When Jordan Played Philly

For many people my age, Michael Jordan was one of the seemingly mythical athletes that enraptured us as kids with his skills and physical abilities. Except it wasn't mythical, it wasn't Hollywood. MJ did all of those things we saw. He's one of the key reasons many of us love sports. It's hard to believe it's been 11 years since he walked away from the Chicago Bulls. Today, he'll take his place among the all time greats as he is inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

The Internet has been exploding with Jordan tributes but we thought Philadunkia's effort to list a number of times when the Sixers got the better of MJ to be quite enjoyable. When it comes to Michael Jordan and the Sixers, I think one moment sticks out the most to me: [video below]

Philadunkia writes:

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3. March 12, 1997– One of the few
highlights from that 22-60 season. After some controversial comments in
December of the 1996-97 season by rookie Allen Iverson in which he
basically stated that he feared no one in the NBA and that the other
players would have to earn his respect, A.I. received a stern warning
from MJ that Iverson may not respect others in the League, but “You
have to respect us.”
When the two met in March of that same season, it was on. The rookie
and the G.O.A.T. spent much of the game going at each other, trading
baskets as if they were the only two on the court. Then in the 3rdquarter,
Iverson was iso’d on Jordan at the top of the key and after a nice
setup he hit Jordan with his infamous killer crossover, broke MJ’s
ankles and dropped a sweet J in for two of his 37 points.

And the footage for required viewing.

I can still hear Phil Jackson yelling "Michael." Ahhh, a young Allen Iverson. Sigh.

I'm sure we all have our favorite Jordan memories. I had second row seats for a Celtics vs. Wizards game in 2001 up at the new Garden in Boston while I was going to college up there. In only his fifth game out of retirement Jordan put up 32 points but eventually fell to the Antoine Walker-led Celtics. Quite the memory being only feet from the greatest basketball player ever.