I played with Michael Jordan on USA Olympic team – I loved when he challenged me to a game because he never beat me
THERE haven’t been too many basketball players who got the better of Michael Jordan on the court.
But Indiana guard Steve Alford did just that during practice with the 1984 United States Olympic team.
Steve Alford in action for the Sacramento KingsCredit: Getty
Alford is currently the head coach of the Nevada Wolf Pack men’s teamCredit: Getty
At 19, Alford was picked alongside Jordan, Patrick Ewing, and Chris Mullin for the Los Angeles Summer Games.
Alford performed well – averaging 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.5 steals – as Team USA cruised to the gold medal.
During practice, NBA legend Jordan would challenge Alford and Mullin to games of H-O-R-S-E to improve his shooting skills.
And Alford won every game they took part in.
“In the Olympics, Chris Mullin was a great shooter on that team,” Alford told Nevada Sportsnet.
“I was on that team because of shooting.
“I can remember Michael coming up to Chris and I after every practice to play H-O-R-S-E or some kind of shooting game.
“I always loved it because I knew he wasn’t going to beat me in a shooting.”
Alford says Jordan ended up becoming a much more rounded player because of these shooting contests even though he lost.
“I always beat him in those games, but when you forward the tape, he was doing that for a reason because he knew going from college to the NBA,” he added.
“The one thing he really needed to work on and get consistent with was shooting, and man did he get consistent with shooting throughout his career.
“Ten years later, I was telling my dad, ‘He got me. I should have went up to him wanting to play one-on-one to help my defense and everything else.’”
It would not be the only contest Alford would win against Jordan during the Olympics.
The Chicago Bulls legend bet Alford $100 that he would not last four years playing for hard-nosed coach Bob Knight at Indiana, something he achieved.
“I still haven’t been paid that $100, and I don’t want his $100,” Alford said.
“I just want to be able to play on his new golf course in Florida.
“He’s off that hook. He doesn’t have to pay me interest or anything.”
After the Olympics, Alford helped Indiana to the college basketball title in 1987.
The Indiana native played just four years in the NBA, for the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, and Sacramento Kings.
He went on to have a hugely successful college coaching career, including stints at Iowa, New Mexico, UCLA, and Nevada.
