Bulls sweep Miami 3-0 in 1st round while Knicks gave tough battle against Pistons in 1st round and won in 5 games, classic #4 Knicks vs #5 Pistons battle
This is what Pat Riley said
“Bill Cartwright can do anything to Patrick Ewing but we can’t touch Michael Jordan!”
And remember that same year on Dream Team, Magic was making fun of Michael during photo shoot
"Don't get too close to Michael or it's a foul!![]()
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This is message for fellow Jordan fans, while Michael Jordan is one of the GOATS (He's my GOAT but everyone has their own GOAT so Id prefer to say he's one of them to recognize his and other legendary player greatness!)
He did get protection from refs and the league, because guess what, HE WAS THEIR BIGGEST STAR!
This is a criticism Jordan's fans use against LeBron fans, it goes something like this
"Michael Jordan played in toughest era in 80s & 90s, he got smacked up, beat up and body bruised up in that era! Oh and don't tell me about the Pistons! He never got support from refs like LeBron does, every foul he flops and ref gives a quick foul! LeBron can't compare to Jordan, he plays in soft era!"
CONCLUSION
Now granted, is the league softer today than it was in 80 and 90s? YES!
Do we have teams playing physical basketball like 80s Detroit Pistons & 90s New York Knicks? NO! Not even close!
But did Jordan get protection? If you give soft top to Jordan will ref give Bulls quick free throws? YES!
Every Superstar, especially when you're talking about Icons like Jordan, Bird, Magic, Kareem & LeBron, those guys get most protection from the league and fellow Jordan fans need to realize that!
Finally, Michael Jordan got most protection in the league of all time, same as LeBron or more because MICHAEL JORDAN WAS THEIR BIGGEST STAR, making the NBA the MOST MONEY THEY EVER MADE UNTIL THAT POINT! Michael Jordan was greatest asset the NBA had, of course they're going to protect that asset!
Superstars get protected, and that's okay. Because most fans tune in to watch NBA to see the superstars play!