Player, Michael Jordan was afraid of an NBA giant

Michael Jordan is considered by many to be one of the greatest players of all time. Known for his competitive spirit, Jordan was often seen as a player who feared no one. However, seven-time NBA champion Robert Horry revealed that there was one player MJ feared at the time. It was none other than Houston Rockets legend and Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon.

Having both been drafted in the now legendary draft of the NBA 1984, Hakeem Olajuwon et Michael Jordan were dominant forces. Selected with the first pick, the first mentioned is undoubtedly the greatest Rocket of all time. Likewise, His Airnessselected later, made Chicago Bulls an unstoppable force. Unfortunately, the two never met in the NBA Finals. After all, when the Nigerian superstar finally managed to go all the way, Jordan conveniently tried his hand at baseball.

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Horry’s surprising revelation about Jordan

And it was in 2016 that Robert Horry shocked the world by revealing that Michael Jordan wasn’t the fearless player everyone knew and loved. He said the six-time NBA champion feared one player: Hakeem Olajuwonwith whom Horry played during his years with the Houston Rockets. By developing further, Horry claimed that Jordan often called him and expressed his concerns about facing the 2m13 pivot. Originally from Nigeria, Olajuwon was often nicknamed the “ Great African » by Michael. A testimony to the strength of The Dream on the basketball court.

Olajuwon calls MJ the greatest of them all

It was certainly a bold statement fromHorry. But he didn’t stop there. By delving deeper into the whole scenario Jordan-Olajuwonhe even tried to refute the claims of fans of the Bulls. Horry conceded that the outcome of the 1994 and 1995 NBA Finals would not be different even if Jordan had played, convinced that the Rockets would have come out victorious anyway. Furthermore and as a testimony of mutual esteem, Olajuwon paid the greatest respect to Jordan using an animal analogy in his book. In reference to His Airness like an animal in the jungle, sitting on top of the biggest rock, he suggested that it was untouchable. A player impossible to neutralize and who dominated all his opponents.