Michael Jordan is widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He dominated the court with his incredible athleticism and shooting ability.
Throughout his career, he faced off against some of the best players in the game, pushing himself and his opponents to be better.
We will take a look at some of the best players that MJ faced during his career and discuss how they pushed him to become the legendary athlete that he is today.
1. Karl Malone
Karl Anthony Malone is one of the most celebrated basketball players in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
He played professionally for 19 consecutive seasons, from 1985 to 2004, and earned the nickname “the Mailman” for his remarkable consistency in delivering results. Malone is widely considered to be one of the greatest power forwards in the history of the NBA.
He was a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, an 11-time NBA All-Star, and a 14-time All-NBA selection, with his career achievements being highlighted by his appearances in the NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998. Malone was an exceptionally well-rounded player who excelled in all facets of the game.
He was a tenacious rebounder, a lethal scorer, and a strong defender. His athleticism and physicality made him a formidable opponent, and he was capable of dominating any game.
He holds the all-time record for most free throws made and attempted, and he ranks second in total points scored. He was a powerful force in the paint who could score from anywhere on the court. Malone was also known for his dedication to the game.
His work ethic and commitment to improving himself were remarkable. He was notorious for his intense training regimen and his willingness to sacrifice for the team.
He embraced the challenge of leading the Utah Jazz to the NBA Finals, and he was a leader on and off the court. Karl Anthony Malone is a true legend of the game. His remarkable skill and determination will be remembered for generations to come.
He is a living testament to the power of hard work and dedication, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of basketball players.
2. Magic Johnson
Earvin “Magic” Johnson Jr. is an American businessman and former professional basketball player who is widely viewed as the greatest point guard of all time.
Johnson was born and raised in Lansing, Michigan and spent 13 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Johnson was drafted first overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1979 NBA Draft and quickly established himself as an elite player.
He was named an All-Star in his rookie season and went on to be selected to 12 All-Star Teams during his illustrious career. Johnson would win five NBA championships with the Lakers, three NBA Finals MVP awards, and three regular season MVP awards.
His signature style of play was characterized by his court vision, improvisation, unselfishness, and his ability to make his teammates better. Outside of basketball, Johnson has been a successful businessman.
After retiring from the NBA, Johnson founded Magic Johnson Enterprises, an investment company focused on urban development.
He has also been involved in the entertainment industry, working as a commentator for the 2012 Summer Olympics and an adviser for the Los Angeles Dodgers ownership group.
In addition to his business ventures, Johnson is a philanthropist who has dedicated much of his time and resources to the fight against HIV/AIDS.
3. Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal, most commonly known as Shaq, is a former professional basketball player and sports analyst from the United States. He is one of the most well-known basketball players of all time and is credited for revolutionizing the game with his height and strength.
He spent 19 seasons in the NBA and won four championships with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat. He was an All-Star 15 times and was named the NBA MVP in 2000.
He was also an eight-time All-NBA selection and three-time All-Defensive Team selection. Shaq is currently an analyst on the popular television program Inside the NBA. This show features Shaq and four other basketball analysts discussing current events and breaking down the game.
With his experience, Shaq is able to provide a unique insight and perspective on the sport that viewers find to be informative and entertaining. He has become a beloved figure on the show and has become an integral part of the broadcast.
His trademark humor and insight have made him one of the most popular personalities on the show and viewers look forward to his appearances.
4. Larry Bird
Larry Joe Bird is a legendary figure in the world of basketball. He is considered one of the greatest players of all time due to his impressive career as a professional basketball player, coach, and executive in the National Basketball Association.
Bird was born in French Lick, Indiana, and earned the nickname “the Hick from French Lick” for his rural upbringing.
He was also known as “Larry Legend” for his incredible feats on the court. Bird had a great career as a player, beginning when he was drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1978. He was an integral part of a Celtics team that won three NBA championships in the 1980s.
Bird was also a three-time MVP during his playing career and was named to the All-Star team twelve times. He retired in 1992 after having also played for the Indiana Pacers. Bird continued to make an impact in the basketball world after his playing career ended.
He was hired as the head coach of the Indiana Pacers in 1997 and led them to the Eastern Conference Finals in his first year.
He also served as the Pacers’ president of basketball operations from 2003 to 2012. Overall, Larry Joe Bird is a legendary figure in the world of basketball.
He had a tremendous career as a player, coach, and executive, and is widely considered to be one of the best players of all time.
His nickname, “the Hick from French Lick” and “Larry Legend” further signify his greatness, and his accomplishments will be remembered for generations to come.
