In the captivating panorama of today’s sports world, attention is riveted to ‘Iceman: A George Gervin Story,’ sparked by Jordan’s startling confession. The iconic player, with an illustrious 14-season journey spanning both the ABA and NBA, stands as a living prelude to the legendary Michael Jordan. The consensus among NBA veterans is resounding: Gervin, in essence, passed the torch to His Airness.
Michael Jordan’s Startling Confession Unveils NBA’s Greatest ‘What If’ Scenario
Once averse to being teammates, the tides have now turned, and MJ, with a gleam in his eyes, extols his one-time companion as the ultimate mentor for any NBA star. Previously, Jordan reserved his wisdom exclusively for His Airness, but times have changed.
When the Chicago Bulls drafted Michael Jordan in 1984, George “The Iceman” Gervin was in his 12th professional season. The Bulls secured Gervin for the 1985-86 season, a move that would precede his stint in Europe and retirement in 1990, just before Jordan steered the Bulls to their inaugural championship. In retrospect, Jordan is convinced that with Gervin on the team, the title could have been clinched much earlier.
In a recent bold statement, Jordan expressed that having George in his prime beside him would have posed significant challenges, considering both were capable of scoring 40-50 points.
Gervin, an exceptional small forward in his prime, akin to Scottie Pippen, was not greeted with the same enthusiasm. When the Bulls acquired “The Iceman” in 1986, Jordan expressed discontent publicly, stating, “I have no comment on the trade. Just say I am unhappy.” It seems young Jordan hadn’t yet grasped the art of a ‘no comment.’
Reports from Chicago news outlets highlighted regular tensions between the young and senior players. Despite Gervin’s impressive 45-point game and a full season with the Bulls, a palpable friction lingered.
Post-Gervin, the Bulls welcomed Scottie Pippen in 1987, and their on-court chemistry was instantaneous. Although we know the bitter end of Jordan and Pippen’s friendship, the question remains: How did the relationship with Gervin evolve?
As NBA archives reveal, Gervin, sensing the pace of the game surpassing him, recognized Jordan’s potential during their time together. Despite once holding MJ to just 9 points in a game, Gervin acknowledged the evolution of the NBA, admitting, “He played just as hard in practice as he did in the basketball game. I saw potential in him. It was scary.”
Intriguingly, Gervin didn’t foresee Jordan’s legendary status but felt honored that his career spanned from Julius Erving to Michael Jordan. The dynamic between these basketball greats is an untold narrative, offering a glimpse into the ‘what if’ scenarios that could have reshaped NBA history.
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