In 2016, the Cleveland Cavaliers were on the verge of losing back-to-back NBA Finals to the Golden State Warriors after the Dubs raced to a 2-0 series lead.
Before Game 3, former Bulls and Lakers head coach Phil Jackson was asked what the Cavs have to do to get back in the series. Jackson then referenced Michael Jordan’s performance in the 1993 NBA Eastern ConferenceFinals after the Bulls went down 0-2 to the New York Knicks.
According to Jackson, Jordan pulled the cape of Superman and became a man possessed after that. The Bulls won the next four games of the series. Phil said LeBron James had to do that.
“I mean, what does that actually mean?” said LeBron when reporters told him about what Jackson said. “I mean, I think for me to go out and be who I am and play as true to the game and as hard as I can and try to lead this team, that’s who I am. Not anybody else. I’m not Michael. I’m not Ali.”
“I’m not nobody else that’s done so many great things for sport. I am who I am, and if I’m able to go out and put together a game like that, it wasn’t because I was possessed. It’s because I worked on my craft all season long and that’s the result of it. Phil’s a great coach. Mike’s a great player. But I am who I am,” LBJ concluded.