George Gervin, known as ‘The Iceman,’ had a successful 14-year basketball career in both the ABA and the NBA, primarily playing for the San Antonio Spurs. In his final season, he joined the Chicago Bulls and played alongside the emerging star, Michael Jordan.

In the book ‘Michael Jordan: The Life’ by Roland Lazenby, an intriguing story is shared about a 1-on-1 match between these two legendary players. Jordan, who entered the NBA in 1984, immediately made an impact, winning the Rookie of the Year award. With his athleticism and determination, Jordan challenged Gervin to a game.

Gervin realized he couldn’t match Jordan’s energy, admitting, “We played… I was a veteran on my way out, so he was messing with the old Ice Man. He wasn’t messing with the Ice Man of old.”

Gervin emphasized that he was past his prime in 1985 and suggested that if they had played in his prime, he would have been more than a match for Jordan. He paid tribute to Jordan’s athletic abilities, acknowledging their different styles of play. Gervin described himself as a smooth glider akin to Fred Astaire, while Jordan was more like a jumping jack.

Gervin’s finger roll shots and lethal jumper allowed him to average 26.2 points per game throughout his career. He drew comparisons between himself and Jordan, highlighting that Jordan lacked a jump shot when he entered the league, whereas Gervin had that skill from the beginning. Gervin retired in 1986 with four scoring titles and nine NBA All-Star appearances.

George Gervin acquired the nickname ‘The Iceman’ due to his remarkable scoring ability, calm demeanor, and reluctance to engage in conversations. His ABA teammate, Roland Taylor, initially called him ‘Ice,’ and the name stuck. Gervin credited Julius Erving for further solidifying the persona by engaging in intense 1-on-1 battles during practice. ‘Ice’ evolved into ‘The Iceman,’ making it one of the coolest nicknames in NBA history, pun intended.

Shaquille O’Neal recently sparked a debate about Stephen Curry’s place in NBA history after Curry’s game-winning three-pointer against the Boston Celtics.

O’Neal questioned whether Curry should be considered among the greatest basketball players of all time during a post-game discussion on NBA on TNT. He even suggested that Curry might be the best player of all time, but later clarified that he was simply wondering if Curry’s accomplishments warranted consideration in the conversation.

O’Neal’s comments led to a video supporting Curry’s case as the best player ever being shared on an Instagram fan page dedicated to O’Neal. Despite Curry’s significant impact on the game and his exceptional three-point shooting, O’Neal believes that Curry’s overall resume falls short of cracking the top five in the conversation of the NBA’s best player ever.

Interestingly, O’Neal has also been involved in debates about LeBron James’ place in NBA history. While O’Neal has often chosen Michael Jordan as the greatest player, there was a period when he advocated for Curry.

However, O’Neal has consistently maintained that Jordan is the greatest player in NBA history, followed by Julius Erving.

has recently been garnering much flak because of his aggressive defensive strategies against opponent players. Just days after choke-holding Minnesota Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert, Green again made headlines recently for taking a wild swing at Phoenix Suns center during a Suns-Warriors game. Green was immediately ejected from the game, which eventually ended in a 119-116 loss for the Golden State Warriors.

It’s interesting to note that Green’s recent aggressions against opponents on the floor have mostly been against foreign players coincidentally. Both Gobert and Nurkic are Europeans, which has prompted some people to find patterns in Green’s actions.

Kobe Bryant’s former teammate, Nick Young, also reacted to this incident from the last game and observed this pattern in the Warriors forward. During an appearance on , Young referred to Green as a ‘cheap shot guy’ and called him out for his aggressive tactics.

“He’s [Green] more of a cheap shot guy, but he tends to do that to a lot of Europeans. He messing with nothing but foreigners. I understand people don’t like Gobert, the most unlikable guy, but you don’t run in there and grab somebody by they neck,” Young told Bayless.

The 33-year-old, however, seemed apologetic for his actions and claimed that it wasn’t his intention to hit the Suns center. In his statement to the media, Green said,

“He was pulling my hip, and I was swinging away to sell the call. I made contact with him. As you know, I’m not one to apologize for things I meant to do, but I do apologize to Jusuf because I didn’t intend to hit him.”

 

Previously, Green served a 5-game ban for his incident with Rudy Gobert in the game with the Grizzlies. However, whether he can escape further punishment from the NBA for this incident seems unclear at this time.

Draymond Green has a history of altercations with foreign players in the league

This isn’t just the only instance of Green’s altercation with foreign players. During the 2016 Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Green had earned much criticism for kicking New Zealand player Steven Adams in the groin in Game 3 of the series.

