"I wanted people to know the difference between me and Clyde" - Michael Jordan took Clyde Drexler comparisons in the 1992 Finals as extra motivation

The 1992 NBA Finals was Michael Jordan His second championship rodeo was approaching. Similar to the previous year, he had crafted a unique drive to claim the Larry O'Brien trophy once again.

One season earlier, Michael fulfilled his wish to win his first NBA title with Magic Johnson and Larry Bird still in the NBA and it was extra special because he did it against Magic and his Los Angeles Lakers. This time around, the Chicago Bulls faced the Portland Trail Blazers, who were led by Clyde Drexler .

Jordan and Drexler were the best two guards in the NBA during that time. With both players having a flair for high-flying dunks and acrobatic shots, they were compared to each other., and MJ said he did not like it.

"I wanted the people to know the difference between me and Clyde," Michael said . "It was always a comparison and I didn't want it to be a comparison. I wanted to be totally different. I wanted people to see that on the highest stage."

MJ opened the series with the Shrug Game

Jordan wasted no time in proving his point. In Game 1 of the 1992 NBA Finals, Jordan scored 39 points on 16-27 field goal shooting, including 6-10 from 3-point distance. Mike also added 11 assists, three rebounds, two steals and only committed one turnover in 34 minutes of playing time in a blowout 122-89 win.

In the first half, MJ scored a then-NBA Finals record 35 points. That included another Finals record with six three-pointers made. The latter was impressive because Mike was a mere 27 percent three-point shooter that season. That's the reason why after making the sixth triple, he looked to old nemesis Magic Johnson who was courtside and gave him the iconic shrug.

All I could do was that, Jordan explained, one of the most iconic reactions in NBA Finals history. "I mean when I said that, as 'Look, I'm not in control here,'" added Jordan. "It's like somebody's in my body that I'm making shots all over the place. So, what else can you do?"

The Bulls won the championship series 4-2, with Jordan winning a second consecutive Finals MVP award. He averaged 35.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. He totally outplayed Drexler, who put up 24.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.3 steals per contest.

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Mike wanted to go over to Clyde after Game 6

Even though that championship win put an end to the comparisons between him and Drexler, Jordan continued to hold great admiration for his opponent. Following the decisive Game 6 of the series, Mike even wished to visit Clyde to pay his respects. , but he got swept up in the on-court celebration.

No, I didn't have the opportunity to speak with Drexler. I was too thrilled, Jordan said While rejoicing with his fellow players inside the Bulls' locker room. I'll walk over and greet them, saying, 'Thanks, it was an excellent contest, bad luck for you both, but one team had to come out on top. I’m relieved it wasn’t us who lost.'

Michael was understating things. Actually, he was displeased that they didn’t beat the Blazers. He ensured the Bulls secured the victory in the series and made certain everyone understood that Clyde couldn't compare to him. This point was conveyed very clearly.

Related: "Despite being behind 3-0, I will still drive hard against them," — When Kemp refused to allow the Sonics to surrender in the 1996 Finals.