- Armstrong and Grant took a stand against Jordan’s overwhelming shot attempts
- The duo’s vow to freeze out MJ was put to the test against a formidable opponent
- But they didn’t end up sticking to their plan
One of the most famous stories about Michael Jordan’s teammates was when B.J. Armstrong swore never to pass him the ball in 1991. As detailed in the famous book “The Jordan Rules” by Sam Smith, Armstrong and power forward Horace Grant felt that Jordan was hogging the ball too much and decided to do something about it:
“Armstrong knew what he had to do. When I get it. I’m shooting it. Jordan doesn’t get it from me.”
“Me, too,” said Grant. “Watch me against New York. I’ll shoot it every time I get it” Sam Smith wrote.
The baby-faced Armstrong played as a backup point guard in his first three seasons in the NBA. In 1991, his sophomore season, Armstrong was an integral part of the bench, averaging 8.8 points and 3.7 assists per game. However, he felt that Jordan—who averaged 22 attempts per game that season—was just shooting too much.
He shared his frustrations with Grant, who concurred with his sentiments. Together, the two vowed not to share the ball with Jordan in their next game against the New York Knicks.
For all their talk about freezing Jordan out at the Garden, Armstrong and Grant were not able to do it. Instead, Jordan shot 30 times, scoring 34 points in a 101-91 victory over the Knicks. Armstrong and Grant had solid games, shooting 16 times and finishing with 19 points combined.
BJ Armstrong Says Derrick Rose Learned From Michael Jordan
According to former Bulls player B.J. Armstrong, a significant part of Derrick Rose’s development can be attributed to the influence of none other than Michael Jordan himself. Armstrong highlighted their constant communication during that time, with Rose picking Jordan’s brain to elevate his game.
Armstrong noted that Michael Jordan always sought a reason to be at his best, a lesson he had learned during his tenure in Chicago. Jordan’s relentless commitment to excellence served as a model for Rose.
The young star’s determination was evident as he approached each of the 82 games in a season with the mindset of winning every single one.
During that incredible season, Rose averaged 25.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game, captivating fans with his flashy and entertaining style of play. Although Rose’s career faced setbacks due to injuries, he remains a beloved figure in Bulls history.
In essence, Derrick Rose’s ability to learn from Michael Jordan, both in terms of work ethic and mental fortitude, played a pivotal role in his rise to becoming an MVP and one of the greatest players in Chicago Bulls history.
BJ Armstrong Names Tim Duncan As Michael Jordan’s Toughest Challenge
In the realm of NBA legends, the debate over who stands as the greatest player of all time often centers around Michael Jordan.
But according to former Chicago Bulls player B.J. Armstrong, if there’s one player who could have posed the most significant challenge to Jordan’s dominance, it would be the legendary San Antonio Spurs big man, Tim Duncan.
Armstrong, in an appearance on ESPN’s First Take, spoke highly of Duncan’s unique abilities and versatility. He noted that, like Jordan, Duncan possessed the ability to navigate the court effectively, finding spaces where opponents couldn’t defend against him.
Armstrong highlighted the fundamental and technical prowess of both players, making them stand out in their respective positions.
In the hypothetical scenario of a matchup between Jordan’s Bulls and Duncan’s Spurs during the Bulls’ dominant years, Armstrong believed that Tim Duncan would have been the player to give the most problems to Michael Jordan and his team.
While the exact outcome of such a matchup remains speculative, Armstrong’s perspective sheds light on Duncan’s impact on the game.
Tim Duncan is widely regarded as the greatest power forward in NBA history, known for his consistency, leadership, and fundamental excellence. Throughout his illustrious 19-year career with the Spurs, he led his team to five NBA championships, earning multiple NBA MVP and Finals MVP awards.
Although such hypothetical matchups are purely speculative, there’s no denying Tim Duncan’s standing as one of the all-time greats who could have posed a formidable challenge even to a player of Michael Jordan’s caliber.
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