Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals between the Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz would become the setting for one of Michael Jordan’s most legendary performances. With the series tied 2-2, Jordan woke up in his Salt Lake City hotel room at 2:00 AM violently ill. Team doctors diagnosed him with food poisoning or a stomach virus so severe they advised him not to play.

By game time, Jordan could barely stand. He was dehydrated, weak, and visibly exhausted. Bulls trainer Chip Schaefer later recalled, “Michael was in terrible shape. He was pale, his eyes were sunken. I didn’t think there was any way he could play.” Jordan’s personal trainer Tim Grover had to practically carry him to the team bus.

As tip-off approached, the Bulls prepared to play without their superstar. But minutes before the game, Jordan emerged from the locker room. Coach Phil Jackson planned to limit his minutes, but as the game progressed, it became clear Jordan was refusing to come out despite his condition.

Hunched over during timeouts and staggering during breaks in play, Jordan somehow summoned an otherworldly performance. He scored 38 points, including a crucial three-pointer with less than a minute remaining that gave the Bulls a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. As the final buzzer sounded with Chicago winning 90-88, teammate Scottie Pippen had to help Jordan off the court, creating the iconic image of Jordan draped over Pippen’s shoulder, completely spent.

The “Flu Game” transcended sports, becoming a symbol of pushing beyond physical limitations. Years later, Jordan explained his mindset: “Once I decided to play, my focus wasn’t on how sick I was. I just had to figure out how to get through it.” This performance exemplified Jordan’s unmatched competitive spirit and mental toughness, showing that true greatness often comes not from performing when you’re at your best, but from finding a way to excel when circumstances are at their worst.

A twist in the tale

In the spring of 1994, the sporting world was stunned when Michael Jordan, at the height of his basketball fame, announced he would pursue a career in baseball. Having just led the Chicago Bulls to three consecutive NBA championships, Jordan walked away from basketball following his father’s tragic murder, seeking to fulfill his dad’s dream of seeing his son play baseball.

Jordan signed with the Chicago White Sox organization and was assigned to their Double-A affiliate, the Birmingham Barons. The transition was brutal. A global basketball icon accustomed to supernatural success was suddenly struggling to hit curve balls in dusty minor league stadiums. Sports media was merciless, calling the experiment everything from “embarrassing” to “delusional.”

What many failed to appreciate was the remarkable courage it took for Jordan to risk public failure. At 31, he was attempting to master a sport he hadn’t played since high school, while the world watched and often mocked. His work ethic became legendary among teammates and coaches. He was routinely the first player at the field and the last to leave. Despite batting just .202 for the season, his improvement trajectory was impressive given his late start.

Though Jordan would return to basketball in 1995 and lead the Bulls to three more championships, his baseball experiment stands as perhaps his most courageous achievement. It wasn’t about the statistics or making the majors—it was about having the courage to pursue a dream, honor his father’s memory, and risk public failure while the world watched. In doing so, Jordan demonstrated that true greatness isn’t measured by trophies alone, but by the willingness to step outside comfort zones and pursue new challenges regardless of the outcome.

I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.

• – Michael Jordan

Deliberate Practice and Relentless Work Ethic: Jordan’s productivity tactic was his unparalleled commitment to deliberate practice. He would often be the first to arrive at practice and the last to leave, continuously working on specific skills. His famous quote, “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed,” reflects his disciplined approach to continuous improvement.