To put it simply, basketball icon Michael Jordan is widely regarded as one of the greatest ever to play the game. The man known as ‘His Airness’ captured six NBA championships, earned six NBA Finals MVP awards, and became the defining superstar of the legendary Chicago Bulls dynasty that ruled the league throughout the 1990s.
Today, ‘MJ’ remains connected to the Charlotte Hornets, despite selling the majority of his ownership stake in the organisation.
During his prime years, very few players were considered capable of challenging Jordan in a one-on-one setting. However, he once revealed four opponents he believed could truly compete with him — and possibly even come out on top.
Jordan was notoriously dominant in 1v1 situations and rarely tasted defeat in those battles. One memorable example resurfaced in 2013 when rookie Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, recently selected by the Hornets (then Bobcats), accepted a one-on-one challenge from the six-time champion. In the end, the 50-year-old franchise owner walked away victorious, leaving the young forward shocked.
As a matter of fact, Jordan has officially lost only once in a one-on-one matchup — and surprisingly, it wasn’t against another NBA player. In 2003, millionaire CEO John Rogers defeated Jordan during a basketball camp MJ hosted after stepping away from the NBA following his final stint with the Washington Wizards.
Rogers played college basketball at Princeton, although he appeared in only four official contests. At 45 years old, he was five years older than Jordan and considerably smaller in stature than the legendary guard. During the camp, Jordan challenged attendees to face him in a first-to-three-baskets contest.
Jordan appeared destined to win after jumping out to a 2-0 lead. But after missing his next attempt, the momentum shifted. Following several missed shots from both sides — and after mentioning discomfort in his knee — Rogers stunned everyone by driving to the basket and banking home the winning shot. Jordan reportedly reacted with an “oh no!” as the ball bounced off the glass and dropped through the hoop.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, though, there are four NBA players Jordan admitted he wouldn’t feel entirely comfortable facing in a one-on-one battle. Speaking to Jumpmanhistory, Jordan said:
“The hardest opponent for me to play against? In terms of 1-on-1? Small guys. Allen Iverson, Damon Stoudamire, Rod Strickland. Muggsy Bogues. Those little guys like that.”
Here is a closer look at the careers of the four players Jordan singled out.
Allen Iverson
Known as ‘The Answer,’ Iverson built an unforgettable NBA career, mainly with the Philadelphia 76ers. Drafted in 1996, he quickly became one of the league’s most electrifying stars thanks to his elite quickness and remarkable scoring talent. Despite standing only six feet tall, Iverson overcame the size disadvantage that often impacts guards and captured four scoring titles (1999, 2001, 2002, 2005), while averaging 26.7 points per game during his career. He was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 2016.
During the early stages of Iverson’s NBA journey, Jordan accurately predicted the superstar trajectory he would eventually follow.
“Iverson could beat me on the perimeter, but I could take him in the post. He’s a heck of a good player. He’s a young talent. He’s gonna continue to get better once he learns how to play the game on a much higher scale. Right now he’s doing a lot on physical ability. He’s good, he’s quick. That’s a challenge for me to go out to him and his stature. He’s so quick and small. But it’s a challenge. I won’t back away.”
Allen Iverson – NBA Career Stats
Games
914
Points
26.7
Assists
6.2
Rebounds
3.7
Field Goal %
42.5%
3-Point Field Goal %
31.3%
Damon Stoudamire
Although he stood just 5-foot-10, the player nicknamed ‘Mighty Mouse’ carved out an excellent 13-year NBA career. Selected by the Toronto Raptors in 1995, Stoudamire made an immediate impact by winning the 1995-96 Rookie of the Year award.
He also established a franchise record with 133 made three-pointers and helped guide Toronto to a memorable victory over Jordan’s 72-win Bulls squad in March 1996. Across his career, Stoudamire additionally suited up for the Portland Trail Blazers, Memphis Grizzlies, and San Antonio Spurs.
The ESPN analyst has delivered his take on the GOAT debate, and has left out some big names.
Rod Strickland
Regarded as one of the most skilled point guards of his generation, Strickland enjoyed a productive 17-year NBA career. He produced some of his finest basketball while representing the Portland Trail Blazers and the Washington Bullets/Wizards.
Known for his exceptional ball-handling and court vision, Strickland’s standout campaign came in 1997-98 with the Wizards, when he averaged 17.8 points and 10.5 assists per game. After retiring in 2005, he later became the head coach of the LIU Sharks.
Muggsy Bogues
Standing at 5-foot-3, Bogues remains the shortest player in NBA history. Drafted 12th overall by the Washington Bullets in 1987, he would go on to spend the majority of his career with the Charlotte Hornets.
One of the defining moments of his career came during the 1993-94 season when the point guard averaged 10.8 points and 10.1 assists per game. Respected for fearlessly competing against much taller opponents, Bogues combined blazing speed with high-level basketball intelligence to create a legacy that continues to be remembered today.
