LOS ANGELES (AFP) – Michael Jordan praised the record-breaking exploits of James Harden and Russell Westbrook on Tuesday before mischievously remarking that both players’ achievements pale against his own.
NBA legend Jordan spoke to reporters in Charlotte ahead of the All-Star Break, less than 24 hours after Harden and Westbrook had both reached significant milestones.
Harden notched his 30th straight 30-point game in Houston’s defeat of the Dallas Mavericks on Monday, becoming only the second player after Wilt Chamberlain to achieve the feat.
Westbrook meanwhile became the first man to record 10 consecutive triple-doubles in Oklahoma City’s defeat of the Portland Trail Blazers.
Jordan on Tuesday said both achievements were worthy of accolades.
“They’re both hard,” Jordan said. “It shows the talent that we have in the league, and it shows progression in the league.”
“I am very proud of how both guys have done because they are making a mark for the league and I think it really helps grow the league.”
“Which is harder from a player’s standpoint? Six championships probably,” quipped Jordan, who won six NBA Finals titles with the Chicago Bulls between 1991 and 1998.
While Harden and Westbrook have piled up individual accolades in recent years, winning the 2018 and 2017 season MVP titles respectively, neither has managed to win an NBA championship with their teams.
NO TAMPERING
Meantime, the NBA said Tuesday it had found no evidence of tampering following an investigation into remarks involving Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons and Los Angeles Lakers president Magic Johnson.
The league announced on Monday it was probing reports of possible contact between Simmons and Johnson.
Simmons had reportedly requested talks with the Lakers president, who in turn talked enthusiastically about the Sixers star’s talent.
“I love his game. I love his vision. I love also, too, he’s very, in terms of basketball IQ, very high,” Johnson said of Simmons.
However the NBA said Tuesday Johnson’s comments did not constitute an offence of tampering.
“We have concluded that Magic Johnson’s statements regarding Ben Simmons do not constitute a tampering violation,” the league said.
“The Philadelphia 76ers initiated the contact with the Los Angeles Lakers by requesting a meeting between Johnson and Simmons.”
“Both organizations ultimately concluded that such a meeting did not make sense at this time but in that context, Johnson’s response to a media inquiry regarding Simmons does not run afoul of league rules.”
Johnson was fined $50,000 for tampering last year after comments made about Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
