Phil Handy worked with the Los Angeles Lakers as an assistant coach for years, working with both Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, but he can't deny Michael Jordan's greatness either. In an exclusive interview with reporter Landon Buford, Handy offered his perspective on the legacy of all three legends and emphasized the respect he has for Jordan. Of course, the Bulls are currently in a rebuild phase very far removed from Jordan's heyday, but his legacy still looms large in Chicago.
Michael Jordan's mark on the Bulls and the NBA is unmatched
Jordan's full list of accomplishments with the Bulls is too numerous to list. For many fans and players, he's still the greatest player to ever step foot on an NBA court. In recent years, he's often been pitted against LeBron James for that title. But Handy offers a neutral perspective that recognizes the importance of both.
"[Jordan, James and Bryant] all come from different eras, and they all represent different things in terms of how they play the game."Phil Handy
While on the Bulls, Michael Jordan was perhaps the most dominant individual scorer that the league has ever seen. His career scoring average of 30.1 points per game still stands as an NBA record. Handy emphasized his dominance and drive to win at all costs:
"My opinion MJ is the fiercest competitor to ever play."Phil Handy
That competitiveness led to a decade of dominance for Chicago and an undefeated 6-0 record in the Finals. Even when the Bulls were considered underdogs, Jordan was often able to single-handedly will them to wins over fierce opponents. His league-wide dominance hasn't quite been matched since then, especially as the depth of talent in the NBA has increased.
Kobe Bryant and LeBron James certainly have their own GOAT cases with their modern dominance and skilled arsenals. However, Jordan should continue to be part of the conversation for the time being. Even if you believe that someone else has been greater than him, MJ is definitely among the top players in league history.
In the years since Jordan retired, the Bulls have had more difficulty building a winner due to the lack of overwhelming talent. Derrick Rose winning MVP in 2011 offered hope of a new franchise savior for the Bulls, but unfortunately, injuries held him back. Now, the Bulls must resort to craftier methods for building their team in hopes of one day acquiring such top-end talent.
The Bulls likely won't get anyone with Jordan's talent anytime soon. But the legacy of his success can continue to inspire the team while also providing insight into team-building. Of course, the modern NBA is very different from the 90s when Jordan won 6 championships, but the importance of a strong overall roster and impactful role players persists.