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7 Times Michael Jordan ‘Took That Personally’: The Deep Psychology Behind The Internet’s Favorite Meme

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Few phrases in internet culture are as universally understood as "MJ and I took that personally." This iconic line, which has transcended its origins to become a shorthand for exaggerated competitive drive or an over-the-top reaction to a minor slight, remains a viral sensation even as of December 20, 2025. The phrase, forever linked to basketball legend Michael Jordan, is more than just a funny caption; it’s a perfect distillation of the intense, almost pathological competitiveness that fueled the greatest career in sports history.

The meme’s enduring popularity stems from the 2020 ESPN/Netflix documentary, The Last Dance, which offered an unfiltered look into the Chicago Bulls' 1997-1998 season. It was in this series that Jordan, reflecting on his career, repeatedly framed seemingly trivial events as personal insults, which he then weaponized as motivation. The viral quote itself is actually a slight misremembering of Jordan’s various statements, but its spirit perfectly captures the essence of his relentless mindset.

Michael Jordan: The Biography of a Competitor

To understand the meme, one must first understand the man. Michael Jordan’s life is a masterclass in turning perceived slights into fuel for greatness.

  • Full Name: Michael Jeffrey Jordan
  • Born: February 17, 1963 (Age 62 as of 2025)
  • Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
  • Nickname: MJ, Air Jordan, His Airness, The GOAT
  • Height: 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
  • College: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1981–1984)
  • NBA Draft: 1984 / Round: 1 / Pick: 3rd overall by the Chicago Bulls
  • NBA Career: Chicago Bulls (1984–1993, 1995–1998), Washington Wizards (2001–2003)
  • Key Achievements: 6× NBA Champion, 6× NBA Finals MVP, 5× NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), 10× NBA scoring champion, 9× NBA All-Defensive First Team.
  • Current Role: Majority owner and chairman of the Charlotte Hornets (until 2023, now minority owner), NASCAR team co-owner.

The True Origin: The Last Dance and the Misquote

The "And I took that personally" meme exploded in popularity following the release of *The Last Dance* in 2020.

The image most commonly associated with the meme is a shot of Jordan sitting on a couch, gesticulating with his hands during a documentary interview.

Here is the crucial twist that adds a layer of depth to the meme’s history: Michael Jordan never actually utters the exact phrase, "And I took that personally," in the documentary.

Instead, he used variations and context that conveyed the same idea, such as "It became personal with me" or describing moments that he clearly "took personally."

The meme format, with its slightly more comical and direct phrasing, was a perfect encapsulation of his mindset, and the internet ran with it, creating a cultural phenomenon that has outlasted many other viral trends.

The meme’s power lies in its ability to be applied to any situation—from a minor workplace snub to a friend’s casual joke—turning a mundane event into an epic, high-stakes battle for redemption.

7 Slights Michael Jordan 'Took Personally' for Motivation

Jordan’s career is littered with examples of him inventing or exaggerating slights to fuel his competitive fire. This isn't just a meme; it’s a documented psychological trait. As he famously said, he didn't have a gambling problem; he had a "competition problem."

Here are seven documented instances, many highlighted in *The Last Dance*, where MJ turned a moment of disrespect into an unparalleled performance:

  1. The Georgetown Snub (1982): As a young player, Jordan was reportedly overlooked by Georgetown coach John Thompson. Though he went to UNC and hit the game-winning shot in the 1982 NCAA Championship, the perceived slight from a top program is often cited as an early motivator for his relentless drive.
  2. The Isiah Thomas Freeze-Out (1985 All-Star Game): During his first All-Star Game, Jordan believed Detroit Pistons star Isiah Thomas and other veterans conspired to "freeze him out" by not passing him the ball. Jordan’s response? He took the next game against the Pistons "personally," dropping 49 points and setting the stage for one of the greatest rivalries in NBA history.
  3. Jerry Krause’s "Organizations Win Championships" Quote (1997): The Bulls General Manager, Jerry Krause, once said, "Players don't win championships, organizations do." Jordan viewed this as a direct insult to his and his teammates' efforts. The entire 1997-1998 season, the focus of *The Last Dance*, was essentially Jordan and the team taking Krause’s comment personally and proving him wrong.
  4. LaBradford Smith's Taunt (1993): After a game where the Washington Bullets' LaBradford Smith had a good performance against Jordan, Smith allegedly told MJ, "Nice game, Mike." Jordan later claimed Smith said, "Nice game, Mike. I'm going to get 40 on you next time." Jordan, whether the quote was real or fabricated, used it as motivation, scoring 47 points against Smith in the next game, confirming his ability to "make up stuff to be mad about."
  5. Clyde Drexler Comparisons (1992 NBA Finals): Before the 1992 Finals, media outlets constantly compared Jordan to Portland Trail Blazers star Clyde Drexler. Jordan felt this was a slight to his dominance. He responded by scoring 35 points in the first half of Game 1, culminating in the iconic "shrug" moment, a clear message that the comparison was insulting.
  6. The "Gambling Problem" Accusation: Throughout his career, Jordan was constantly hounded by accusations of a gambling problem. In the documentary, he reframes this narrative, stating that his issue wasn't with gambling itself, but with his inherent need to compete and win at *everything*, highlighting his "competition problem" over a "gambling problem."
  7. Any Minor Trash Talk: Countless stories exist of Jordan using the smallest pieces of trash talk—from opponents, fans, or even his own teammates—as a personal affront. This included a rookie telling him "good shot" after a miss or a bench player simply talking too much. For MJ, any verbal exchange was a declaration of war, and he always took it personally.

The Psychology of the MJ Mindset in 2025

The enduring relevance of the "And I took that personally" meme in the mid-2020s is a testament to the power of the competitive mindset.

Psychologists and coaches often point to Jordan as a prime example of the "growth mindset," a concept popularized by Carol Dweck.

This mindset views challenges and criticism not as fixed limitations, but as fuel for improvement. Jordan’s ability to externalize a slight and internalize it as motivation allowed him to push past perceived limits, a trait that resonates deeply with modern self-help and motivational culture.

The meme, therefore, serves a dual purpose:

  • As Comedy: It humorously exaggerates an overreaction to a small issue.
  • As Inspiration: It reminds us of the ruthless focus required for elite performance, encouraging users to adopt a fraction of that "MJ mindset" in their own lives, whether for a big presentation, a workout goal, or a challenging project.

From the basketball court to the digital world, Michael Jordan's competitive spirit has found a permanent home. The meme is a cultural artifact that proves the most powerful stories—the ones about overcoming adversity, even if you have to invent the adversity yourself—will always go viral.

mj and i took that personally
mj and i took that personally

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