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‘Pick on someone your own size’ – Michael Jordan’s iconic response to heckling Utah Jazz owner after dunking on 6ft 11in beast
Michael Jordan is not a man who needed any extra motivation. The NBA icon revealed on ‘The Last Dance’ that he used to invent insults from opponents to psych himself up for games then unleash beast mode. MJ won his sixth and final title in Salt Lake CityAFP - via Getty So heckling the Chicago Bulls superstar was only going to end up one way. During a game against the Utah Jazz in 1987, His Airness dunked on Hall of Famer John Stockton. Owner Larry H. Miller was not impressed at MJ dominating a 6ft guard and let him know about it, telling him to ‘pick on someone your own size.’ Jordan, who won back-to-back Slam Dunk contests in 1987 and 1988, proved that revenge is a dish served cold — and quickly. On the very next possession, he took flight and slammed down an emphatic dunk over 6ft 11in center Melvin Turpin. “Was he big enough?” Jordan asked Miller as he ran back down the court shrugging. By the end of the game, the six-time the 6ft 6in NBA champion had 47 points from 17-of-27 shooting. His nine assists, four rebounds, three steals, and three blocks inspired a road victory. It’s safe to say Jordan took Miller’s jibe personally. The 14-time All-Star saved some of his best moments for games against the Jazz, including his famous jumpshot from behind the free throw line with 5.2 seconds remaining in Game Six of the 1998 NBA Finals — clinching his sixth and final title. GettyMiller would probably have won an NBA Finals were it not for MJ[/caption] NBAHe learned the hard way not to rile up the Bulls icon[/caption] When Stockton gave his Hall of Fame speech, he poked fun at the play and drew a laugh from the crowd, which included MJ. “Jordan makes one big shot and everybody thinks he’s kind of cool. I don’t get it,” Stockton said. “I had to be the only draftee who was still living at home with his parents.” In his own Hall of Fame speech, Jordan took aim at a number of his doubters — including former Jazz forward Bryon Russell, who he beat with a crossover before his iconic shot in 1998. “When I first met Bryon Russell, I was working out for baseball and they (the Jazz) came down for a workout and I came over to say hello to John (Stockton) and Karl (Malone),” he said. “And Bryon Russell came over to me and said, ‘You know what man, why’d you quit? You know I could guard you. If I ever see you in a pair of shorts.’ “So when I did decide to come back and we played Utah, I’m at the center circle and Bryon Russell is standing next to me and I look over and say, ‘You remember this conversation you made in 1994 about how you said you could guard me?’ Well, you about to get your chance.” Miller passed away in 2009 and received a glowing tribute from former NBA commissioner David Stern. “It is with great sadness that I offer condolences to Gail and the Miller family on behalf of the entire NBA family,” he said. “Larry’s legacy extends beyond the NBA as he touched many lives in the Salt Lake City region through his business ventures and charitable endeavors. “The NBA lost a great leader, colleague and friend today. We will miss him.” The Miller family sold the Jazz and Vivint Arena to Ryan Smith for $1.66 billion in October 2020.
Michael Jordan is not a man who needed any extra motivation.
The NBA icon revealed on ‘The Last Dance’ that he used to invent insults from opponents to psych himself up for games then unleash beast mode.
So heckling the Chicago Bulls superstar was only going to end up one way.
During a game against the Utah Jazz in 1987, His Airness dunked on Hall of Famer John Stockton.
Owner Larry H. Miller was not impressed at MJ dominating a 6ft guard and let him know about it, telling him to ‘pick on someone your own size.’
Jordan, who won back-to-back Slam Dunk contests in 1987 and 1988, proved that revenge is a dish served cold — and quickly.
On the very next possession, he took flight and slammed down an emphatic dunk over 6ft 11in center Melvin Turpin.
“Was he big enough?” Jordan asked Miller as he ran back down the court shrugging.
By the end of the game, the six-time the 6ft 6in NBA champion had 47 points from 17-of-27 shooting.
His nine assists, four rebounds, three steals, and three blocks inspired a road victory.
It’s safe to say Jordan took Miller’s jibe personally.
The 14-time All-Star saved some of his best moments for games against the Jazz, including his famous jumpshot from behind the free throw line with 5.2 seconds remaining in Game Six of the 1998 NBA Finals — clinching his sixth and final title.
When Stockton gave his Hall of Fame speech, he poked fun at the play and drew a laugh from the crowd, which included MJ.
“Jordan makes one big shot and everybody thinks he’s kind of cool. I don’t get it,” Stockton said.
“I had to be the only draftee who was still living at home with his parents.”
In his own Hall of Fame speech, Jordan took aim at a number of his doubters — including former Jazz forward Bryon Russell, who he beat with a crossover before his iconic shot in 1998.
“When I first met Bryon Russell, I was working out for baseball and they (the Jazz) came down for a workout and I came over to say hello to John (Stockton) and Karl (Malone),” he said.
“And Bryon Russell came over to me and said, ‘You know what man, why’d you quit? You know I could guard you. If I ever see you in a pair of shorts.’
“So when I did decide to come back and we played Utah, I’m at the center circle and Bryon Russell is standing next to me and I look over and say, ‘You remember this conversation you made in 1994 about how you said you could guard me?’ Well, you about to get your chance.”
Miller passed away in 2009 and received a glowing tribute from former NBA commissioner David Stern.
“It is with great sadness that I offer condolences to Gail and the Miller family on behalf of the entire NBA family,” he said.
“Larry’s legacy extends beyond the NBA as he touched many lives in the Salt Lake City region through his business ventures and charitable endeavors.
“The NBA lost a great leader, colleague and friend today. We will miss him.”
The Miller family sold the Jazz and Vivint Arena to Ryan Smith for $1.66 billion in October 2020.
