Over the course of his career, NBA legend Michael Jordan won six NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls. MJ mesmerized fans around the world with his spectacular finishes around the ring. Be it a poster dunk or an acrobatic finish, he could do it all.

With his quickness, explosiveness, and ability to fly, MJ made it tough for his opponents. And it was during a time when the opponent team’s center would be waiting for anyone driving to the paint as a rim protector.

The defensive 3-second rule was implemented only during the 2001-02 season to improve the watchability of the game by giving offensive players a better chance at the ring. So throughout his career, Michael Jordan has always had to work around giant centers waiting in the paint. And one of the best rim protectors at the time was Dikembe Mutombo. The seven-foot-two-inch giant and Jordan had clashed multiple times.

The towering Dikembe Mutombo could make anyone look smaller beside him. And that has been proven yet again. Now, the giant was seen standing behind WWE superstar Brock Lesnar ahead of Summer Slam 2022.

Dikembe Mutombo’s clashes with Michael Jordan

Dikembe Mutombo is arguably one of the best defenders to ever play the game of basketball. He won the Defensive Player of the Year award four times in his career. He and Ben Wallace are the only two players to win the award four times. Furthermore, he made the All-Star Team eight times. His finger wag celebration is also one of the most iconic in the NBA.

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So when one of the best players ever come up against one of the best defensive players ever, things spice up pretty quick. And that was definitely the case when Jordan faced Mutombo. While a lot of players feared Jordan, that wasn’t the case with the Atlanta Hawks legend. The relatively younger center faced the Chicago Bulls legend head-on.

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Speaking about his encounters with Jordan, he said, “I made him mad. I told him, ‘Michael, you’re lucky to be able to dunk on many people, but you’re not going to get me.’ And Michael didn’t like that.”

Mutombo continued, “It took Michael seven years. This guy was one of the most dominant basketball players to ever the game, but he could not climb Mount Mutombo. You remember in Chicago when he got the chance to jam. He was so happy. He’s a great friend and I respect him so much.”

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However, their clashes have given fans some of the best moments in the NBA. Instances like when Michael Jordan once famously trash-talked Mutombo and made free throws with his eyes shut.

What did you think of Michael Jordan’s on-court battles with Dikembe Mutombo? Let us know in the comments below.