Michael Jordan vs Magic Johnson: The Story Of The Game Prohibited By NBA
Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson are, without question, two of the greatest basketball players in history.
The battles between Jordan’s Chicago Bulls and Magic’s LA Lakers are inscribed in basketball legend, however the clash which had the potential to be the most thrilling between the pair never took place.
After Jordan won his first NBA Championship in 1991, the prospect of a one-on-one match with Magic for one million dollars was raised by Loui DiBella and Seth Abraham, two prominent entrepreneurs in the boxing world.
Whilst Magic was immediately ready for the challenge, Jordan was less excited at the prospect, as he believed he would win easily.
“Not to sound cocky, but I have to admit that I would have the advantage being that I would be a little quicker and able to use a lot more weapons than he may,” Jordan said.
Eventually, the NBA stopped it from happening, believing it made basketball too similar to boxing.
“We are not interested in seeing our players promoted like boxers in Las Vegas,” said Gary Bettman, former general counsel to the NBA.
