MJ was always willing to do whatever it took to win.

Michael Jordan’s dominance has been described in various ways. More often than not, fans and people close to the GOAT concluded that his insane competitive drive made MJ the most dominant player ever to grace NBA hardwood. While that assumption is somewhat true, Jordan once put it in the simplest and rawest way possible.

According to the Chicago Bulls legend, it is essential for any player who is chasing GOAT status like him to consistently dominate his opponents, and that has been his mental approach since day one.

“We train to be the best at what we do. And sometimes, to be the best, you gotta step on people,” Michael told All-Exclusive with Ahmad Rashad in 2004. “Not step on, literally, but I mean, in terms of winning and dominating.”

For the better of the team

Playing a team sport, Jordan also clarified why his approach to dominance never conflicted with the team’s core values.

According to “His Airness,” he never relied on the team to achieve his personal goals. If anything, it was the other way around. Jordan maintained a high level of work ethic with an aim to be the best player in the world. In the process, his team benefitted.

“We gotta rely upon our team but that doesn’t change our individual work ethic. We gotta go out and try to be the best no matter what,” the six-time NBA champion added.

MJ was destined for dominance

Anybody could have the same competitive drive and mental approach as Jordan, but of course, the results could be different. MJ knew he was fortunate to be born with innate basketball skills and, more importantly, the ability to beat anybody put in front of him on the court.

“I don’t know. I think I have good hand-eye coordination… In all sports I’ve always wanted to play the position where you can dictate the outcome of the game — pitcher, a base-stealer, quarterback. I can throw a football about 60 yards. But it’s my knowledge of basketball that is really high,” Jordan once assessed.

“I know every facet of the game, every trick of the trade, every little motivation, every little technique. But mostly, I know how to attack people,” he added.

Hearing Jordan open up about his legacy in such a manner certainly sheds light on why he is widely regarded as the greatest to ever play the game. In conclusion, it’s safe to say that MJ earned the GOAT status not because of his titles, stats, and individual accolades but because he willed himself to be that guy through consistent dominance.