Michael Jordan Once Admitted Feeling Intense Pressure Facing $5.8 Billion Worth New York Knicks: ?I Was Always Nervous When I Played in Madison Square Garden?

Michael Jordan is known for his immense fearlessness on the court. His competitiveness and will to go the extra mile are what made him one of the greatest NBA players of all time. The six-time NBA champ took down the toughest of opponents with sheer determination and valiant efforts. There have been very rare occasions that Michael Jordan would have felt nervous on the basketball court. However, the Chicago Bulls legend admitted to feeling intense pressure while playing at the home court of the $5.8 billion worth New York Knicks.

MJ appeared during a special edition of ‘One On One with Ahmad Rashad’ years ago. The 14-time All-Star shared moments of uncertainty when he returned to the NBA in 1995 after leaving the league in 1993. Jordan had lost the motivation to continue after winning three back-to-back championships from 1991-93.

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The Bulls legend also lost his father James Jordan in 1993, following which he decided to try his hand at baseball. Jordan played one season for the minor league baseball team Birmingham Barons. However, Michael Jordan soon returned to the NBA in 1995, but it was not the same as when he had left.

Michael Jordan felt nervous at Madison Square Garden

Jordan had to pick it all up again and it took him five games to get back to his dominance. MJ was not sure if his body was still capable of following the mindset he had. However, Jordan finally got his rhythm back when he came to Madison Square Garden to play against the New York Knicks. The six-time Finals MVP destroyed the Kicks by putting up 55 points during the game.

During the interview, MJ said that his game was always on stage in New York. The crowd in New York was quite reactive to a player’s performance in terms of respect and criticism. Jordan stated, “So, I was always nervous when I played in Madison Square…more so than any other building that I played in.”

The environment in Madison Square Garden energized Jordan to put on a show for the fans and he did it pretty well. Unfortunately, The Chicago Bulls fell short of the championship in 1995.

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However, Jordan returned to the NBA stronger and more focused the following season as the journey of his second three-peat with the Chicago Bulls began. MJ won three more straight championships from 1996-98 and became one of the most legendary NBA stars in history.