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Michael Jordan vs LaBradford Smith: an unforgettable duel

Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2023 6:40 am
by GSWFan1994
Here's a bit of a context:

On March 19, 1993, Smith's lottery-bound Washington Bullets traveled to Chicago to take on the defending champion Bulls. Smith received his fourth straight start as he teamed with All-Star Michael Adams in the backcourt and was given the assignment of matching up with Jordan.

Smith, who averaged just 9.3 PPG for the season, went on to light up MJ for a career-high 37 points. He connected on 15 of his 20 field goals and was a perfect 7-of-7 from the free-throw line.

The Bulls, however, still won the game, 104-99. Jordan got the win, but he wasn't very pleased with the fact that he allowed an unknown player like Smith to drop so many points on him.

Following the game, Jordan claimed that Smith mocked him by saying, "Nice game, Mike." Jordan then supposedly promised people he would match Smith's 37 points in the first half of the two teams' next meeting, which was the very next day.

In the second game, this time at the Bullets' Capital Centre, Jordan almost followed through on his promise as he scored 36 points by halftime. He would finish with 47 and his Bulls cruised to a 126-101 victory.

Smith, the hero of the previous night's game, had just 15 points.

Jordan admitted years later that Smith never made the "nice game" comment. He made it all up. He apparently just needed more motivation to get Smith back for embarrassing him.



Watch on YouTube


BTW, I recommend this YT channel, it has lots of old school NBA anecdotes and stories.

Also, this comment on the vid:

"Nice game": He was being sarcastic. I took that personal
"Terrible game": He was being disrespectful. I took that personal
"Amazing game": He was being a kiss-ass. I took that personal

Ain't no winning against Michael Jordan :)


:lol:

Re: Michael Jordan vs LaBradford Smith: an unforgettable duel

Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2023 6:54 am
by RoundMoundOfRebound
Image

Re: Michael Jordan vs LaBradford Smith: an unforgettable duel

Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2023 11:49 am
by Long2_noD
All hail the POAT

Re: Michael Jordan vs LaBradford Smith: an unforgettable duel

Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2023 11:56 am
by Slava
The most unforgettable duel since Prince vs Charlie Murphy.

Re: Michael Jordan vs LaBradford Smith: an unforgettable duel

Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2023 1:27 pm
by Uncle Mxy
Fortunately, LaVar Ball decimated Michael Jordan, making up for this affront to his fellow "La".
Gotta love La La Land!

Re: Michael Jordan vs LaBradford Smith: an unforgettable duel

Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2023 2:04 pm
by jehosafats
Uncle Mxy wrote:Fortunately, LaVar Ball decimated Michael Jordan, making up for this affront to his fellow "La".
Gotta love La La Land!

NEVER LOST!

Re: Michael Jordan vs LaBradford Smith: an unforgettable duel

Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2023 3:24 pm
by ropjhk
Hope this story inspires Luka against that rookie.

Re: Michael Jordan vs LaBradford Smith: an unforgettable duel

Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2023 3:59 pm
by Gusto1903
I only know LeBryan Nash

Re: Michael Jordan vs LaBradford Smith: an unforgettable duel

Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2023 5:22 pm
by GSWFan1994
ropjhk wrote:Hope this story inspires Luka against that rookie.


That guy was not even drafted! :lol:

Actually I don't know if he even applied for the draft...

Re: Michael Jordan vs LaBradford Smith: an unforgettable duel

Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2023 6:28 pm
by ropjhk
GSWFan1994 wrote:
ropjhk wrote:Hope this story inspires Luka against that rookie.


That guy was not even drafted! :lol:

Actually I don't know if he even applied for the draft...


Maybe that's why he said what he said. He knows he'll probably never go up against Luka. Luka should have the Mavs give him a GLeague contract so that Luka can stay motivated for training camp.

Re: Michael Jordan vs LaBradford Smith: an unforgettable duel

Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2023 7:30 pm
by jehosafats
I see LaBradford had one of those spectacular whole-body, heave-ho shooting forms.