A short studio moment from the 1993 NBA playoffs still sparks discussions among fans. It featured a defining statement from Magic Johnson, displaying that he holds Michael Jordan in extremely high regard.

An NBC studio segment during the 1993 NBA Playoffs had Johnson in attendance. While the Chicago Bulls were in the middle of their historic championship run, Magic dropped a defining statement about Jordan. 

He called the Bulls legend "the greatest athlete that's ever played any sport. We only dream about doing things he can do." 

Jordan was in his absolute prime during the 1992-93 season, and the Bulls were chasing a historic three-peat. Magic also had the ultimate credibility to say it, as he had recently retired in 1991, right after losing to MJ in the NBA Finals.

Up to that point in 1993, Jordan was averaging 32.6 points per game, shooting 49.5% from the field, and carrying the Bulls to a 57-25 record. He already had 2 titles, 3 league MVPs, a Defensive Player of the Year award, and was locking up his 7th straight scoring title. In the playoffs, he averaged over 30 points per game.

Jordan reportedly had a 48-inch vertical leap and insane hang time. He won back-to-back Slam Dunk Contests in 1987 and 1988 with his famous free-throw line takeoff.  

Even MJ’s greatest rivals had to stop and acknowledge his greatness. This respect led to a much bigger conversation about his overall legacy.

Why Michael Jordan’s Greatness Defines Basketball

Jordan retired with an NBA record 30.1 points per game and 32,292 total points. His playoff scoring average is an untouched 33.4 points per game. He finished his career with a 6-0 record in the Finals and six Finals MVPs. 

Adding to that, he has 5 regular-season MVPs, 10 scoring titles, and 9 All-Defensive First Team selections. He delivered two separate three-peats with Chicago. MJ won 2 gold medals in the Olympics with Team USA. He led the 1984 team in scoring as a college star. Later, he became the global face of the iconic 1992 Dream Team in Barcelona. 

The launch of the Air Jordan brand with Nike in 1985 changed the sneaker world forever. Jordan became the first athlete to merge sports with fashion and business.

Even the greatest soccer player, Lionel Messi, praised Jordan in June 2024, calling him the greatest athlete of all time after watching "The Last Dance" documentary.

Jordan didn't just dominate basketball but set the bar for every modern athlete.

So, do you agree with Johnson's take that the Bulls legend is the greatest athlete ever to play any sport?

Read more at Air Jordan Chronicles!

Written by

Utsav Sinha

Edited by

Souvik Roy