Jason Kidd was nervous when playing against Michael Jordan

Fortunately for Kidd, MJ "took it easy" on him.

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Just like a shark can smell blood in the water, Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan was able to sense fear from a mile away. It was on November 21, 1995, that he could feel a little fear from then Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Kidd. After all, Kidd was only playing in his second year in the NBA and was about to go up against His Airness. Fortunately for young gun, Jordan took a liking to the Oakland-bred guard and told him he wouldn't embarrass him that night.

"I think my first time guarding him in Dallas, I was just a little nervous," Kidd shared. "I think he could see that so he came up to me and said, 'Look, don't worry about it kid, I like you. So I won't embarrass you tonight.'"

Incredible match-up

That game ended up becoming a classic. The Bulls pulled off a 108-102 win in overtime, with Jordan putting up 36 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks. Unfazed by the moment, Kidd also delivered a triple-double with 25 points, 15 rebounds, and 11 assists while also adding six steals.

Took it easy on Kidd

As if to prove that he was a man of his word, Jordan even backed off from embarrassing Kidd on one play. As Kidd shared, MJ posted him up on the block and quickly escaped with a spin move. But rather than ending the play with an emphatic slam dunk, Jordan took it easy and just flipped the ball up, before winking at Kidd.

"I was guarding him on the right box, and he did a spin move to the baseline. I said, 'Oh no, just don't dunk it. And then he jumped and kept going, and he went to the other side of the basket and did a little reverse layup. And I said, "Oh God. I'm glad he didn't dunk it.' And he looked back at me and winked at me and said, 'I told you I wasn't going to embarrass you.'"