"They can't do s**t about it" - 10x All-Star reflects on witnessing Michael Jordan's brilliance firsthand

NBA: 1998 NBA Finals - Source: Imagn
Carmelo Anthony talks about witnessing Michael Jordan's game (Photo credits: IMAGN)

Even though he officially retired from playing professional basketball in 2003, fans and fellow athletes alike still talk about Michael Jordan with high regard. This was the case when 10-time NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony discussed the six-time champion on the Sept. 10 episode of his '7 PM In Brooklyn' podcast with The Kid Mero.

The podcast had a special guest, Kazeem Famuyide, who asked Melo if he had the chance to share the court with Jordan. Melo, who entered the league in Jordan's last season in 2003, shared what it was like seeing him play up close.

Specifically, Melo talked about seeing MJ still during his final years with the Washington Wizards.

"I just remember watching him like, as a basketball player, he looked so different," Melo said.

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He then shared that while he didn't see prime MJ who dominated the air with his athleticism, he still had moves that made the game look easy. Melo talked about his ability to get to his spots with his dribbling, his intelligence, and his elite finishing.

"I'm like d*mn," Melo added, MJ is just picking his spots and they can't do s*** about it. Like nobody can do s*** about it."

Michael Jordan retired from the NBA a second time after the Chicago Bulls won their sixth title in 1998. Just like his first retirement in 1993, this one wouldn't last as he was back in the NBA in 2001.

Jordan, at 38 years old, played for the Washington Wizards. It was his final NBA stint which lasted for two seasons (2001-'02 & '02-'03).

Despite being the oldest player on the team in his first season with the Wizards, he led them in scoring 22.9 points per game. In his final season, he was second only to Jerry Stackhouse (21.5 ppg) with an average of 20.0.

His averages for those two seasons are 21.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists. He played a total of 142 games, including all 82 in his final season. He also started in 120 of these contests. Additionally, he was named to the All-Star team in both years.


DeMar DeRozan shares how Michael Jordan's Wizards era inspired him

While his time with the Chicago Bulls was undoubtedly the best Michael Jordan era, his time with the Washington Wizards was also notable to several athletes. It wasn't just Carmelo Anthony who shared what it was like to see Jordan in the twilight of his career, but also Sacramento Kings swingman DeMar DeRozan.

In the Sept. 9 episode of 'Podcast P with Paul George,' DeRozan talked about how Michael Jordan's play with the Wizards inspired him.

Much like Melo, DeRozan mentioned that while Jordan was no longer as athletic compared to his peak years, he still hurt the defense with a plethora of other moves.

DeRozan mentioned Jordan's ability to create shots for himself in the perimeter through the use of his dribbling as well as his physicality which still allowed him to finish inside.

According to DeRozan, watching the former Bulls champion do these things when he was already 38 inspired him to learn the same moves.

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To DeMar DeRozan's credit, he was able to incorporate some of Michael Jordan's moves into his game. DeRozan is known as one of the best midrange scorers as well as one of the best finishers who gets to his spot off the dribble.

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Edited by Brad Taningco
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