“You can’t fool the fans”: Michael Jordan Ridicules “Next MJ” Tag in Unseen Last Dance Interview

ESPN’s The Last Dance documentary helped fans get a closer look at the stunning journey of Michael Jordan in the NBA. Fans witnessed the adversities MJ faced during his amazing title runs.

A special limited-time Blu-ray gift set for The Last Dance will be released on November 10. The set will feature four hours of bonus footage filled with unseen, exclusive interviews. A short clip from the interview surfaced online, in which MJ spoke about other players receiving the “Next-MJ” label.

“It’s not fair, you know, but it’s a standard of measurement. When I came in, [it was] Dr. J. It’s just a standard of measurement to compare to. But there’s never going to be another Michael Jordan. There’s never going to be another Dr. J. Magic Johnson. Larry Bird.

“Now, there’s gonna be a Kobe Bryant, there’s gonna be a Grant Hill, Anthony Hardaway. These guys are going to have similar traits, it’s how they manifest those traits to be the best basketball player.

“No matter what the league does, in terms of trying to promote, you can’t fool the consumer, you can’t fool the fans. So I mean, the game is going to say, he’s the next, whoever. Your game is going to have to evolve to hold up to that label the league is trying to promote you with. It’s a danger to that because the credibility of the game could take a hit.”

Comparing new players to former greats is a well-known practice in the NBA. However, as MJ mentioned, it could lead to the credibility of the game taking a hit. At the end of the day, each player is special in their own way, and fans should respect that.

Michael Jordan: The greatest player ever?

During the documentary, MJ’s drive to win and establish himself as a great player was prominent. Although it took some time for Jordan to get the perfect team around him, once he had that, he never looked back.

Jordan won his first NBA championship in 1991 and then went on to win five more in the same decade. When MJ retired after his sixth championship, he had an untainted finals record and numerous accolades to his name.

Even after almost two decades of his retirement, Jordan is regarded as the best player in NBA history for most sections of the crowd. But who do you think is the best basketball player ever? Share your thoughts in the comments down below.