“Always turn a negative situation into a positive situation,” Michael Jordan always has been true to his words. Stories of his mesmerizing performances abound, like his famous 63-point playoff game against the Boston Celtics in 1986 or his iconic “Flu Game” during the 1997 NBA Finals. Whether it was his gravity-defying dunks, clutch buzzer-beaters, or his unparalleled ability to dominate games mentally and physically, Jordan had a way of mesmerizing opponents and fans alike.

One such moment, revealed in a recent podcast by former NBA star Baron Davis, perfectly encapsulates Jordan’s enduring mystique. Davis recounted how a moment of personal triumph against MJ’s Wizards was abruptly followed by a humbling experience that underscored Jordan’s greatness.

“Let me get him. So I guard him. The first time I know he’s going for the fadeaway and booh wooh he goes to fade and I’m on top of the fade. He got to fade and I’m like get that s–t and then he leans back like another inch and shoot the ball. Okay All right Man, I got this fool. He got to the post again and I knew this s–t coming, he about to turn to the middle. He turn to the middle up, up and under, layup,” said Davis during the interview.

The game being talked about is the second game between the Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards in the 2001-02 season. After overthrowing Jordan in their first game, Davis was a bit overconfident about this one. But overconfidence was broken as Jordan scored 28 points with a field goal percentage of 39.3.

The main reason for the Hornet’s point guard’s overconfidence was in the previous game, which was their first game against Jordan of that season, the then 22-year-old guard dropped an impressive 32 points, confidently leading his team to a memorable performance.

“I had 32 that night and in my mind I was like damn bro. I’m Michael Jordan of the night. I’m your captain now. I was looking at him like, yeah okay. Just, you know, sizing him up like, man you brought all this attention for me. I’m all here. I’m Michael Jordan now,” said Davis during the interview.

Davis himself enjoyed a stellar career in the NBA. Over 13 seasons, he averaged 16.1 points, 7.2 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game. His playoff heroics with the “We Believe” Golden State Warriors in 2007, where they upset the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks, remains a highlight of his career. Yet, even with such accolades, his experience against Jordan stands out as a testament to MJ’s enduring greatness.

This story is more than just an anecdote about a young player’s overconfidence being shattered. It’s a reminder of the layers that made Jordan the legend he is. Moreover, the former All-Star once also settled the ongoing debate regarding Jordan.

When Davis settled the Jordan and LeBron GOAT debate

In the endless debate over whether Michael Jordan or LeBron James reign supreme as basketball’s greatest, Golden State Warriors legend Baron Davis offered a thoughtful perspective that resonated with many. Having faced Jordan four times during his career and laced up against LeBron James seventeen times at the peak of his dominance, Davis is uniquely positioned to weigh in with firsthand experience.

However, his take was somewhat different from other standouts who gave their opinion. “If you want an answer, it’s not either or, it’s both. And it’s an appreciation for them as being artists,” said Baron to the fan who asked him the GOAT question. Moreover, the point guard even shared his thoughts on why he gave such an answer.

“And so you have to appreciate their art, their artistry, their creativeness, right, and their accomplishments….But you cannot compare it because they did not- these artists did not live in the same space, or create in the same space at the same time,” said Davis.

The most usual answer to this question ends up with discussing how many accolades and points each players have. Rather than choosing sides, Davis emphasizes appreciating both legends for their unique contributions to the sport. In the end with this graceful explanation, Davis doesn’t just settle the debate—he transcends it, encouraging fans to celebrate basketball’s rich and evolving history. As for his experience with Jordan, he surely knows not to undermine His Airness now.