This latest altercation with Jusuf Nurkic would be Green’s second incident this season and the third in the past 30 games since last year’s playoff incident. It seems likely that the NBA might come up with some strict repercussions against the Warriors star as this contention progresses further.

has been associated with Nike since 1984. Being a huge part of the Nike family, Jordan wasn’t going to allow Tim Thomas to enter his house wearing any Adidas gear. Instead of sending Thomas away, the Chicago Bulls star forced the youngster to put on Nike gear and then allow him to enter his abode, as revealed on X (Formerly Twitter).

Thomas said.

Revealing to Brandon Robinson, Michael Jordan was so loyal to Nike that Thomas had to keep all of his clothes in an Adidas bag outside the house.

Thomas revealed.

Michael Jordan has always been an extremely competitive athlete. Considering how MJ would go above and beyond to be the best, it does seem fitting that he wouldn’t allow anybody wearing his rival brand’s merchandise to enter his house.

Michael Jordan used to love Adidas

Before joining the Nike family, Michael Jordan was an athlete representing Adidas. During his time with the University of North Carolina, MJ was seen wearing Adidas. Even before playing for the North Carolina Tar Heels, His Airness would dawn Adidas merchandise as a kid.

Adidas was almost certain that Jordan would sign with them during the 1984 draft process. However, Nike’s pitch was too good to turn down. Apart from offering him $500,000 per year for five seasons, the sports apparel company even provided MJ with his own signature sneaker line as a rookie.

MJ .

Expected to generate $3 million over four years, the Air Jordan line exceeded all imaginations. During its first year in the market, Air Jordan made north of $130 million.

With Nike being the major reason behind MJ’s wealth, it is understandable why no one is allowed to wear the three stripes at the Jordan household.

The article discusses the remastered version of the original Air Jordan documentary, which focuses on the legendary basketball player Michael Jordan. The documentary provides an in-depth look into Jordan’s life, career, and the creation of the iconic Air Jordan sneaker brand.

The original Air Jordan documentary was released back in 1990 and captivated audiences with its behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with Jordan himself. It chronicled his journey from his childhood in North Carolina to becoming one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

The remastered version of the documentary aims to bring an enhanced viewing experience to fans of Jordan and basketball. The footage has been digitally restored and the audio has been remastered, resulting in improved picture and sound quality.

The remastered version of Air Jordan allows viewers to revisit the early days of Jordan’s career and witness his rise to stardom. It provides an intimate look at his outstanding performances on the court and his relentless drive to win. The documentary highlights Jordan’s intense work ethic and his determination to excel in every aspect of the game.

Despite being 39 years old, Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James continues to amaze and defy the expectations of age. He recently earned his 20th NBA All-Star selection and is likely to earn his 19th All-NBA selection, both records by a significant margin. However, despite his incredible achievements, including being the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, James is often compared to Michael Jordan, which downplays his legacy. Retired NBA superstar Grant Hill, who witnessed both Jordan and James in their prime, explained on a podcast why James has had a more challenging career. He believes that James has faced more pressure and criticism, which Jordan didn’t experience during his time. Hill mentioned that Jordan was universally revered, while James has had to deal with unprecedented slander and vitriol, despite having no off-the-court controversies. Hill argues that old fans who love Jordan downplay James’ cultural impact, and analysts like Skip Bayless constantly undermine James instead of celebrating his greatness. James’ ability to lead weak rosters into the Finals and his losses to superior teams are seen as negatives, while Jordan’s failures are overlooked. Despite Jordan’s controversies such as his refusal to endorse a Democrat candidate and his gambling habit, he is now seen as a mythical figure. However, during his career, he faced criticisms and challenges that took a toll on him, ultimately leading to his retirement in 1993. The constant attacks from the media and the tragic death of his father contributed to his decision to step away from the game. While Jordan didn’t experience the social media era, he still had his fair share of difficulties in dealing with fame.

Unlike his former  co-star Dennis Rodman,  likes to keep his parties a bit more private. However, that doesn’t mean “His Airness” doesn’t know how to have fun.

In fact, MJ reportedly once had one heck of  nightclub in the late 90s. The party was apparently so wild that the Bulls superstar allegedly asked the owner to hand him over the tape recordings taken from that night since he was in the process of getting divorced and feared that someone might use it to accuse him of infidelity.

Apparently, Jordan just picked up where he left off in his nightclubbing when he made his epic NBA return in the early 2000s. This time, there was a witness, and it was none other than his former

teammates Larry Hughes, who still remembers how it was like to have a VIP like Jordan at a nightclub party.

 

MJ would always pop up in nightclubs

According to Hughes, the Wizards were in Chicago for a road game, and the squad’s youngsters decided to go for a night out. Hughes said that Jordan would always show up in the club, but they never knew how, as the six-time NBA champ would just pop out of nowhere.

