“Sixty”: Byron Scott’s Legendary Michael Jordan Story

Byron Scott has told many tales from his NBA days, but few are as unforgettable — or as brutally funny — as the time Michael Jordan delivered a pregame warning that turned into prophecy.

The date was November 20, 1992. The Chicago Bulls were in town to face the Los Angeles Lakers. Scott, then a Laker, had a sprained ankle and couldn’t suit up that night. But that didn’t stop him from being part of one of Jordan’s coldest moments.

“I loved guarding Michael,” Scott recalled. “The key with him was: never talk trash. I’d compliment him after shots—‘Good shot, Mike.’ If you talk smack, that tongue comes out and then… it’s 60 easy.”

Before the game, Scott ran into MJ as the Bulls arrived at the arena. Jordan spotted him and walked over:

“B-Scott, I hear you’re not playing tonight?”
“Nah,” Scott replied. “Sprained my ankle.”
“So… who’s guarding me?”
“Anthony Peeler.”

Jordan paused, cracked a slight grin, and said just one word:

“Sixty.”

Scott laughed. Jordan didn’t.
Later that night, MJ torched the Lakers for 54 points, just shy of his prediction — but close enough to make his point crystal clear.

As the game ended, Jordan walked by the bench, looked Scott dead in the eyes, and said:

“Told you.”

Classic Jordan: ruthless, precise, and always ready to back up the talk.