Michael Jordan is widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, often referred to as the GOAT (Greatest of All Time). What truly sets him apart is the way he dominated his opponents, turning some of the best players and coaches in the NBA into his greatest victims. Today, we’ll break down the biggest victims MJ had throughout his illustrious career.

Craig Ehlo

First up on our list is Craig Ehlo. If there’s one player who’s forever linked with a single unforgettable moment in Jordan’s career, it’s Ehlo. As one of the leaders of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the late ’80s, Ehlo was often tasked with guarding MJ. While Ehlo was a solid defender, he just wasn’t good enough. Jordan averaged around 34 points per game against him. What really cements Ehlo’s place in history is, of course, “The Shot” in the 1989 playoffs. With time running out, Jordan sank the series-winning jumper right over Ehlo, breaking the hearts of Cavs fans and etching that moment into NBA lore forever.

Dan Majerle

Next, let’s talk about Dan Majerle. A three-time NBA All-Star and a key player for the Phoenix Suns during their run in the early ’90s, Majerle was known as “Thunder Dan” for his sharpshooting and respected defense. But when it came to facing Michael Jordan in the 1993 NBA Finals, all of that went out the window. The Suns fell to the Bulls in six games, and Majerle’s defense was no match for MJ. What makes this matchup even more interesting is that Michael had a little extra motivation. He knew that Bulls GM Jerry Krause was a big fan of Majerle. As MJ put it in “The Last Dance”: “Just because Krause liked him was enough for me. You think he’s a great player? Okay, fine. You think he’s a great defender? I’m going to show you he’s not.” And that’s exactly what he did.

Bryon Russell

Bryon Russell is another player whose name will forever be linked to one of MJ’s iconic moments. Russell had the misfortune of trash-talking Jordan during his rookie year, right when MJ was in the middle of his first retirement. Needless to say, it was a bad idea. Jordan never forgot that, and when they faced off in the 1998 NBA Finals, MJ made sure Russell paid for his words. The image of Jordan hitting the last shot over Russell in Game 6 to secure the Bulls’ sixth championship is one of the most famous moments in sports history. It’s safe to say that Russell will never live it down.

Clyde Drexler

Clyde Drexler, one of the most talented players of his generation, also fell victim to Jordan’s competitive fire. Drexler was a legitimate superstar, and MJ even acknowledged him as a threat. But when people started comparing Drexler to Jordan, that lit a fire under MJ like nothing else. In the 1992 NBA Finals, Drexler and the Portland Trail Blazers ran into the Bulls, and it was clear who the better player was. Jordan took that matchup personally, outplaying Drexler and leading the Bulls to another championship.

Jeff Van Gundy

Now, let’s shift gears to the only coach on this list: Jeff Van Gundy. Van Gundy made the mistake of publicly criticizing Jordan, claiming that MJ befriends opponents just to soften them up before destroying them on the court. Well, Jordan didn’t take too kindly to that. When his Bulls faced Van Gundy’s Knicks, Jordan made it his mission to torch New York and teach them a lesson. And that’s exactly what he did. Van Gundy’s comments only fueled Jordan’s fire and serve as a prime example of why you should never give MJ extra motivation.

John Starks

Speaking of the Knicks, let’s not forget about John Starks. Starks was a fierce competitor and a key player for those tough Knicks teams in the ’90s. He had his moments against Jordan, but MJ usually got the best of him. One of the most memorable encounters was the famous “Double Nickel” game, where Michael Jordan dropped 55 points at Madison Square Garden in 1995. Starks was one of the primary defenders that night, and despite his efforts, he was no match for MJ’s greatness.

Dikembe Mutombo

Next up is Dikembe Mutombo, the legendary shot-blocker known for his signature finger wag. Mutombo once challenged Jordan, saying MJ had never dunked on him. Well, Jordan made sure to rectify that later that season. Not only did he dunk on Mutombo, but he also gave him the famous finger wag right back. Lessons learned: never trash talk MJ.

Toni Kukoc

And finally, we have Toni Kukoc. Before Kukoc joined the Bulls, he was a rising star in Europe, and Bulls GM Jerry Krause couldn’t stop raving about him. This didn’t sit well with Jordan, especially since it came right after the Bulls’ first three-peat. During the 1992 Olympics, MJ and Scottie Pippen made it their mission to shut down Kukoc in their matchup against Croatia. They succeeded, completely overwhelming Kukoc and showing Krause that there was no comparison between this new prospect and their existing stars.

So there you have it—the biggest victims of Michael Jordan. These players and coaches learned the hard way what it meant to face off against the greatest of all time. MJ didn’t just beat his opponents; he dominated them, leaving a lasting impact on their careers and the history of the NBA. But who do you think suffered the most at the hands of MJ? Let us know in the comments below. And if you enjoyed this article, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more NBA content.