When Robert Parish was unfazed by Michael Jordan telling him he would kick his ass: "No, you really aren't"

Michael Jordan was famous for being tough on his teammates due to his competitive nature and drive to win. However, Jordan was not able to intimidate Robert Parish, who joined the Chicago Bulls in the twilight of his career in 1996.

In an interview with ESPN's Jackie MacMullan in 2012, Parish said that Jordan tried to unnerve him after during one of his early practices with the Bulls. "The Chief" had already won three NBA championships at that point and was not going to back down against "His Airness."

"I told him, 'I'm not as enamored with you as these other guys. I've got some rings too,'" Parish said. "At that point he told me, 'I'm going to kick your ass.' I took one step closer and said, 'No, you really aren't.' After that he didn't bother me."

Despite their early season dust-up, Michael Jordan and Robert Parish were able to work together in the 1996-97 season. Jordan won another scoring title and narrowly lost the MVP to Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz. However, the Chicago Bulls went on to win their fifth NBA championship.

In the same interview with Jackie MacMullan, Parish revealed the difference between the leadership styles of Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. "The Chief" lauded Bird's demeanor and encouragement.

"What set Larry apart from Magic and Jordan was he wasn't an in-your-face leader like they were," Parish said. "He had too much respect for us. If you weren't having a good night, he was more inclined to encourage you, or not say anything at all. But Magic and Jordan would jump all over you."

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Robert Parish respects Michael Jordan but prefers Larry Bird as leader

Larry Bird (left) and Michael Jordan (Photo: TheSportsRush)

As mentioned earlier, Michael Jordan and Larry Bird were different kind of leaders. Jordan was mean and in-your face, while Bird was respectful. However, both styles were effective, as Jordan and the Chicago Bulls won six championships, while Bird led the Boston Celtics to three titles.

In an interview with former teammate Cedric Maxwell on CLNS Media, Parish elaborated on what really happened during his infamous practice scuffle with "His Airness." Along with the second unit, Parish beat Jordan and the starters, which MJ didn't like.

"Michael took offense to it, so I asked him, 'How did he like that butt whooping?'" Parish said. "He took offense to it because clearly no one ever manned up to him, you know, challenged him. So he said if I wasn’t careful, he was going to kick my ass. And I told him, 'I'm not in awe of you. I've played with some of the baddest fellas there walking the court.'"

Parish also said that while he respects Jordan as a player, he prefers Bird's leadership style. "The Chief" even joked that Jordan would have caught a right hand if he got in his face again.