5. John Stockton
John Houston Stockton is a legendary figure in the world of basketball. He is widely considered one of the best point guards, players, and passers of all time. Throughout his distinguished 19-year career in the NBA, Stockton was a beloved member of the Utah Jazz team.
With Stockton’s undeniable talent and guidance, the Jazz found tremendous success, making the playoffs in every single season that he was with the team.
His remarkable passing ability and leadership skills helped to shape the entire Utah Jazz organization into a strong powerhouse in the NBA. Stockton’s lasting legacy in the sport of basketball will remain an inspiration to generations to come.
6. Gary Payton
Gary Dwayne Payton is a legendary basketball player who had an incredible 13-year career with the Seattle SuperSonics. During his time with the Sonics, Payton was widely considered one of the best point guards in the game and established a number of franchise records.
He was known for his exceptional ability to create plays and set up his teammates, as well as his outstanding defense. Payton was a nine-time NBA All-Star and a five-time All-NBA First Team selection.
He was the first player to ever win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award during his time with the SuperSonics.
He was also a two-time Olympic gold medalist and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Payton’s ability to read the game and see the court with his impressive vision is what set him apart from other players.
He was a master at stealing the ball and creating turnovers. On the offensive end, he was a great passer and had an elite ability to create scoring opportunities.
His leadership and determination to win was also something that made him a great player. Payton’s legacy in the game of basketball will live on for years. He left an incredible impact on the game and will be remembered for his incredible achievements.
He is widely considered one of the greatest point guards of all time and will forever be remembered for his remarkable tenure with the Seattle SuperSonics.
7. Clyde Drexler
Clyde Austin Drexler is a renowned figure in the world of basketball. He is an American former professional basketball player who is widely known for his contributions to the game.
He was a ten-time All-Star, making him one of the most decorated players in the history of the NBA. Following his retirement from basketball, Drexler has pursued a successful career in business and broadcasting.
He is currently the commissioner of the Big3 3-on-3 basketball league, an organization founded by Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz which features former professional basketball players.
Drexler’s role as the commissioner of the Big3 has been vital in bringing attention to the league and has allowed him to further his legacy in the world of basketball.
8. Reggie Miller
Reginald Wayne Miller is an iconic figure in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was an American professional basketball player who played his entire 18-year career in the NBA with the Indiana Pacers.
Miller had a remarkable career with the Pacers, becoming one of the most prolific scoring guards in NBA history.
He was a five-time All-Star, three-time three-point shootout champion, and one-time Most Valuable Player. Miller was drafted by the Pacers in 1987 and quickly made a name for himself.
In his rookie season, he averaged 19.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
Over the course of his career, he established himself as one of the league’s most dangerous shooters, leading the league in three-point field goals made four times and becoming the first player to make 2,560 three-pointers.
He was also an excellent free-throw shooter, setting an NBA record for most consecutive free throws made with 60. Miller was also a leader on the court, captaining the Pacers for 15 of his 18 seasons with the team.
He was a major contributor to the Pacers’ success, leading the team to six consecutive playoff appearances and five division titles.
He was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 1998 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012. Miller’s legacy lives on to this day.
He is remembered as one of the greatest players to ever wear a Pacers uniform and is the franchise’s all-time leader in points, three-pointers, and free throws. He is an inspiration to basketball players around the world and is an example of what hard work and dedication can do.
Reginald Wayne Miller is a true icon of the NBA.
9. Patrick Ewing
Patrick Aloysius Ewing Sr. is a highly accomplished basketball coach and former professional player. He was born in Jamaica and moved to the United States with his family in the 1960s. He has since become a prominent figure in the American basketball scene.
Ewing played collegiately at Georgetown University from 1981-1985, where he was a three-time All-American and led the Hoyas to the 1984 National Championship title.
He was selected first overall in the 1985 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks and went on to have an illustrious career in the NBA.
He was an 11-time All-Star, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, and an NBA Champion in 1994 with the Houston Rockets. Following his retirement from playing in 2002, Ewing returned to Georgetown University as an assistant coach for the men’s basketball team.
In 2017, he was hired as the head coach of the men’s team, where he served for three years. During his tenure, he led the Hoyas to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances. In 2021, Ewing stepped down as head coach of the program.
Throughout his career, Ewing has been a revered figure in the basketball world. He is regarded as one of the greatest players and coaches in the history of the game, and he has left an indelible mark on the sport.
10. Isiah Thomas
Isiah Lord Thomas III, more commonly known as “Zeke”, is an iconic figure in the American basketball community. He is a former professional basketball player, philanthropist, and coach, and is currently an analyst for NBA TV.
His career accomplishments are remarkable, having been named to the NBA’s 50th and 75th anniversary teams, and being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Throughout his playing career, Thomas was a 12-time NBA All-Star and was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996. He was known for his incredible passing and ball-handling skills, as well as his ability to lead his teams to victory.
