Isiah Thomas, already a rising star with multiple All-Star and All-NBA selections, received a crucial warning before facing Michael Jordan for the first time in 1984. His former coach at Indiana Hoosiers, Bob Knight, told him, "This one a lil' different now," highlighting Jordan's unique talent. Knight's words came just weeks after Jordan was picked third overall by the Chicago Bulls in the 1984 NBA Draft.
The stage was set during an exhibition game in Los Angeles, where NBA stars clashed with the US Olympic Team. Knight's prediction began to materialize as Jordan showcased his potential by scoring 12 points on 54% shooting. Despite his 10 turnovers, Jordan's performance was a key factor in Team USA's 15-point victory against the NBA Stars, witnessed by a record-breaking crowd of 67,596 fans.
Michael Jordan continued to impress, leading the Olympic Team to win all eight exhibition games against various NBA lineups.
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