Stories of Michael Jordan from his playing days in the 90’s with the Chicago Bulls never get old. It feels like every now and then we get a new untold story about Jordan from a teammate, coach, or opponent. The latest one involves an opponent who had a calling to Jesus moment.
Former Phoenix Suns guard Kevin Johnson had his fair share of battles against Jordan in his career. Most notably in the 1993 NBA Finals when the Bulls and Suns matched up. Chicago was seeking their third-straight title and eventually got the first of two three-peats for the franchise led by the core of Jordan, Scottie Pippen and head coach Phil Jackson.
Recently, Johnson appeared on the Club 520 podcast and was asked about that 1993 Suns team that featured MVP Charles Barkley. The Suns went down 0-2 and Johnson was called upon to guard Jordan.
From there, he went straight to Jesus.
Kevin Johnson needed a prayer to guard Michael Jordan
© Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
While on the flight to Chicago, Johnson found out he was guarding Jordan in Game 3 from coach Paul Westphal.
“So, we are flying from Phoenix to Chicago. I fall asleep on the plane and then the head coach wakes me up, right? And he says, ‘Hey, I just want to let you know, man, Game 3 is going to be your game.’ So cool. You know, I believe that. I’m going to have to bounce back,” Johnson recalled on the Club 520 podcast.
“Man, I had this dream that you came and woke me up and told me, ‘You got Michael Jordan,’” he told his coach.
“You are,” Westphal replied.
After finding out he had to guard Jordan in Game 3, Johnson found the nearest church in Chicago. From there, all he could do is pray.
“I walk straight in that church. And I sat in front row. ‘Jesus, I don’t believe in you no more. There’s no way if you loved me and died on a cross and did all the things, you’d be having me guarding Michael Jordan,’” he said, laughing.
Kevin Johnson found success, sort of
The Suns did win Game 3 before Chicago took Game 4 in the Windy City. Phoenix was able to get Game 5 to go back out West before the Bulls closed out the series for good. Jordan finished with 44, 55 and 41 in Games 3-5, putting on an impressive showing.
But as Johnson noted, he had some success.
“He averaged 44 against Majerle. They like, ‘What’d he average against you?’” he said, pausing with a smile. “42. But I kept him under his average.”
The respect between the two is awesome and it’s clear that they enjoyed their battles together.
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