Former Los Angeles Laker Tracy Murray still vividly remembers the legendary pickup runs inside the “Jordan Dome” during the filming of Space Jam, and one battle between Michael Jordan and Reggie Miller stands above the rest.
“The most intense game that I remember was when Reggie and Mike were playing and you know those two…they got after it,” Murray told Scoop B Radio. “They have a little history with each other, so even pickup games are just like NBA Playoff games with those two, and the most trash-talking, physical, in-your-face pickup game I’ve ever seen between two people.”
He added, “It was a joy to watch to be honest with you to see two great players, two Hall of Famers have that much pride in a pickup game not wanting to lose. I mean the level of trash-talk was DISRESPECTFUL on both ends but to see, but to see that you know, nobody’s getting paid for this…this is love, this is pride, this is respect. And to see that level during the summer was incredible.”
The Jordan Dome, built for MJ while filming in 1995, was a private basketball haven that drew NBA stars and celebrities nightly.
Murray says “the best pickup games ever” were played in that dome.
“The pickup games were the best pickup games EVER!,” he said. “Best pickup games I’ve ever played in my life! And if I didn’t improve as a player that summer then, I deserve no spot in the NBA. That’s how intense it was, that’s how many top players in the league were there – it was like an NBA All-Star game in there EVERY day. I mean it was that type of talent.”
Games were played to just seven points, creating a high-stakes atmosphere.
Murray highlighted the true positional play in these games, which is rare for pickup.
“Everybody was playing their natural positions,” Murray said. “You didn’t see 4s playing 5s or anything like that; you look at the 5 spot you got Shaq, ‘Zo, Mutombo, Ewing. … You know at the power forwards you having Chuck and Rodman and Oakley – Larry Johnson…some of the top power forwards. …Tim Hardaway guys like that coming through. 2-guards of course you have Michael, Reggie…every top 2-guard in the league coming in there. You had Scottie and Grant Hill – Grant Hill in his prime! You know people forget about Grant Hill. Grant Hill in his prime was a MONSTER. Glen Rice, Steve Smith – I mean it was for real up in there.”
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