Michael Jordan had zero doubts when naming the best atmosphere during legendary career that 'always made him nervous'

NBA icon Michael Jordan did not hesitate when naming the best atmosphere he played in during his illustrious basketball career.

Jordan, 62, is arguably the greatest basketball player of all time and boasts six NBA titles – in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 1998 – from his time at the Chicago Bulls.

For much of his career at the Bulls, he graced the court at the United Centre – or more informally the ‘House that Jordan Built’ - which first opened in 1994.

And the arena was the site of what Jordan once described as one of the most difficult games of his career.

In 2002, Jordan played for the Washington Wizards at none other than the United Center as the side from the capital ran out 77-69 winners. But MJ did not have his finest evening and produced just 16 points while committing a career-high nine turnovers.

Speaking after the match, as relayed by CBS, Jordan said: "I have too many memories [at the United Center].

"It's important for me not to come back and try to live up to that situation because that's tough. I may have a good game, maybe the next time I come here.

Michael Jordan in 1997 (Credit:Getty)

"But to try to compare the two eras or the two situations, it's very, very tough."

He added: "When the crowd started [cheering ahead of the game] that whole thing, it made it tough for me to play.

"I had a tough time playing against Chicago. It's like playing a relative, in a sense. It's not as intense, you're not quite as motivated."

However, in 2024, the iconic arena was ranked just the eleventh best in the NBA by ESPN, with several other arenas such as the Golden State Warriors’ Chase Centre, Sacramento Kings’ Golden 1 Centre and Boston Celtics’ TD Garden, all coming ahead of the United Centre in the rankings.

But despite enjoying his best nights in Chicago, it was another arena that Jordan named as having the toughest atmosphere he played in despite him enjoying the challenge.

Michael Jordan in action for the Chicago Bulls (Credit:Getty)

The 62-year-old named the New York Knicks’ iconic arena, Madison Square Garden, as the place which made him more nervous than anywhere else.

In an interview, relayed by Essentially Sports, several years ago, Jordan said: “So, I was always nervous when I played in Madison Square… more so than any other building that I played in.”

In another interview with SLAM, relayed by Hoopswire, from 1997, Jordan explained: “Yeah, I love it… ’cause of the history, everybody knows about basketball in New York City.

“And this is where you come to see the best basketball played. That’s what Madison Square Garden’s always meant to me. And they’re very loyal to their fans, yet they’re very honourable about good basketball.

“Even if I go in there and have a big game, they’re gonna cheer my efforts, but still have loyalty and want to see their team win. And that’s New York fans.”