New Book on Bulls Shows Another Side of Jordan

A soon-to-be-published book contends Michael Jordan told the Chicago Bulls not to pass the ball to a teammate in the closing minutes of games and once punched a teammate in the head during practice, a published report said.

“The Jordan Rules,” by Chicago Tribune sportswriter Sam Smith, will soon be published by Simon & Schuster. The Chicago Sun-Times said in Monday’s editions that it has obtained an advance copy.

The book reportedly details the infighting the Bulls overcame to win the NBA title and is advertised as “an inside story of a turbulent season.”

According to the Sun-Times account, the book reports that Jordan warned teammates against passing the ball to center Bill Cartwright in the final four minutes of a game.

“If you do, you’ll never get the ball from me,” Jordan reportedly said.

The book also reports that Jordan slugged backup center Will Perdue during practice.

Jordan has seen galley proofs of the book. The Sun-Times reported that his only comment was, “A lot of things appeared that were said in confidence.”

Jordan said in a television interview that the book is inaccurate.

“If I’m going to get knocked off this pedestal, I’m going to make sure I do something to be knocked off,” he said. “I’m not going to let someone else knock me off for no apparent reason for comments that I didn’t say.”

Forward Horace Grant, who occasionally is critical of Jordan, denied the incidents took place.

“It’s untrue, all of that stuff is untrue,” Grant said. “It’s a whole bunch of nonsense.”