In the 90s, the golden era of basketball, Michael Jordan was at the very center. A basketball behemoth, the Chicago Bulls superstar was the most popular figure on the planet. Air Jordans became a fashion symbol, and Jordan a role model. During his peal in 1992, he would step into this global stardom when he traveled for the Olympics. While surrounded by his competitors, all NBA greats, he formed some priceless relationships. One was with a man who at the time refused to give up his status, Magic Johnson.

On the court, Jordan’s outlandish plays and supreme ability to score had sent a strong, alarming message to Magic. However, it was through their competition of cards off the court that he finally understood how being a superstar is second nature for His Airness.

Magic Johnson recalls the boundless talent of Michael Jordan

The ‘Dream Team’ introduced basketball as a global sport. They were the revolutionaries who paved the way for the NBA to rise to the pinnacle we see today. However, it was a team that needed to develop synergy. They were all arch nemeses, with big egos and a whole lot of self-respect. The eyes were on Michael Jordan, who at the time was the prevalent NBA champion and the ‘best’ for many. Someone who found out why was Magic Johnson.

Battling together, the duo built a very close relationship. Nights before the game, a group of him, MJ, and Charles Barkley would meet for cards. The Chuckster would leave early to party. Then it was a game of who cracks first. The two eerily competitive stars would play until 3 AM. Johnson would have to eventually step in and stop their grudge matches every night.

What really startled him is what would transpire hours later. Jordan would crush the opponents and take their will away from them by scoring “25 by halftime”. It became a daily schedule for Michael Jordan and Magic. But the Los Angeles Lakers legend couldn’t sustain it for long before it started affecting his performance.

“Michael I can’t do this man! I’m physically drained,” Magic revealed what he said in Sam Smith’s book There Is No Next.

On the other hand, His Airness was unbothered by the tedious schedule. All he required was three hours of sleep and a nap before the game to tune into his basketball genius. In Magic’s eyes, it was an unprecedented sight. He had never seen an athlete “mentally and physically strong” to the extent that Jordan took it.

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“He only needed three hours of sleep and a nap to perform at a superstar level. There’s nobody that I’ve met that can do that but Michael Jordan,” admitted the five-time champion.

Even with the late nights, MJ led the way for the ‘Dream Team’. He disrupted the opposition with his 37 steals and averaged 14.9 points per game according to Basketball Reference. Fittingly, he scored 22 in the gold medal game against Croatia, proving he would always rise to the biggest platform. Team USA demolished their rivals by an average of 43.8 points to claim a historic gold medal in 1992.

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Additionally, Magic would pass the torch to Michael Jordan, who would lead the journey for the next decade.