordan, it was essential for Oakley to be led to the correct path. For that to happen, Oak needed an impactful figure like him to lead the way.

“Instead of being arm in arm with a beautiful woman, Jordan is side by side with Charles Oakley. Jordan led the balloting for the Eastern Conference team, but a broken foot he suffered in the third game of the season was going to keep him home until the NBA persuaded him to appear for public relations’ sake. They rewarded him with an all-expense-paid weekend for the guest of his choice, and he invited Oakley, the Bulls’ rookie,” Chicago Tribune writer Bob Sakamoto wrote.

“I’m going to be like a big brother to him. We have a great relationship, and that’s how the whole team has to be,” Jordan said.

The combination of Mike’s compassion and his unwavering competitive spirit created a unique dynamic that Williams and Oakley will always cherish and remember. So, despite his image as a demanding teammate, Jordan was also a caring mentor.