The 1992 NBA finals Game 1, popularly known as the ‘Shrug Game’, has an interesting backstory. Portland Trail Blazers were up against the defending champions, Chicago Bulls. Prior to the finals, media and analysts drew comparisons between Clyde Drexler and Michael Jordan. But the latter proved his worth in the very first game.
Clyde Drexler, Trail Blazers shooting guard, was right behind Michael in the MVP race that season. Chicago Bulls was desperately trying to maintain their newfound respect in 1992.
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It was clear how Michael disliked him being placed next to Clyde in terms of his game. And he’s Michael Jordan. He possesses that competitive spirit from the beginning. He wanted any basis of comparison to vanish between him and Clyde.
In order to show his worth, Michael played an exuberant game at the start of the series itself. The ‘Shrug Game’ is still known for the finals record-breaking bonanza that the legend displayed.
Against Clyde ‘The Glide’ Blazers, Jordan hit six three-pointers in a row to make an NBA finals record. Moreover, he had 35 points in the first half of the game itself. Michael was on a roll. And the reaction that followed his spilling 3s was just a simple shrug on his end.
“Nothing less than destroy” Michael Jordan beat Clyde far more exotically than expected
David Halberstam mentioned in his book, ‘Playing for Keeps: Michael Jordan and the World He Made’ about the fiery 1992 finals game. “He (Michael) set out to do nothing less than destroy, not just Portland, but Drexler as well.”
Clyde’s teammate, Danny Ainge, also talked about this after the game. David added that to his book. “If it was not personal, it most certainly looked that way. Jordan barely let Drexler touch the ball on offense. Ainge sensed that it was as if Jordan had taken all those newspaper articles and television stories about Drexler as nothing less than a personal insult. It was like watching a killer on the court.”
Chicago Bulls won that game on a high with a 122-89 score at the end of the game. Jordan said in the post-match interview, “Shots started dropping from everywhere.” Jordan definitely took it personally and he himself has accepted that. He badly wanted to excel more than Clyde and show the viewers that nobody is greater than him.
The two were part of the ‘Dream Team’ together in the upcoming Olympics.
“Jordan did not pass up the opportunity to talk some trash as he brought the ball upcourt. ‘Didn’t I just kick your ass?… Anything here look just a little familiar?… Think you can stop me this time, Clyde?… Better watch out for the threes, Clyde.'” David Halberstam wrote in his book.
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