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Michael Jordan revealed the only time he was 'frozen out' during a basketball game

Home> NBA

Published 08:00 20 Feb 2025 GMT

Michael Jordan revealed the only time he was 'frozen out' during a basketball game

It was the fewest shots he ever attempted in an NBA game.

Godwin Matthew

Godwin Matthew

Michael Jordan became arguably the biggest star in the NBA's history after being drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1984, but the legend has admitted he faced some adversity in his early days.

As a rookie, Jordan averaged 28.2 points per game, which is the sixth best for any player in their first season in the NBA.

His exploits that season helped him earn a starting spot in the Eastern Conference team alongside legends like Isiah Thomas and Larry Bird.

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However, during the six-time NBA champion's first All-Star appearance, he faced unexpected treatment from veteran players.

'The Jumpman' was allegedly frozen out of the game by his All-Star teammates as they failed to pass him the ball on several occasions.

In an episode of the 'Icons Club', Ringer's Jackie MacMullan pulled out an interesting tape where Jordan said what he felt on the infamous freeze out game.

He said: "I didn't really know, I was too immature at the time to even realise it was happening and then I just kept trying to become the best basketball player I could be, and then all the other stuff just kind of took a life of its own."

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Jordan scored seven points in 22 minutes while shooting 2-9 from the field.

While his stats don't suggest there was any problem with Jordan getting the ball, this was the fewest shots he ever attempted in an NBA game.

He added: "I always felt like I was alone, some internal poll where I went, and I had to work my way to the top, you know, so I had so much respect for those guys, someone intimidated, but yet, it was once I get on the basketball court, it was about.

"Okay, How did my talents compared with those guys?"

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His agent David Falk stated the other veterans were jealous of the brand Jordan had created just one year into his professional career.

Getty
Getty

Jordan went on to play in thirteen more All-Star appearances after his historic rookie season and scored below 10 points only once again.

He used his early career struggles as motivation as he went on to achieve great things in the NBA.

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Just few days after the freeze-out game, the Hall of Famer got his revenge on Thomas as he torched the Detroit Pistons by scoring 49 points - leading his side to a 139-126 win in overtime.

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls, NBA, Basketball

Godwin Matthew
Godwin Matthew

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