Michael Jordan was the hardest player to guard. His game reached infinite levels of brilliance when he was in his prime. And even in his last season with the Bulls, at age 35. Tracy McGrady, a rookie in 1998, was in awe of Jordan and of how often he could smell his cologne when guarding him. Talk about an annoyance.
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But how good was MJ exactly? Unfortunately, we don’t have any first-hand recollection of the brilliance that was Jordan. Or the mastery he displayed on the ball. The only way to truly understand his brilliance is to read, watch, and listen. To every word, every sentence. Watch every single move he made on and off the ball.
And thanks to technology, we have bundles of those. It is no secret that Jordan still holds a number of records in the NBA. In the regular season and in the playoffs. He is the only player to have gone 6-0 in the NBA Finals.
Even in his Last Dance, he was mesmerizing. Nothing short of supernatural. Tracy McGrady, a rookie who played for the Toronto Raptors, witnessed Jordan ascend. MJ even destroyed him and to Tracy’s annoyance, the one thing he truly remembered about Michael – was his cologne.
Tracy McGrady was stunned when guarding Michael Jordan and swears he can only remember his cologne
What an impact that must have on you, to take you out of your element so much that the only thing you can remember about a player is their cologne.
Remember this is the NBA we are talking about the highest level of basketball, where every single player has mastered their craft. McGrady was no slouch when he entered the league. And for him to be dumbfounded by Michael Jordan’s brilliance, at age 35 no less, is startling.
T-Mac was so out of his element that he was unable to do anything about Jordan. No amount of defense worked. All he could do was let the smell of Jordan’s cologne waft to his nose.
An excerpt from a Sports Illustrated article in 1998, quoted T-Mac from the David Letterman Show, McGrady said,
“Guarding Michael Jordan always leaves you smelling like his damn cologne.”
Disgusted, annoyed, flattered, all of these could be used to describe the ordeal McGrady was going through. Jordan at the ripe old age of 35 was doing this to him.
Michael Jordan’s 1998 season was perhaps the most epic individual season in NBA history
The 1998 season will forever be etched in basketball history as the pinnacle of Michael Jordan’s legendary career. Jordan’s epic performance throughout the year solidified his status as one of the greatest athletes of all time. Leading the Chicago Bulls, Jordan displayed unparalleled skill, determination, and leadership. He captivated fans around the world.
His scoring prowess was awe-inspiring, as he averaged 28.7 points per game, securing his tenth scoring title at age 35! Jordan’s ability to take over games with his clutch shooting and unmatched athleticism was on full display, making him virtually unstoppable on the court.
It was in the playoffs that Jordan truly cemented his status as a great. In a fiercely competitive NBA Finals series against the Utah Jazz, he delivered a jaw-dropping performance in Game 6, famously known as “The Flu Game”.
Battling a severe illness, Jordan mustered all his inner strength and led the Bulls to victory with 38 points, including a game-winning shot. This iconic moment epitomized Jordan’s indomitable spirit and unyielding desire to win.
1998 was the last time he played for the Bulls. It was done. He had achieved it all. Michael Jordan, in that final season, became the epitome of greatness. There has never been another one like him. We highly doubt there will be.
