Jeff Hornacek, Utah Jazz. (Photo by Vince Bucci/AFP via Getty Images)
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Remember that time Utah Jazz legend Jeff Hornacek stopped Michael Jordan? Neither do we.
For many former Utah Jazz players and their many fans, Michael Jordan is not on the Christmas list. While Jordan was arguably as great as they come as a player, Utah residents aren’t willing to have him over for brunch anytime soon. Losing to arguably the best non-big name player in NBA history in back-to-back finals will do that to fans.
Utah Jazz legend Jeff Hornacek, who probably still has nightmares about playing against Jordan, spoke personally about guarding Jordan. Hornacek spoke candidly on Fox News’ online show “Keeping Jordan” (via Basketball.com ) about the “tricks” needed to slow down Jordan.
As The Ringer’s John Gonzalez documented, the key to slowing down Jordan was:
- Let him shoot the jump shot.
- Don’t make him angry.
- Hope you have a great night.
Hornacek later went on to say;
His little push on him might knock him off balance a little bit, but not enough… He’d get in the post and hit a fadeaway jumper that became his truly unstoppable move. You’re not going to stop that shot.
Hornacek and Byron Russell combined to play a lot of minutes on Jordan, but despite this, neither man could really slow down Jordan. Considering Jordan averaged 44 percent from the field in two Finals games against the Jazz and nearly 33 points per game in 40-plus minutes, the Jazz struggled when trying to slow him down. question, which is not surprising.
It really pissed off salespeople who wanted to act like Jordan wasn’t that good (looking at you, Scottie Pippen) or that Jordan wasn’t the best non-big man in basketball history.