Given his contribution to the history of the city of Chicago, Jordan drew a crowd as he walked in.

“On one road trip, we were going to Chicago and we were playing the Bulls,” Hughes told HoopsHype in 2020. “Obviously, MJ is the greatest thing since sliced bread in that city. We were going to a nightclub to hang out. And M [Jordan] would always hang out with the team, but he would just be there. He would just appear. He wouldn’t necessarily go through the front door and we didn’t know if he came through the back door or if they had a secret entrance for him, but he would always just be there. So we were walking in and we saw him coming in. And as we saw him coming in, all the heads turned. Also, camera phones were starting to become a big thing, so you’d see all the phones come up and now everybody is taking pictures and videos of him walking through.”

A movie-like scenery

While people turning their heads on Jordan was pretty much a norm for Hughes, one thing that really stood out for him that night was how Charles Oakley made a guy literally praise MJ inside the club.

Based on Hughes’ recollection, Jordan was trying to get to his seat, but this one guy wouldn’t move a muscle. Oakley, who came in with MJ that night, “had some words” with the guy. Hughes then described that what happened next was something he thought he’d only see in movies.

“Charles Oakley was with him [Jordan] and there was one guy that would not respect the fact that M was trying to get to his seat,” the 12-year NBA veteran recounted. “He would not move. Charles Oakley was a teammate, was a coach, but he was more so MJ’s enforcer. So, he had some words with the fan and the guy literally got down on his knees and waved his hands up and down like, ‘MJ, you are the king! You are the greatest!’ Then, he just got up and he moved out of the way, and MJ sat down. I was just like, ‘Okay, I’ve never seen that happen in real life…’ I’ve only seen that happen in the movies, so that was one time that stood out to me.”

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Shaquille O’Neal was undoubtedly one of the toughest players to face in his prime, as many players can attest. Scot Pollard, a former NBA player, recently shared his experience guarding O’Neal and even joked about how it left him with a permanent backache. Pollard, who stands at 6’11” and weighs 265 lbs, described O’Neal as a massive force at 360 pounds or possibly even heavier.

O’Neal himself has made varying claims about his weight during his career. While the record books claim he weighed around 360 pounds, O’Neal once stated that he weighed as much as 395 pounds during the Lakers’ third title run. In a later claim, he even stated that he weighed 415 pounds during the Lakers’ championship run in 2002. These numbers, if accurate, would make O’Neal the heaviest player in NBA history.

Despite his size, O’Neal remained incredibly dominant on the court. In the 2001-02 season, he started 66 games and averaged impressive statistics, leading the Lakers to their third consecutive NBA title. He was also the first player since Michael Jordan to win three consecutive NBA Finals MVP awards.

While O’Neal posed a challenge for most centers, there were a few players who managed to give him a hard time. In an interview, O’Neal mentioned Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, and surprisingly, Rik Smits as tough opponents.

Unfortunately, Smits’ career was hindered by foot injuries, limiting him to only 506 games over 11 seasons in the NBA. Nonetheless, his talent and ability to challenge O’Neal showcased his potential to be among the greats of the game.

Lаkers’ Phіl Jаckson reveаls ѕtory on Mіchael Jordаn’s funny reѕponѕe to Kobe Bryаnt сhallenge

The Chіcago Bulls and Los Angeleѕ Lakers dynasties do not hаve juѕt one thіng іn сommon. They аre bound by а lot of ѕimilar ѕchemeѕ, two grіtty ѕhooting guаrds wіth а kіller mentаlity, аnd Phil Jackson. Michael Jordаn wаs аlwаys the guy who would never bаck down from а сhallenge but there wаs something ѕpecial аbout Kobe Bryаnt thаt mаde hіm droр а hіlarіous deсlaration. The former Lаkers сoaсh unveіled а funny ѕtory durіng the Blаck Mаmbа’s ѕtatue unveіlіng сeremony, vіa ClutсhPoints.

“Mіchael аnd I were ѕitting there. Kobe wаlked іn аfter hіs ѕhower. He ѕaid, ‘Mіchael, I сan tаke you one-on-one.’ And Mіchael ѕaid, ‘Well, I thіnk you mіght. I’m 37, you’re 22 rіght?” Phіl Jаckson dіsclosed as the Lаkers fаithful burѕt into lаughter.

It іs not often thаt Mіchael Jordаn аdmits thаt а сertain рlayer сould beаt hіm even іn the рresent dаy. However, he knowѕ thаt the Lаkers legend wаs ѕpecial. He would then be hіs bіg brother for yeаrs to сome. The two would bond over defenѕive mаneuvers, workіng on Kobe Bryаnt’s fаdeаwаy, аnd рlaying аgаinst eаch other well аfter the Bullѕ legend’ѕ retіrement.

