Michael Jordan Missed “Serial K*ller” Job Due to Height Says Ex ESPN Journalist in Controversial Claim

The NBA of the 1980s and 90s wasn’t just a league; it was a battlefield. This was the era of the Detroit Pistons’ “Bad Boys,” Larry Bird’s cold-blooded intensity, and Magic Johnson’s relentless drive. Moreover, Michael Jordan, arguably the fiercest competitor of them all, thrived in this ruthless environment. But what if the towering figure of basketball’s greatest icon had been reduced in stature? A former ESPN analyst recently shared a narrative that no one had anticipated.

In the recent episode of The Rich Eisen Show, veteran ESPN journalist David Aldridge reignited discussions about Jordan’s legendary intensity, by saying that a change in height would have resulted in a darker change in profession.

“Rich, I’ve said this over the years many times. If Michael Jordan were 5’6 instead of 6’6, he’d be the greatest serial k*ller in the history of serial k*llers. He’s crazy and thank God he’s tall. You know because he just looked to your points. He didn’t just want to beat you, he just wanted to destroy you,” said Aldridge during the show.

David Aldridge’s claim might seem outlandish, but it reflects the extraordinary intensity that made Jordan an icon. In an era where fierceness was a prerequisite for greatness, Michael Jordan didn’t just meet the standard, he re-defined it.

“I get it, like I understand that we’re in a different era maybe than we were 30 years ago but 30 years years ago that’s what you had to do to be a champion. You couldn’t win an NBA championship being a nice guy, like you couldn’t. Larry Bird wasn’t a nice guy, Magic wasn’t a nice guy. Isiah wasn’t a nice guy. To beat those guys, you had to be ruthless. Like that’s an incredible gauntlet to run. To have to run to win an NBA title. Those are all timers and Michael had to become that guy,” added Aldridge.

If we see, the veteran journalist’s statement, while tongue-in-cheek, underscores the ferocity that defined Michael Jordan both on and off the court. One such example occurred during the 1997 NBA Finals when he played through a debilitating flu (or food poisoning, as later claimed and as verified by his docuseries The Last Dance) in what is now remembered as the “Flu Game.” Scoring 38 points to lead the Chicago Bulls to a pivotal victory, Jordan epitomized the warrior spirit of his era.

Another telling incident came during a 1995 practice session when Jordan punched teammate Steve Kerr in the face. “It made me look at myself and say, ‘You know what? You’re really being an idiot about this whole process,’ Michael Jordan recalled in ‘Eleven Rings,’ Phil Jackson’s book.

Despite his combative nature, Jordan’s greatness in the league is unparalleled. Over fifteen seasons, he won six NBA championships, five MVP awards, and 10 scoring titles. He averaged 30.1 points per game, which is the highest in NBA history, and delivered countless unforgettable moments like his gravity-defying “free-throw line dunk” and the iconic “Last Shot” that clinched the 1998 NBA Finals.

Whether standing at 5’6″ or 6’6″, Michael Jordan wasn’t just a basketball player. He was a phenomenon, a competitive beast whose intensity would have found expression in any field, transcending mere physical limitations to become a true force of nature. Moreover, during the interview, the journalist even settled a debate that has been going on for decades.

David Aldridge chose Michael Jordan over LeBron James

Despite comparing Michael Jordan’s relentless drive to that of a “serial k*ller,” David Aldridge has firmly positioned himself as a Jordan supporter. In his 15 seasons in the league, the Windy City legend scored more than 32,000 points and over 6,000 rebounds.

During the same interview, Aldridge was asked why he ranks Jordan over LeBron James. The 59-year-old didn’t spare a moment to answer that.

“LeBron’s got a case right. Like it’s not like he doesn’t have a case. He’s got a case, it’s a good case. It’s a really good case. Being great in year 22 is insane. That just doesn’t make any sense. It’s a legitimate real case. The reason I think Jordan’s number one, Michael Jordan’s got the greatest will of any professional athlete I’ve ever seen.“

“Dominated at every level, was a great defensive player earlier in his career, was still a really good defensive player late in his career, and is the greatest scorer that I’ve ever seen, you know could score from anywhere, against anybody, at any time. And you know I just think the totality of his impact on the game, his impact socially, his impact globally, all of it just leads to the same conclusion. He’s the best,” said Aldridge during the interview.