“Scared to Death”: NBA Hall of Famer Reveals What It Was to Play Against Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls

Ray Allen is known as one of the best shooters in NBA history. The NBA Hall of Famer had an amazing career and won two rings in his career. But back in 1996, Allen was a 21-year-old rookie and at that time the league was dominated by His Airness Michael Jordan.

Jordan was returning back to the league after his brief first retirement and expectations were high for him. Moreover, Jordan delivered on those expectations and won his 4th ring that season, laying the groundwork for his second three-peat of the decade.

Ray Allen recently made an appearance on the James Posey Podcast, where he shared his thought process on playing against MJ for the first time. Allen said:

“My second game of my rookie year preseason, we played against the Bulls in 1997. So, Imagine that as a 21-year-old kid, you are playing against MJ. I was scared to death and in 97′, imagine hearing that theme song when he run down the floor and people they’re ready and waiting to watch the game.

“I’m on the floor stretching and he runs down the floor and I had to look up. It was like this is so surreal to me that I’m sitting on this court right now and I have watched this for the last 10 years of my life. So, I am like I am rooting for you against me.”

Michael Jordan is still a role model to many up and coming superstars in the league. But back in 1990s the aura of Michael Jordan was on another level. Everyone wanted to be like MJ but it was close to an impossible task.

Is Michael Jordan the GOAT?

The GOAT debate is a delicate discussion and there are two major candidates for GOAT status. One being Michael Jordan and second LeBron James. However, the consensus best player of all time is arguably Michael Jordan.

Furthermore, Jordan has an untainted final record which is held in high regard. Jordan went 6-0 in the finals and won six NBA rings in his illustrious career. Apart from winning championships, Jordan was a natural scorer and his mentality was unmatched.

When it comes to the sheer will to win games, there is hardly anyone in the same stratosphere as Jordan.

Do you believe Michael Jordan is the GOAT or is it some another player for you?