“Make Them Stop Talking About Jordan”: Despite Having the MJ Mentality Himself, Ex-NBA All-Star Admits Being Put Under Pressure

Michael Jordan, after his impeccable tenure with the Chicago Bulls, started a new chapter with the Washington Wizards in 2000. However, his run with the team did not shine too bright. With the team receiving a lot of criticism from fans for their relatively poor performance with a star player on the roster, the Wizards owner sought to put an end to it by recruiting a young star from the Golden State Warriors in 2003.

The now 3x NBA All-Star recently sat down on a Warriors forward’s (Draymond Green) show to talk about his career. He also spoke about how his former team has now caught the attention of the NBA world. But most of all, he revealed an interesting notion about Michael Jordan during that time.

Washington Wizards owner wanted to put an end to ‘Michael Jordan era’ talks

One of the best recruits from the 2001 draft, Gilbert Arenas, joined Draymond Green to talk about his career in the NBA. After his first two years with the Golden State Warriors, the 6’4 former guard joined the Wizards in 2003. The same year, Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan retired from the NBA, after having spent his final two years at the Wizards. Many fans were left heartbroken.

Interestingly, Arenas revealed that the (late) owner of the Wizards at that time, Abe Pollen, was fed up with fans proclaiming Michael Jordan incessantly. One of the reasons Michael Jordan couldn’t deliver fully to the team during his time with the Wizards was his being older in age during the stint. However, that did not stop the fans from directing criticism towards the team and its owner.?

Read more: Gilbert Arenas Destroys Michael Jordan?s Pick Kwame Brown and Lakers Legend Pau Gasol: ?I Didn?t Even Know Who the F*ck They Were?

The subject came up when Green questioned the change in Arenas’ life after having switched to the Eastern Conference. Arenas shared a first challenge he faced with the Washington Wizards. He started explaining, “I had the relationship with the owner Abe Pollen…All he asked for is get me out of the Jordan era. Everyone’s killing me about Jordan. I need you to make them stop talking about Jordan and I’m indebted to you.”

Arenas took up the challenge. He told Pollen, “Alright I got you…Imma go out there and do my best and it’s like as long as you are doing what you are doing, I’m gonna push for you” Going on to do pretty much what he said on the show, the veteran guard took the team to the playoffs for four consecutive years from 2005 to 2009.

Though he did not win any championships, his tenure with the playoffs was something the 2000s fans loved watching, as the Michael Jordan era gradually saw new talent emerge.

Watch this story: “Charles Barkley, Michael Jordan, LeBron James— NBA stars who were inspired by high school coaches?

Do you think Gilbert Arenas did justice to Abe Pollen’s stance about Michael Jordan? We’d love to hear your thoughts – post a comment below!