All NBA players have their welcome to the league moment. However, for those who played in the 90s, their first meeting with Michael Jordan was also a critical juncture in their professional career.
Robert Horry, who entered the league in 1992, had a very unique first meeting with the MJ. Not only did Jordan speak to him, but the GOAT also implied that double standards exist in the NBA.
Traveling!
In 1992, Michael and the Chicago Bulls were on top of the world after winning back-to-back titles. This reputation transferred to special treatment on and off the court.
‘His Airness’ knew this for a fact, so when Horry’s rookie eyes glared after getting whistled for a traveling call, Jordan gave the young forward a quick lecture.
“I remember Mike made a move, and they called traveling,” Horry said, per The Athletic. “I came down and did the same move and they called traveling. He looked at me and says, ‘Young fella, if they call traveling on me, they definitely going to call travel on you.’ And I looked at him. It was during the game, so you don’t want to smile or laugh about it, so I just shook my head and said, ‘You’re right.’ He was just a competitor. Really nice guy though, really nice guy.”
Some people may claim it is unfair, but this is the reality in the NBA. There’s such a thing as superstar calls in the Association, and Jordan — the brightest among them — would often get the benefit of the doubt.
Not in Chicago
Former Seattle Supersonics player Detlef Schrempf was one of the players who witnessed the referee’s special treatment of Jordan. The Sonics battled with the Chicago Bulls multiple times, including the 1996 NBA Finals.
As soon as Schrempf knew they were about to play the Bulls, he had already tweaked his mindset. Detlef knew for certain that calls would favor MJ and his team.
“You always felt that you have a disadvantage. If there was a call, you always knew it was gonna go for Michael Jordan,” Schrempf told NBA Europe in 2021. “So I was like, ‘Hey, you know we’re not gonna get those calls, especially in Chicago, so you have to play well to win.’ And that’s just the way with, you know, everywhere.”
Schrempf summarized it very well. Role players in any era would have to live with superstar calls being real. Nothing will change unless a mass protest happens. Until then, players would have to grin, bear it, and play their best basketball.