Former Kentucky Star Rex Chapman Recalls When Michael Jordan Toasted Him After Phil Jackson Motivational Speech
By Adam Weinrib
Former Kentucky Wildcat Rex Chapman was in for a rude awakening in December 1992, as Michael Jordan gave him an early Christmas gift.
Coming off a three-game "slump" of only averaging 23 points per game, MJ baptized the 1992-93 Washington Bullets with an absolute explosion, and the 1988 eighth overall pick was on the wrong side of history, thanks to a bit of nudging by Phil Jackson.
December 23, 1992 — MIchael was coming off 3 straight 23 pt games. A “slump” for him.
— Rex Chapman?? (@RexChapman) May 17, 2020
Phil gave him some fuel in the pregame — and he took it out on me & my Bullets.
MJ finished w 57 Pts, 6-8 from 3, 10 assists, 3 steals... and the win.?#TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/jIgoijSV7k
Even 27+ years later, it can't feel good to get pasted by the world champs and watch Jordan match the number of Heinz varieties from the floor.
Chapman has reinvented himself in recent years as a viral video sharer on Twitter, arguably becoming the GOAT in his own arena. But when MJ is concerned, he'll always be known as the hapless baller who had just joined the Bullets, and had to be wondering why he'd ever left the Western Conference in the first place.
Michael Jordan won Rookie of the Year 35 years ago today.
— ESPN (@espn) May 16, 2020
The legend of Jumpman was born ? pic.twitter.com/HZYAmKr3lg
Some players just have an extra gear. Chapman would've been thrilled to average Jordan's slumping totals, we assure you.