In a recent appearance on the ‘7PM In Brooklyn’ podcast, Dwyane Wade looked back on the NBA’s Top 75 Ceremony. In reflection, the 3x champion revealed how Michael Jordan’s arrival completely stole the show, even amongst a room full of legends.
“I didn’t even know how that moment was gonna hit, even when we got named to the team,” said Wade to Carmelo Anthony. “But the moment we walked in the room and you actually saw Kareem, Jerry West, and Magic you’re like ‘Oh I’m on this team.’ The sh*t talking in the room was crazy but the moment was when MJ came in that m********er. Let me tell you something, when he walked through everything changed. When MJ came in it was silence. That clip with him and Magic that went viral, that was right away. I was just sitting there and I’m like ‘I’m listening to Jordan and Magic talk sh*t.’ And they serious!”
The NBA’s Top 75 ceremony was named to celebrate the league’s 75th anniversary during the 2021-22 campaign. Both Wade and Carmelo Anthony were named to the team and joined legends like LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Stephen Curry.
Out of all the stars, though, Michael Jordan stood out above the rest. The Bulls legend became an icon for the game of basketball after winning six championships, five MVPs, 10 scoring titles, and 14 All-Star selections. Over his career, he averaged 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game on 49.7% shooting.
Jordan’s run completely took over the NBA and he was among the most powerful and influential people on the planet during the 1990s. With his successes in the world of basketball business, and culture, Jordan transcended to a level of stardom that even the best of the best usually never achieve.
Even today, 20+ years after his refinement, Jordan walks with a certain aura that mesmerizes even the most accomplished NBA stars. So when he showed up fashionably late to the Top 75 ceremony, it was no surprise that he completely stole the show.
One moment between him and Magic Johnson went viral in which they were caught trash-talking each other in a hilarious back-and-forth. It ended with the two NBA superstars challenging each other to a pickup game.
Michael’s fame has reached legendary status now and as the greatest player ever in so many people’s minds (including many players), his career is one that will never be forgotten. The only question now is whether anybody can match it.
As a 20-year veteran and 4x champion, LeBron James is about as close as anyone has gotten. He has achieved worldwide fame and recognition and often leaves many of today’s younger players in awe, just like Jordan always did.
Through his projects with Spring Hill group, Uninterrupted, and others, James is growing and expanding his empire beyond the world of basketball and he’s already made vast connections in various other industries.
Of course, winning another championship will certainly help LeBron match Jordan’s level of notoriety and that’s why his primary aim is to win as much as possible before the end of his career. By most metrics, he still has a ways to go before he can match Jordan but no matter what he does at this point, it may still not be enough to match the same kind of feelings that Michael Jordan so often invokes on those around him.