Only a few athletes resonated with fans as profoundly as Michael Jordan. Yet, in the shadow of the iconic NBA figure, B.J. Armstrong emerged as a notable star in his own right.
The Chicago Bulls ' remarkable success in the '90s brought immense media attention not only to Jordan but also to his teammates, including Armstrong. However, it was during the 1993-94 season, when MJ took a brief hiatus, that B.J. elevated his career to new heights.
In Michael's absence, Armstrong experienced a significant surge in popularity as fans recognized his skill and charisma on the court. Admittedly, "The Kid" felt as if he filled Jordan's shoe that season.
"I can't really speak about popularity. It just happens," Armstrong said at the time. "I haven't changed what I do at all — people just see me where Michael used to be."
B.J.'s fame earned him an All-Star selection
The 1993-94 season was undoubtedly the pinnacle of Armstrong's and NBA career. That year, he averaged 14.8 points, 3.9 assists and 1.0 steals per game. By general NBA standards, B.J.'s numbers were commendable but not too impressive. Still, they were good enough for "The Kid" to earn his first and lone All-Star selection.
Phil Jackson suggested that the point guard's ascent to the ASG was more about the influence of fame rather than anything else. Intriguingly, the All-Star votes Armstrong garnered go to show that in the NBA, popularity can sometimes eclipse sheer athletic ability.
"B.J. is really popular," Jackson said before the '94 All-Star game. "I noticed in Seventeen magazine a couple of years ago, he played big. On the road, there’s a section of adoring young fans who are voters in All-Star games, so I know there’s appeal there."
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The real reason why the Bulls drafted B.J.
Armstrong joined the Bulls in 1989 and gradually established himself as a competent point guard. With his speed, agility, and innate ability to score, he became a fan-favorite in Chicago. Moreover, it was his activeness and durability that stood out the most, having missed only one game during his six-year run with the Bulls.
However, former Bulls general manager Jerry Krause once revealed the real reason why they decided to draft Armstrong. Though "The Kid" arguably reached the same level of popularity as Jordan at one point, Krause said they never viewed B.J. as MJ's potential successor or replacement. Instead, Krause envisioned him as the Bulls' next John Paxson .
That said, avid Jordan fans would understandably dismiss the notion that Armstrong was, for a time, as big as Mike in the NBA. However, it was B.J.'s right to express what he genuinely felt about himself.
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