Michael Jordan will forever be looked at as one of the greatest players to ever step onto the court. For many, the conversation for GOAT starts and ends with him, including many NBA players. They saw Jordan dominate first-hand and have stories of his killer mentality to share.
Lakers guard Byron Scott spent 10 seasons with the team and won 3 championships in his time. He had plenty of matches against Michael Jordan in that time, even though they would play each other just twice a season.
In his 10th year with the Lakers, Scott missed the game against the Bulls at home due to a knee injury. He told the story of what MJ did to rookie Anthony Peeler that game, who had to guard MJ in Scott’s absence.
“We played against MJ in the Forum. It was my last year with the Lakers and we had drafted a guy, Anthony Peeler, from Missouri. I hurt my ankle and the trainer said I don’t think you’ll be able to play tonight. Chicago’s bus is coming down the Forum and I’m walking out. MJ gets off, and he was like ‘B Scott, what’s up? I heard you ain’t playing tonight. If you don’t play, who gonna guard me?’ I said Anthony Peeler. He said ‘the rookie? 50.’ No hesitation.”
“Every time MJ scored, he looked at me on the bench. 54. 54. And he missed a breakaway dunk. He told me 50 but got 54, that’s how bad that boy was.”
Jordan was an absolute beast on the court, and stories like that just prove it. To make a bet to drop 50 points and supersede that is incredible, but that is exactly what MJ was as a player. Incredible in every way of the word.
Peeler was a player in the wrong era, as he was primarily a three-and-D wing with tremendous athleticism. He had a 13-year NBA career as a journeyman through the league. The memory of having MJ drop 54 on you is a rare one, but Peeler probably remembers it like it was yesterday.
