By the 90s, Michael Jordan had risen to the top of the basketball world. With his skill and unique charm, the Bulls superstar had developed into a certified global phenomenon. His fame wasn’t restricted to just Chicago or the States. It far exceeded the limits of national boundaries.
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But even as he was becoming a legend, the names of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were still fresh. Though certainly on a decline, they were still the duo that carried the NBA to immense popularity.
During the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, this passing of the baton inadvertently caused friction between Jordan and Magic Johnson. Where Michael knew he was the best in the world, Magic was still not ready to acknowledge the youngster.
Magic Johnson refuted Michael Jordan claiming he was the best in the world
In their book, When the Game Was Ours, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird wrote in depth about the 1992 Olympics. The tournament was special for various reasons. For one, Magic and Larry were teaming up. Secondly, Magic had been diagnosed already and his participation was a step forward in the fight for HIV/AIDS awareness.
There was another factor that made it special though. Magic and Larry were also teaming up with Jordan, the youngster who had taken over the world of basketball. Michael was already aware of his skill and dominance. He knew there was no one in the world who could justify being better than him. So naturally, the arrogance he exuded was almost palpable.
One day in Barcelona, Magic and Jordan started an intense discussion on who was better at 1-on-1 and Jordan listed the reasons why both Larry Bird and Magic Johnson were inferior to him.
When The Game Was Ours: “The conversation lurched on with no resolution until the topic switched to the inevitable follow-up: who was the best 1-on-1 player of all time? “Gentlemen,” said Jordan, “give it up. You’ve got no chance on this one. Larry, you don’t have the speed to stay with me. Magic, I can guard you, but you could never guard me. Neither one of you guys can play defense the way I can. And neither one of you can score like me.” “I don’t know about that,” Magic retorted. “I could have scored more if I wanted to. It would have been a good one.” Jordan’s face darkened. He had been uncommonly conciliatory in Barcelona, stepping aside as Bird and Magic shared the title of captain and revered elder statesman. Jordan deferred to Magic, allowed him to become the face of the Dream Team, even though Jordan was the reigning back-to-back league MVP. He did so because he understood that Magic’s career was at an end and this was his final basketball indulgence. “I didn’t want to burst his bubble,” Jordan said.”
Michael gracefully let Magic and Larry be the leaders
Leading up to the ’92 Barcelona Olympics, Michael Jordan had established himself as the unquestionable leader of the basketball world. He was the best of the best. People were already calling him the greatest of all time. So, if he had wanted, the Dream Team should have belonged to Jordan.
Fortunately, Jordan was much kinder than was assumed. He kept aside his arrogance and pride aside and let Magic and Larry be the leaders of that team without any question. For two legends whose career was ending, Jordan’s symbolic gesture was received positively. It helped the Dream Team strengthen their bond and allowed a proper send-off to two of the best the sport had ever seen.
