80s Michael Jordan vs 80s Ron Harper – The First Jordan Inspired Rival

Michael Jordan vs Ron Harper was a great rivalry in the NBA back during the late 80’s. This was pre-ACL injury (happened in 1990) Ron Harper. This was young Ron Harper.

When the Bulls played against Ron Harper the story of the game would become Ron Harper’s admiration for Michael Jordan’s game. Many of you may remember this is exactly how Kobe Bryant eventually was introduced to basketball fans, when he entered the NBA.

There were a number of players from Ron Harper to Grant Hill to Kobe Bryant all the way up to LeBron James who were brought in to the NBA, with Michael Jordan comparisons as part of their introduction story. Each guy shared stories of their Michael Jordan inspired journey, as part of their introduction.

So, if any of you ever wondered to yourself… “I wonder when those started”, well on an NBA level, it really was Ron Harper. Yes folks this was taking place all the way back in 1987. This is where it really started. With Ron Harper. The beginning of Michael Jordan’s influence & impact on the sport itself, through inspiration. This inspiration would also eventually birth the “Be Like Mike” commercials.

(1986-87 Season)

TIMESTAMPS:
0:20 – Red Auerbach reacts to a Michael Jordan jumper
0:46 – Hot Rod Williams jumper
0:54 – Michael Jordan jumper
1:22 – John Bagley jumper
3:47 – Ron Harper transition post bucket
3:58 – Michael Jordan tough fadeaway jumper
4:24 – Ron Harper reverse dunk
5:25 – Mark West post up
6:05 – Mark West facial dunk on Earl Cureton
6:15 – Mel Turpin fadeaway jumper
6:41 – Mel Turpin outside jumper
7:07 – Mark Price transition layup and 1
8:00 – Mel Turpin pull up jumper
8:18 – Mel Turpin jumper
9:40 – Ron Harper driving layup
10:57 – Michael Jordan hang time layup
11:20 – Mark West driving dunk
11:29 – Ron Harper steal & driving layup
11:42 – Brad Daugherty transition dunk
12:51 – John Bagley jumper
12:56 – Ron Harper jumper
14:51 – Air Jordan commercial
16:40 – Red Auerbach talks about Michael Jordan’s hands
17:34 – Phil Hubbard driving layup
17:45 – Michael Jordan jumper
18:35 – Michael Jordan post up dunk
19:54 – Ron Harper post up
20:12 – Michael Jordan rainbow jumper
20:44 – Michael Jordan fadeaway, and 1
21:55 – Michael Jordan hang time jumper
22:07 – John Bagley driving layup
22:14 – John Bagley jumper
22:20 – Hot Rod Williams jumper
22:40 – Ron Harper jumper
22:44 – Brad Daugherty post up
22:50 – Brad Daugherty dunk
22:38 – Ron Harper driving layup
23:45 – John Bagley jumper
24:21 – Johnny Newman jumper
24:30 – John Bagley jumper
25:21 – Ron Harper post up
25:37 – Michael Jordan transition layup
27:22 – Michael Jordan clutch layup
27:39 – Phil Hubbard clutch floater
28:48 – Michael Jordan jumper