Rangers have been handed an avenue to complete a deal for Lewis Ferguson after it emerged that Bologna want to sign an Ibrox star, according to the Daily Record.
The Light Blues have had a busy summer window already after finishing third in the Scottish Premiership, with Derek McInnes replacing Danny Rohl as manager and all of Lawrence Shankland, Ben Godfrey, Ivor Pandur, Ross McCrorie, and Dan Neil arriving as part of the squad for next season.
But the club are still keen to make even more additions before the start of the new campaign, with Scotland star Ferguson understood to be a top target. Now, they’ve been made aware of a potential path to get a deal done.
Rangers Star Connor Barron Eyed by Bologna
According to the Daily Record, Serie A giants are aware of interest in Ferguson and have once again added Rangers star Connor Barron to their wishlist of summer transfers.
Barron, who has been described as ‘brilliant’, joined Rangers on a free transfer in 2024, and had been targeted by the Italian outfit then, but opted to move to Ibrox instead. Bologna also tried to sign him last summer, but their enquiry was rejected by club chiefs in Glasgow.
Now they are looking at trying to bring him in once again, and Rangers could be open to a sale if it means they can sign the Bologna captain Ferguson as a result.
England have been dealt a major blow just hours ahead of their World Cup Last 16 clash with Mexico after a player was ruled out with injury.
The Three Lions are undefeated at the tournament having claimed wins over Croatia, Panama, and then DR Congo, while they drew with Ghana, but will take on co-hosts Mexico at the legendary Azteca Stadium in the early hours of Monday morning.
Thomas Tuchel has already admitted his team face a major disadvantage playing away from home in the altitude at such short notice, but they have now been handed another issue to deal with in the build-up to the huge clash.
The Tottenham Hotspur star has started two of England’s four games, playing at left-back against Ghana before starting at right-back against DR Congo. But with Reece James still unavailable due to a hamstring injury picked up against Ghana, and Jarrel Quansah nursing an injury of his own, the team now face a huge dilemma at right-back.
According to Dorsett, Quansah has been passed fit to play and is likely to start at right-back for the game, although there is also a chance that Arsenal star Declan Rice gets the nod following his performance in the latter stages against DR Congo in that position.
Tuchel has previously ruled out Rice playing there from the start at Mexico, but he may be left without any option if Quansah’s fitness means he is unable to play too.
Tuchel’s full-back options when he selected his squad were an immediate talking point, with many fans and media questioning his decisions.
Tino Livramento was sent home before the tournament with an injury, while James had barely featured in the second half of the season due to fitness problems, but was selected anyway. At left-back, Nico O’Reilly is naturally a midfielder, while Spence is naturally a right-back.
Now he has very limited choices to pick from, and Ezri Konsa or Trevoh Chalobah are likely to be called upon at some point to play out of position should England be able to progress past Mexico into the quarter-finals.
Tottenham will likely shift their transfer focus onto their forward line now, having completed a number of deals at the back and in midfield already in this summer transfer window.
Spurs have completed five new signings this summer, with a sixth done bar official confirmation in a real statement of intent to the rest of the Premier League.
Having finished in 17th place in each of the last two seasons, new head coach Roberto De Zerbi has got to work in transforming the squad he inherited and Spurs are now bucking their trend when it comes to both transfer fees and wages.
Spurs to break club record twice in a week
via Reuters
The Lilywhites broke their club transfer record this week by completing the £85million signing of Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United. But that record will stand for only a matter of days. An agreement has been reached for the transfer of Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United and when that is confirmed he will become the club’s new record signing at £92.5million, increasing to £100million in add-ons.
Those two midfield signings followed the defensive additions of Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi, with Martin Dubravka also coming in as back-up goalkeeper.
Attacking changes are likely to be made, with question marks over the future of last season’s top scorer Richarlison and a number of players still missing through long-term injury.
Tottenham are one of a number of clubs interested in signing Bournemouth star Eli Junior Kroupi this summer after his breakout season in the Premier League.
The now 20-year-old broke the record for the most goals scored in a season by a teenager, beating the record which had been held by both Robbie Fowler and Robbie Keane.
Tottenham would face strong competition for his signature this summer, with a number of other Premier League clubs weighing up a move for the frontman, as well as Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain showing an interest.
football.london’s Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold delivered an update on his future on the Talking Tottenham podcast.
Tottenham interest in Junior Kroupi confirmed
AFC Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi celebratesvia Reuters
He said: “There’s interest, of course, but everyone’s interested, he’s one of the young stars of the Premier League, everyone wants him.
“This new version of Tottenham, they have certainly gone at deals this summer where there was opposition and they’ve come out of the other side.
“I’m hearing Bournemouth have got no intention of selling, but we’ll see if that’s tested as the summer goes on.
“I’m fascinated to see if Spurs are going after bigger targets, proper targets, not targets that might be good, but targets we know are already good, I’m fascinated to see how they approach that situation.
“You’re probably not taking on one or two clubs, you’re taking on half of Europe.”