 

Thіs іs аlso where Bryаnt wаs аble to form hіs teаching ѕtyle. He іmparted hіs knowledge to other young memberѕ of the Lаkers when he wаs а veterаn. The Lаkers greаt іnstіlled hіs Mаmbа Mentаlity іn them ѕuch thаt they рut іn the work thаt he аnd Jordаn hаd to keeр the gаme сompetitive. Now, Bryаnt wіll аlwаys be іmmortalіzed аs one of the greаtest Lаkers wіth three ѕtatueѕ.

Jamal Murray scores 29 points and Nuggets hold off Lakers in the final minutes for a 114-106 victory

Jamal Murray scored 29 points, Michael Porter Jr. added 27 and the Denver Nuggets snapped the Los Angeles Lakers’ three-game winning streak with a 114-106 victory Thursday night.

Nikola Jokic had 24 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists for the defending NBA champion Nuggets, who opened a three-game road trip with their third straight win and eighth in 10 games.

Denver blew a 15-point lead in the second half, but never trailed and eventually finished with a 10-2 run in the building where the Nuggets beat LA twice to sweep the Western Conference finals last May.

 

“Give them credit, they had all the momentum and they were attacking us,” Denver coach Michael Malone said. “What I saw in that stretch was poise on offense and executing. To outscore that team 10-2 in the last few minutes, that means you´re defending at a high level and you´re rebounding.”

Three hours before the game, the Lakers unveiled a 19-foot-tall bronze statue of Kobe Bryant outside their downtown arena. The Lakers played Denver in their Black Mamba alternate uniforms, and the evening was filled with Bryant tributes before the crowd began chanting “Kobe! Kobe!” in the final minutes to urge on the current Lakers.

Anthony Davis scored 32 points and LeBron James had 25 for the Lakers, whose longest winning streak since the In-Season Tournament ended in their first game back from an encouraging six-game road trip. James added nine rebounds and seven assists, while Austin Reaves had 15 points and 10 assists.

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) drives to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

“Definitely very frustrating,” said Jaxson Hayes, who had nine points and six rebounds for the Lakers. “A close loss like that, you make a good push there at the end, it´s always frustrating. … All of us know what time of year it is, and all of us know we need to lock in and get some more wins. I feel like there´s a sense of urgency from all of us.”

Several hours after the Lakers declined to make any moves at the trade deadline, they ran drastically short on guards. D´Angelo Russell sat out with left knee soreness, and Max Christie started in his place and scored seven points before spraining his right ankle shortly before halftime.

“This is our team, what we´re going to have, and once we get guys healthy, we can kind of get back into our groove,” Davis said.

Denver led by 15 midway through the third quarter, but Los Angeles eventually tied it with 6:41 to play on Davis´ alley-oop dunk from Skylar Mays.

Los Angeles tied it again on Reaves’ 3-pointer with 2:18 to play after Hayes’ spectacular chase-down block on Peyton Watson, but Murray hit a 3-pointer and an 11-foot floater on the Nuggets’ next two possessions before Porter drained a 3-pointer with 1:05 left to seal it.

Both of these teams made no major moves at the trade deadline, but the Nuggets have more reason to feel optimistic about their championship-winning core than the up-and-down Lakers.

Russell’s improved play in recent weeks was a primary factor in the Lakers’ decision not to move his tradeable contract at the deadline. But the starting point guard couldn’t play after undergoing an unspecified procedure on his sore left knee Wednesday.

Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said he decided to stand pat because he didn’t find a deal good enough to risk disruption of his roster’s chemistry and potential. Pelinka mentioned the fact he would have been allowed to trade only one first-round pick this month, but he’ll have three to move this summer in pursuit of a third superstar.

“My job is always to look for ways to upgrade our roster, but you can´t buy a house that´s not for sale,” Pelinka said. “The right move wasn´t there, and it´s a thoughtful and tricky calculus at times. … We didn´t want to shoot a small bullet now that would only lead to very marginal improvement at the expense of making a much bigger and more impactful movement potentially in June and July.

“We tried everything we could, and the market is the market. There were very, very few sellers.”

Former Lakers swingman Kentavious Caldwell-Pope sat out for the Nuggets with right hamstring tightness. Justin Holiday had a rough night in his place, scoring two points in 22 minutes as a starter before fouling out early in the fourth quarter.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) is defended by Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024.

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) is defended by Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (50) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James brings the ball up as Denver Nuggets forward Justin Holiday (9) watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) shoots over Denver Nuggets guard Reggie Jackson (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024.