“He has a very positive attitude even though he’s been losing against me” - When Michael Jordan teased Patrick Ewing for constantly losing against him

During his reign of dominance in the NBA, Michael Jordan was a major roadblock for many stars aiming to win a championship, including Patrick Ewing, who was eliminated from the playoffs five times by Jordan’s Chicago Bulls (excluding the ‘93-94 season). While MJ consistently bested Big Pat when it mattered the most, he recognized that the New York Knicks center hated losing more than anyone,

Nevertheless, Mike trolled Ewing for having a positive attitude despite repeatedly coming up short against him.

Michael Jordan trolled Ewing

In his interview with SLAM Magazine in 1997, right after winning his fifth Larry O’Brien trophy, the five-time MVP was asked to name the players he believed hated to lose the most. In response, Mike mentioned Scottie Pippen, Charles Barkley, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Ewing .

However, Jordan couldn’t resist trolling ‘The Big Fella,’ mocking him for having a positive attitude despite never achieving success against him.

"I think Pippen hates to lose... Olajuwon hates to lose. I think Barkley. And Ewing totally hates to lose," Jordan said . "I mean, he has a very positive attitude … even though he's been losing against me."

Though Ewing may have lost 30 out of the 43 regular-season games and 19 of the 27 postseason games against Michael Jordan, he still managed to make his presence felt. The 7'0" center consistently made his mark by averaging 22.1 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks across all those contests.

Jordan dominated Ewing even before coming into the NBA

MJ didn’t just hinder Ewing’s success in the NBA; he also famously knocked down the game-winning jumper in the 1982 NCAA Championship Game, leading his UNC Tar Heels to a 63-62 victory over Ewing’s Georgetown.

Although Patrick boasted better individual stats, with 23 points and 11 rebounds compared to Mike’s 16 points and nine rebounds, it was the latter who enjoyed the last laugh.

Safe to say, little did anyone know that this triumph symbolized the years of frustration Ewing would face against Jordan-led teams. Despite the relentless competition and numerous defeats, Pat’s unwavering positive attitude highlights his sportsmanship and determination. It's a testament to his character that even Mike, the ultimate competitor, couldn't help but notice and playfully acknowledge it.

Related: “I don’t think there’s no one clear GOAT” - Rasheed Wallace on why he doesn’t like the comparisons between Jordan, LeBron, and Kobe