Michael Jordan Trash Talked His Own Childhood Hero Just to Get on His Nerves, Claims Dr J: ‘I Can Do It Again, You Know?’

All-time great Michael Jordan is one of the most influential figures in the game of basketball. While a lot of players idolized Jordan when they were growing up, the Bulls legend idolized another all-time great Julius Erving. Like Jordan, Dr. J was one of the most influential players in the 70s and 80s. And a lot of players looked up to him.

When Jordan joined the league, he was even tipped to be the next Dr.J. But it is safe to say that he eclipsed Dr. J in every way possible. While the two didn’t play against each other during their prime, they still faced each other 8 times. 

In Jordan’s rookie year, they met 4 times, and Dr. J and the Philadelphia 76ers won all 4 games. However, the 76ers couldn’t keep the rookie quiet. He scored 31 points in their 3rd meeting and 40 points in their 4th matchup. 

In their 4th meeting, Jordan posterized Erving and his respect for the legend didn’t stop him from talking trash. Dr. J revealed, “I remember he came down, and he dunked on like the whole team. And then I went down and dunked on his team. And whatever, I was looking at him and he was looking at me and he was like ‘I can do it again you know!’”

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Goes to show how fearless a young Michael Jordan was even when going up against his idol and one of the legends of the game.

The next Dr. J to the only Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan was born on February 17, 1963, in Brooklyn, New York City. As a senior in school, he made the 1981 McDonald’s All-American Game and scored 30 points. Then he accepted a basketball scholarship from North Carolina and joined them in 1981. During his time with the Tar Heels, Jordan won the 1982 NCAA Championship against Georgetown with his game-winner.

In 1984, the Chicago Bulls selected Jordan as the 3rd overall pick in the NBA draft. Before joining the Bulls, MJ played for the National Team in the 1984 Olympics and won the Gold medal. With this, his confidence grew, and he took the league by storm. 

In his rookie year, Jordan averaged 28.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 2.4 steals. He won the Rookie of the Year award and was also selected for the All-Star game. With the Bulls, Jordan has won 6 NBA titles in two spectacular three-peats. He was the Finals MVP on all 6 occasions. MJ has won the NBA MVP award 5 times. 

At 38 years old, Jordan did the unthinkable as he made a second comeback in 2001 to play for the Washington Wizards. He played two seasons for the Wizards and averaged over 20 points per game. 

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But even this dip in his scoring couldn’t tarnish his career average. In 1072 games, Michael Jordan averaged 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 2.3 steals per game.

Source: | This article originally belongs to Essentially Sports