Thomas was part of the Detroit Pistons’ “Bad Boys” era, leading the team to two consecutive NBA championships in 1989 and 1990. In addition to his basketball career, Thomas has also made great contributions to the community through his philanthropic work.
He founded the Isiah Thomas Foundation in 2004, an organization that provides support for underprivileged youth and their families. Thomas has also been the head coach of the Indiana Pacers and the Florida International University men’s basketball team.
Isiah Lord Thomas III is an American basketball great whose accomplishments in the sport and in the community make him an exemplary figure. He is a true icon in the world of basketball, and his legacy will continue to live on.
11. Scottie Pippen
Scotty Maurice Pippen Sr., commonly known as Scottie Pippen, is an American former professional basketball player. He was one of the most successful NBA players of all time, and is widely considered to be one of the greatest to ever play the game.
Pippen played 17 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), the majority of which were with the Chicago Bulls. During his time with the Bulls, he won six NBA championships and helped lead the team to unprecedented success.
He was part of the legendary squad that won the Bulls’ first three-peat championship run in the 1990s and was an integral part of the iconic teams that won three more titles in the 2000s.
Pippen was a seven-time NBA All-Star and was also named to the All-NBA First Team eight times. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010.
His number 33 was retired by the Bulls and the Portland Trail Blazers, the two teams he played for in his long and illustrious career.
Pippen’s legacy as a basketball great is solidified, and he will always be remembered for his incredible accomplishments both on and off the court.
12. Hakeem Olajuwon
Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon, also known as “The Dream”, was an iconic figure in the world of professional basketball. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, he came to the United States at the age of 15 to pursue his basketball career.
He was a center in the NBA for the Houston Rockets from 1984 to 2002 and then for the Toronto Raptors during his last season. During his time with the Rockets, he won two NBA championships and was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.
He was known for his unique style of play, which combined his African heritage and Nigerian background with his American basketball training. Olajuwon was a six-time All-Star and three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
He also won the NBA MVP Award in 1994 and was named one of the 100 Greatest Players of All Time in 1996.
In addition to his on-court accomplishments, Olajuwon was heavily involved in the Nigerian basketball community, establishing the Dream Foundation and the Dream Court for youth basketball in Lagos.
Olajuwon’s impact on the game of basketball was undeniable, and his legacy will continue to live on for many generations of basketball fans.
13. James Worthy
James Ager Worthy is a renowned figure in the world of basketball. He is an American sports commentator, television host, analyst, and former professional basketball player.
As a professional basketball player, he was known as “Big Game James” and dedicated his entire career to playing for the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
His impressive skills and abilities earned him the title of NBA Finals MVP in 1988, as well as being selected for 12 All-Star Games, 7 All-NBA Teams, and 3 NBA All-Defensive Teams.
After retiring from playing professional basketball, Worthy pursued a career as a sports commentator and television host. He was a key contributor to ESPN’s NBA Countdown and provided in-depth analysis on the sport.
He was also the host of ESPN’s “The NBA Today” and a regular guest on The Dan Patrick Show. Worthy’s insight and knowledge of basketball has made him one of the most respected and trusted voices in the sports world. Overall, James Ager Worthy is a true basketball legend.
From his incredible playing career to his work in television and radio, his contributions to the world of basketball will always be remembered.
14. Allen Iverson
Allen Ezail Iverson is an iconic figure in the world of basketball. He was born in 1975 and made a name for himself as one of the best players in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
A ten-time All-Star, he was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2001 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016. Iverson earned his nickname, “The Answer,” due to his incredible skill on the court.
He was a master of the crossover dribble, able to blow past defenders with ease.
He also had an uncanny ability to score points in bunches and was a constant threat to score from outside the arc. Iverson played 14 seasons in the NBA, splitting his time between the shooting guard and point guard positions.
He was a prolific scorer, averaging 27.0 points per game for his career. He also excelled as a ball-handler and playmaker, averaging 6.2 assists per game.
His tenacity and creativity on the offensive end made him one of the most exciting players in NBA history. Iverson’s legacy will continue to live on in the world of basketball.
He will always be remembered as a dynamic and explosive player and an inspirational leader on the court. He was never afraid to take risks, and his fearlessness and determination will forever be admired by basketball fans around the world.
Conclusion
Michael Jordan faced a lot of great players during his illustrious career. From Hall of Famers to All-Stars, MJ had to compete against some of the best players of all time. He rose to the challenge and was able to come out on top in most of his matchups.
His drive, determination, and skill set him apart from the competition and ultimately led him to become one of the greatest players of all time.
