Michael Jordan had a work ethic that was passed down from generation to generation.
So says a former teammate of one of the greatest players in NBA history, Hubert Davis.
Like Jordan, Davis played for the North Carolina Tar Heels prior to his NBA career.
Davis was selected to the SEC All-SEC second team in 1992 and was selected by the New York Knicks with the 20th overall pick in the first round that year.
By this time, Jordan had become a recognized basketball legend.
Since entering the league with the Chicago Bulls in 1984, Jordan has won two NBA championships, been named MVP three times and been an All-Star in each of his eight seasons to date.
Hubert eventually faced Jordan in the playoffs during his rookie season, and his Knicks failed to defeat the eventual NBA champions.
Their paths would cross again for the remainder of Jordan’s career, and to say he left his mark on Davis would be an understatement.
“A lot of people ask me, ‘Who is the hardest player to guard ever?’ I always tell them it’s Michael,” Davis said during an appearance on MSG PM with Monica McNutt and Kazeem Famuyide, according to 247Sports.
“The three guys I faced in the NBA were the toughest guys to play against — one was Michael, two were Kobe Bryant, and the other was Allen Iverson.
“The reason is these guys, especially Michael — he’s the only guy I’ve ever played with who doesn’t take a break on both sides of the ball.
“I mean, he follows you on the defensive end. And then offensively, he never takes a break… Michael Jordan is the best player I’ve ever played against.”
While Davis and Jordan may not have played together for the Tar Heels, they did play together during the 2001 season.
Jordan has retired and served as president of basketball operations for the Washington Wizards for the first two seasons. He retired a second time in 2001 and played two more years.
Davis, meanwhile, is in the latter nine of a career that has seen him play for the Knicks, Dallas Mavericks and Toronto Raptors.
Their season together was Davis’ second and final season in Washington, but he seemed to enjoy every minute with Jordan.
“I’m extremely grateful that I had the opportunity to play with him for a year with the Washington Wizards and gain first-hand knowledge in practices and games – all the hard work and preparation he put in to become the best basketball player ever. ,” I explained.
“So it’s great to play against him and it’s even better to play with him on the Washington Wizards.”
Davis later moved to the Detroit Pistons and retired after the 2003 season with the New Jersey Nets.
Jordan went on to become an All-Star twice more and retired permanently after the 2002 season.