Landon Buford
If you picked up your copy of NBA 2K23, you know there’s a section called the Jordan Challenges, which allows you to play some of the greatest moments in Michael Jordan’s career. His first challenge brings us back to the 1982 National Championship between North Carolina and Georgetown.
The matchup featured Patrick Ewing against Michael Jordan, Sam Perkins, and James Worthy. Before you can play the game, Jordan’s ex-teammate Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith is talking about Jordan not being asked to come in and be the savior of North Carolina.
” He’s not being asked to be the savior to North Carolina. North Carolina was already the number one team in the nation. So, all of a sudden, he comes into this talented team where he can develop and learn his skill and learn his craft, and I think that was the best thing for him. The game between North Carolina and Georgetown is so important because three top 75 players are playing in this game. Patrick Ewing was probably the premiere player in college basketball, along with James Worthy, and now you are adding Michael Jordan to the mix,” said Smith.
“Michael became a vocal point within the side of the game that I don’t know if Georgetown was aware of or was ready for. I think Michael Jordan hitting that game-winning shot propelled him into a great stratosphere of confidence this, where he honed his skills to become the greatest basketball player that we have ever seen.”
As Smith shared, Michael Jordan would go on to hit the game-winner against Georgetown, and the legend of Michael Jordan was born.
