Former NBA star Antoine Walker recalled the intense summer scrimmages organized by Michael Jordan that featured many of the league’s best players. Walker noted that LeBron James, who was just 16 or 17 at the time, had to wait for hours before getting a chance to participate.
On an episode of Forgotten Seasons, Walker explained how competitive the environment was, saying, “I remember LeBron came up there, he couldn’t even get in… He couldn’t get in at first the first time. It was that thick.” James, eager to prove himself, found the competition fierce, as Walker described, “We had 30 pros.”
Walker also recalled the toughness required to compete with Jordan, mentioning a notable moment when Ron Artest was defending MJ, saying, “I’m watching MJ come back, Ron Artest guarding him like, cracked his ribs.” The aggressive style of play defined the atmosphere, and Walker made it clear that these scrimmages were no ordinary offseason workouts.
James has also reflected on that experience. He remembered waiting for a long time before getting his shot on the court. “They didn’t let me play like the first hour,” the four-time NBA champion said, acknowledging that he was “just sitting there waiting” for an opportunity.
His chance finally came after some of the veteran players began to tire, but even then, James didn’t expect to get much playing time. “To be honest, I didn’t even think I would even get the opportunity to play,” James said.
This story showcases the elite level of competition in those summer scrimmages and the toughness required to keep up with Jordan and other NBA greats. Walker’s account offers a rare glimpse into how difficult it was for young talents like James to break through in such a high-pressure environment, even in informal settings.
