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Home > NBA News & Analysis > Michael Jordan Was Crowned The GOAT Of Basketball Before He Was A Rookie In The NBA

Michael Jordan Was Crowned The GOAT Of Basketball Before He Was A Rookie In The NBA

Michael Jordan was being called the GOAT by legendary coach Bobby Knight before he even played an NBA game.

Ishaan Bhattacharya
Aug 31, 2023
3 Min Read
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Credit: Fadeaway World

• Michael Jordan was being called the GOAT before he was a rookie

• Legendary coach Bobby Knight was amazed by the things rookie Jordan pulled off on the court 

• Knight openly admitted Jordan was the best basketball player he had ever seen before his NBA debut

Michael Jordan showed the world he will be the greatest of all time from day one. Legendary coach Bobby Knight was already calling the Bulls star the greatest basketball player he had ever seen before he made it into the NBA. 

“If I were going to pick the 3 or 4 best athletes I’ve ever seen play basketball, he’d be one of them. I think he’s the best athlete I’ve ever seen play basketball. If I were gonna pick 3-4 with the best ability I’d ever seen play the game, he’d be one of them. If I’m gonna pick the best competitor that I’ve ever seen play, he’d be one of them.

Here’s Bobby Knight explaining why Michael Jordan is the best basketball player he’s ever seen *before MJ had even played a single NBA game.*

pic.twitter.com/h8pW484UtX

— Super 70s Sports (@Super70sSports) July 25, 2020

Jordan mesmerized NBA fans around the country with his playstyle after being drafted in 1984. As we came towards the ’90s and Jordan reached his prime, he globalized the game and made the NBA the internationally popular league it is now. 

Bobby Knight said Michael Jordan was the best basketball player he ever saw before he played in the NBA. This is his rookie season. pic.twitter.com/VBdAPykodZ

— Super 70s Sports (@Super70sSports) August 30, 2023

His impact on and off the court means it’s nigh impossible for anyone to dethrone him from that spot. When Isiah Thomas can admit that his biggest rival changed the game for everyone who came after them, it is another testament to how great Jordan was.


Michael Jordan Was A Dominant Rookie

What Jordan did in his rookie season hasn’t been replicated by any NBA player since. He averaged 28.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists for the Bulls as a rookie in what many still consider the greatest rookie season of all time.  

Not only did Jordan easily win Rookie of the Year that season, but he also finished sixth in MVP voting. This was a historic feat because Jordan finished with more first-place votes than Magic Johnson, Moses Malone, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Isiah Thomas.

Rookie Jordan knew how to put up numbers, even having better stats as a rookie than some modern MVP seasons like LeBron James’ dominant 2012 MVP win. However, he hadn’t figured out the winning, as his Bulls finished 38-44 in his rookie season. We all know Jordan got the hang of winning by the ’90s and dominated the league in a way we may never see again. 

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TAGGED:Chicago Bulls ArchiveMichael Jordan
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ByIshaan Bhattacharya
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Ishaan Bhattacharya is a content manager for Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. With his expertise in NBA content creation, Ishaan brings a wealth of experience to his role, contributing to the site's authority and reach within the basketball community. Over the last year, Ishaan has interviewed Ray Allen and Mark Tatum, while also covering the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games which saw the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Since joining Fadeaway World in March 2022, Ishaan Bhattacharya has become known for his unique perspective on the NBA. He consistently delivers this insight through his daily news coverage and detailed opinion pieces on the most significant topics in the league.Before his tenure at Fadeaway World, Ishaan worked in corporate communications, where he serviced prominent sports brands, including NBA India, Sports18, Amazon Prime Sports, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This experience in strategic communications for leading sports entities has enhanced his ability to craft impactful narratives and connect with a global audience.A true MFFLer (Mavs Fan for Life, for the uninitiated), Ishaan is a massive fan of the Dallas Mavericks. When he is not upset about Jalen Brunson walking in free agency, you can see Ishaan as an avid gamer and content creator. His passion for basketball extends beyond the Mavericks, as evidenced by his thoughtfully curated NBA Mount Rushmore, featuring LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell—each representing distinct eras and bringing their unique qualities to the game.Featured On: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher Report, Yahoo Sports, NBA, Fox Sports, The Spun
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