Is it OK to be a jerk if you want to be great?

As a leader Jordan proved more tormentor than mentor. Many Washington players got the business end of a Jordan harangue, but he designated second-year forward Kwame Brown as the whipping boy…A source told SI that Jordan ritually reduced Brown to tears in front of the team.

1. Michael Jordan was a great basketball player.
2. Michael Jordan was a complete jerk.

Those are just facts.

If you don't believe the second one, I dare you to watch The Last Dance documentary on Netflix or read this article and somehow still argue that he wasn't selfish, a bully, a jerk and just plain mean to his opponents and his teammates.

The trouble is that a ton of people unquestioningly believe two more things:

1. Michael Jordan was great because he was a jerk.
2. This means they are free to be jerks too in pursuit of their own goals.

That is such obvious nonsense that I made a short video about it:

And now there's another great way to debunk that myth!

The Golden State Warriors have just won their 4th NBA championship in 8 years led by their star player Steph Curry who by all accounts is a terribly nice person. Here's just one example:

Jordan Poole knocked down a buzzer-beater from almost midcourt ... Curry expressed as much joy for Poole hitting the jaw-dropping shot from deep as he would had it been him, the superstar who already has more than his share of 3-pointers from way, way back. That’s Selfless Steph — never one to let his ego get in the way of Golden State’s success.

Curry's teammates talk about his selflessness, his willingness to share the spotlight, how he constantly give positive feedback when earned and how he appreciates everyone on the team. He wants to win - absolutely - but he wants the team to win, he doesn't just want to win for his own ego.

Contrast that with my favorite Michael Jordan story:

The biggest and most egregious example of Michael Jordan being Michael Jordan didn’t even happen on a basketball court. Instead, it transpired at the home of North Carolina teammate Buzz Peterson.

The story goes like this: Peterson invites Michael Jordan over to play a casual game of cards with Peterson’s mother. No money is wagered—just a simple, friendly game.

But when the old woman gets up to use the bathroom, Peterson catches Jordan trying to cheat.

Trying to cheat not to win any money, but just because he wants to win at all costs.

Sheesh!

And while watching Jordan play was absolutely entertaining, ask yourself this: Which of the two would you rather have as a boss - the one who builds people up or the one who reduces them to tears on a regular basis?