The NBA was a league dominated by several of the great players back in the day. That was until 1984 when a young rookie from North Carolina came in to change the game forever. Michael Jordan quickly became larger than the game itself. However, even the best have a moment that defines their legacy. Likewise, for Jordan, it came in 1991 when he got through the best player at the time, Magic Johnson. And in a rare interview with Playboy, he revealed his biggest regret from his first ring.
Before Jordan, the league was witnessing one of the most iconic rivalries of all time. The Lakers and Boston Celtics were at the peak of their powers. Heading the two forces were Magic and Larry Bird. A rivalry fueled with everything one could ask for, the pair were on top of the NBA for a good part of a decade. But there comes a time the best player has to give up his title. And Johnson had to come to terms with it when Jordan gave him a beating in the 1991 finals.
In his first NBA finals, Mike began his legendary run in the finals by going through the best. Winning was the most important for the 6-time champ. However, he still holds a regret for the time he beat the Magic-led LA Lakers.
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Michael Jordan wanted to do it in Chicago
Magic Johnson was widely accepted to be the best player on the planet. However, Michael was making a run at him. The staggering pace became a reality when the duo faced off in the 1991 NBA finals. The best were going right against each other. However, there could only be one winner. And it was His Airness who had a pivotal series. But for MJ, his assurance was Paxson making all his shots.
And while winning came on top, the Finals MVP wanted the party to begin in Chicago.
Jordan revealed his regrets in an interview with Playboy: “When John Paxson started knocking down shots. He was measuring them, boom, he was just knocking them down. I missed some of the excitement by not doing it in Chicago. If we had done it in Chicago, we probably wouldn’t have lived, because the fans would have killed us. But it was nearly as bad in L.A.”
It was a landscape-altering series for the NBA. A shift in power was in order when Jordan got the better of Magic Johnson. Averaging 31.2 points, 11 assists, and 2.8 steals, it took the Bulls 5 games to put LA out. Fans got the message loud and clear that MJ had taken the main stage. However, it took the Lakers legend another year to accept Jordan as ‘The Guy’.
Despite the loss in 1991, the Dream Team was where His Airness truly became the king of the basketball world. Johnson was adamant to keep his spot. Likewise, even a simple scrimmage was a battle for the crown. Magic wasn’t ready to let go. However, with his career coming to an end and Mike only rising, it was about time he accepted the fact. Since then, the pair became close friends off the court. Their humor was on full display when they got their NBA 75 jackets. Decades after the competition was over, Michael Jordan wanted a one vs one against one of the greatest point guards in the history of the sport.
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A rivalry that began on the court turned into a brotherhood. And the 1991 finals became the moment Magic passed the torch over to Mike. From there, the era of Jordan began.
The post “Fans Would Have Killed Us”: Michael Jordan Expressed His Only Regret After His First NBA Ring in a Rare 1992 Interview appeared first on EssentiallySports.
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