Even among legends, Dame says MJ’s presence hit different.
During his appearance on the Knuckleheads Podcast (Episode 190, released November 21, 2023), Damian Lillard shared a story that perfectly captures why, in his eyes, Michael Jordan remains untouchable.
At the NBA’s 75th Anniversary celebration, Lillard, already named one of the league’s all-time greats, was surrounded by fellow icons. But then Jordan showed up.
“We walk out of the room, we take the big picture, and when we get in the hallway, you see MJ walking towards us,” Lillard said.
“He wasn’t even in there for the big picture. He just got there. And there’s more cameras on just him by himself than it is on all of us. That’s when you really saw the difference. Like, ‘Man, this dude the GOAT.’”
“I Was Just Staring at Him… That’s Jordan”
Lillard revealed that despite sharing the stage, he never actually introduced himself to Jordan that night.
“I still ain’t never met him,” Dame admitted, laughing.
“I was standing next to Clyde [Drexler], and I was just staring at him. Cuz all the lights was on him, and it was just like—‘That’s Jordan.’ I’m looking at him like his arms hang, his hands. I’m just looking at him, like ‘Damn.’”
The entire time, Lillard said he said nothing.
“The whole time I ain’t say nothing. I just was looking like, ‘Damn.’”
A Top 75 Player Who Still Looks Up to the GOAT
Dame’s story resonated because it wasn’t about stats or rankings. It was about presence.
Even as a Top 75 player and a future Hall of Famer, Lillard made it clear that Michael Jordan still holds a separate status. Not just for what he did on the court, but for how the room changes when he walks in.
And while fans love to debate LeBron vs. Jordan, Dame’s moment serves as a reminder that for many players, there’s still only one GOAT.
“That’s when you really saw the difference,” Lillard said.
“That’s Jordan.”