Michael Jordan's formidable reputation was formed way before he made his NBA debut, as evident in a revealing episode shared by Mike Dunleavy Sr. Dunleavy Sr. recently revealed how a memorable first meeting with Michael Jordan left lasting impressions as a physical altercation between the two almost broke out.
Mike Dunleavy Sr. Recounts Fiery Meeting With Michael Jordan
The incident took place in 1984 during a practice session between USA's Olympic team and veteran NBA players. Dunleavy described how, as a 29-year-old guard, he nearly came to blows with a young Michael Jordan during a intense practice matchup against the USA Olympic team. The former guard recalled a heated back and forth with Michael Jordan during a 1984 practice session, where he attempted to snatch the ball from Jordan's hands, raising the tempers and almost escalating into a physical altercation.
It was a turnover, the ball gets thrown down to the left corner. And [Jordan’s] going from the left corner into the basket, the former Milwaukee Buck told Fan Duel TV. I’m at halfcourt, I’m just hustling, I’m just going after the play… All of a sudden [Jordan] goes up, and I’m going up, and I take a swing at the ball.
Mike Dunleavy Sr. remembered a distinctive move by Michael Jordan, where he would hold the ball in front of his face while airborne, before executing a circular motion to score.
When the ball was right in front of [MJ’s] face, that’s when I swung and that’s when he moved the ball. So I have my full hand going through his face and I try to catch him on the way down. Sharing how the future Bulls legend wanted to fight after the incident. He tried to fight after he got down,” the 70-year-old added. Jordan thought that Dunleavy had taken a cheap shot at him, so he wanted to retaliate. However, things would get better after the two met each other in the league.
The unusual encounter left a lasting impression on Mike Dunleavy Sr., who still recalls the incident vividly.
Unfortunately, you can’t see my phone because I have this great shot… it’s a centerfold of him with the USA Olympic team.