Patrick Ewing said Michael Jordan targeted Larry Bird and Clyde Drexler during Dream Team practices: “All of us had to step back”

 

May 9, 2025 — Over three decades have passed since the legendary 1992 United States men’s Olympic basketball team — better known as the “Dream Team” — captivated the world and forever changed international basketball. But the stories from those iconic days in Barcelona continue to surface, offering a deeper glimpse into the fierce competitiveness that made the team legendary.

 

The latest revelation comes from NBA Hall of Famer and Dream Team center Patrick Ewing, who recently shared candid reflections on the intense intra-squad battles that shaped the team’s legacy. In a conversation that has sent shockwaves through basketball circles, Ewing claimed that Michael Jordan went out of his way to “target” fellow legends Larry Bird and Clyde Drexler during practices — a display of dominance that stunned even the most seasoned superstars.

 

“All of Us Had to Step Back”

 

Speaking during a recent appearance on a basketball documentary panel, Ewing recounted the dynamic practices that many have long described as more competitive than actual Olympic games.

 

“People talk about the games, but the real show was at practice,” Ewing said. “Those were the most competitive environments I’ve ever been in. And Michael — he wasn’t just playing. He was hunting. Especially when it came to guys like Larry [Bird] and Clyde [Drexler]. He targeted them.”

 

According to Ewing, Jordan’s approach wasn’t just trash talk or alpha-male showmanship. It was calculated. It was personal. It was surgical.

 

“It was like he wanted to make a statement every day. He went right at them. And for those of us watching… all of us had to step back and just watch it unfold,” Ewing said. “It wasn’t disrespect. It was just Michael being Michael — he was the ultimate competitor.”

 

Bird and Drexler: Legends in Their Own Right

 

To fully appreciate the magnitude of Jordan’s approach, it’s important to remember who his “targets” were.

 

Larry Bird, already a three-time NBA champion and league MVP by the time of the 1992 Olympics, was revered for his basketball IQ, leadership, and shooting touch. Though he was in the twilight of his career — plagued by back injuries — Bird’s legacy and competitive fire were unquestioned.

 

Clyde Drexler, on the other hand, was in his prime. Fresh off leading the Portland Trail Blazers to the NBA Finals in 1992, Drexler was widely seen as one of the few guards in the league who could even be mentioned in the same breath as Jordan. Athletic, graceful, and highly effective, Drexler’s inclusion on the Dream Team added another layer of intrigue — especially given the media-driven comparisons between him and Jordan.

 

“Michael didn’t like the comparisons,” Ewing added. “He never said it out loud, but you could see it. Every time Drexler touched the ball, MJ locked in like it was Game 7.”

 

Inside the Infamous Scrimmages

 

Much has been made over the years about the legendary scrimmages that took place between the Dream Team’s two units. NBA stars like Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, and Karl Malone have all described them as some of the fiercest battles they’ve ever experienced.

 

One practice in Monte Carlo in particular — now immortalized in the NBA’s 2012 “Dream Team” documentary — has gone down in lore as the greatest basketball game ever played. And according to Ewing, Jordan’s “targeting” was on full display there too.

 

“He’d go right at Larry — challenge him to move, to shoot over him, to guard him,” Ewing said. “And Larry, being who he was, didn’t back down either. He’d fire right back. It was beautiful to watch.”

 

But Jordan’s focus on Drexler was particularly intense.

 

“Clyde was smooth, graceful, and an elite player — don’t get me wrong. But when Jordan matched up against him, it was like something clicked. It was personal,” Ewing said. “Michael wanted to leave no doubt. Not just on our team — in the world.”

 

Respect Through Competition

 

Despite the high-stakes atmosphere and Jordan’s relentless nature, Ewing was quick to note that there was an undercurrent of mutual respect among all players.

 

“We were brothers, united under one flag,” he said. “No matter how competitive things got, it was always about making each other better. And MJ made everyone better.”

 

In fact, Ewing believes the intensity of those practices was one of the main reasons the Dream Team went on to dominate the 1992 Olympics, winning every game by an average of 44 points.

 

“We knew we were going to win gold,” Ewing said. “But we also knew we had to earn respect from each other first. And that’s what those practices did. They forged something special.”

 

The Jordan Mentality

 

Ewing’s comments offer yet another glimpse into the famous “Jordan mentality” — the legendary killer instinct that separated him from even the most elite athletes. Whether it was the NBA Finals, a preseason exhibition, or a simple scrimmage in practice, Jordan played with unmatched intensity.

 

“Michael didn’t believe in letting up,” Ewing said. “He believed in setting the tone — every day, every minute. And if you were on the court with him, you either kept up or got out of the way.”

 

That mindset not only led Jordan to six NBA championships and five MVP awards but helped establish the Dream Team as arguably the greatest collection of talent in sports history.

 

A Lasting Legacy

 

As the years go by, the legends of the Dream Team only grow — fueled by stories like these. For Ewing and others, those practices were more than workouts; they were masterclasses in basketball, ego, and excellence.

 

“It wasn’t just about gold medals,” Ewing said. “It was about pride. Legacy. Showing the world what basketball at the highest level looked like.”

 

And thanks to leaders like Jordan — and competitors like Bird, Drexler, and Ewing himself — the Dream Team didn’t just show it. They defined it.