When Michael Jordan told Derek Harper there was nothing he could do to stop him

When MJ is on, there’s very little anyone can do to stop him.

Michael Jordan took pride in performing his best under the brightest lights on the biggest stage. During his Hall of Fame career, Jordan proved time and time again that he was the ultimate clutch player. In 1995, fresh off returning to the Chicago Bulls after an 18-month retirement, His Airness arrived in New York City to take on the Knicks in his first game back at Madison Square Garden.

Facing a tough, physical opponent that sported rugged defenders like Derek Harper, Jordan put on a show for the ages, scoring 55 points in a 113-111 victory. After the game, a humbled Harper admitted that there was nothing he could do to stop Jordan.

MJ is back in the Mecca

Jordan reserved some of his greatest performances for Madison Square Garden. However, this game on March 28, 1995, was extra special, and the Big Apple knew it.

"If you know how the people feel about basketball in New York City, you can only imagine how fired up the city was. There was a buzz like I have never felt in New York for the game," said Harper, who was playing in his second season for the Knicks at that time.

Jordan had recently returned to the Chicago Bulls after playing minor league baseball, and the entire sports world was hyped in anticipation of his return to the so-called "Mecca of Basketball." Jordan certainly did not disappoint as he scored 20 points in the first quarter and, by halftime, already had 35. He torched any Knick before him — from John Starks to Anthony Bonner.

Harper gave it a shot

With nothing going, Harper asked for a shot at guarding His Airness.

"What did I have to lose?" thought the cagey veteran.

And so, as Harper walked towards Jordan for his turn to guard him, Jordan gave him a little bit of advice.

"He told me, 'I'm hot now. There's nothing you can do,'" shared Harper.

The game was close despite Jordan scoring at will, but the Bulls eventually prevailed, thanks to Jordan finding Bill Wennington for a wide-open slam that put them up 113-111 with 3.1 seconds to go.

"We just didn't have an answer," said Harper. "When a game is on the line, there's something about greatness that comes to the forefront. And Michael Jordan is the greatest."