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Metta Sandiford-Artest Says That Washington Wizards Michael Jordan Was The Toughest Player He Ever Had To Guard

Metta Sandiford-Artest never shied away from guarding the opposing team’s best offensive option during his NBA career. He took pride in taking that responsibility and quickly made a good name for himself on the defensive end.

Artest faced a number of high-caliber offensive players all throughout, and a lot of them were even at the peak of their careers such as LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Kobe Bryant. However, Artest said that the one player whom he finds the toughest to guard was Michael Jordan.   

Jordan was already playing for the Washington Wizards by the time Artest entered the league in 1999-00 NBA season. He may have been at the tail end of his career by then, but the 10-time scoring champion was still a threat offensively to an extent that Artest had serious trouble figuring him out.

“I think Jordan was the toughest, man,” Metta said. “The first year (with Washington Wizards) was his Jordan, not his last year. The first two and a half seasons with the Wizards. So the first year was miss season. After the next year was the full season and then that last year was one thing he’s average like he was not joining. But that first year came back, he averaging 25.”