Michael Jordan is the biggest name in the history of basketball, it's that simple.

As a top-level sports performer there is a fine line between confidence and arrogance. It is a lesson that former NBA star Corey Benjamin learned before his twenty-first birthday.

Benjamin was in his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls, having had a great career in college basketball before being picked up by the Bulls, who had just won another NBA title.

Corey Benjamin trash talks Michael Jordan

Naturally he was on a high, however his self-belief bordered on cockiness. Benjamin was talking with the great Michael Jordan’s former teammate and friend Randy Brown.

Jordan had recently retired and was deliberately distancing himself from the Bulls to make the future easier for both parties.

Benjamin told Brown that he could beat Jordan easily if they played in a one-on-one game. Brown, naturally informed his teammates of this as well as Jordan himself. There would be a reaction from the great man.

Michael Jordan with coach Phil Jackson
I3 Jun 1997: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls stands on the court during game six of the NBA Final against the Utah Jazz at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Jazz 90-86.. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport

I3 Jun 1997: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls stands on the court during game six of the NBA Final against the Utah Jazz at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Jazz 90-86.. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport

Michael Jordan flies into practice to school Corey Benjamin

Not long after, in November 1999, Jordan stopped by practice in his training kit. He was ready to show that at 36 he was still a force to be reckoned with.

Jordan, hardly breaking sweat, didn’t take long to get on top and the 6-time NBA champion started to give Benjamin a taste of trash-talk by telling him what he was going to do next.

When Benjamin was attacking Jordan regained possession with the greatest of ease. He looked like a High School coach giving demonstrations to an under 13 squad.

Michael Jordan in action

Michael Jordan is arguably the greatest athlete in sports history.

According to Matthew Parris in The Sports Column, after the final shot Jordan sat his opponent down and told him: “Don’t call me out of retirement to do this again.”

Benjamin recently gave his perspective on the incident

"After practice, I'm walking off the court when MJ walks into the gym. He said, 'I'm about to give you your chance.' As a basketball player, it was the best feeling in the world to play one-on-one against Michael Jordan in front of everybody.

Video: Michael Jordan schools rookie who had trash-talked him

"The score was 11-9, just to let you know. Everybody says it was 11-0 or 11-1 or 11-2. He did get up to 7-0 pretty fast and I was amazed; I had never seen anything like that in my life. But the final score was 11-9 and it was the best one-on-one game I've ever played. It was like a dream come true."

However, other members of the Bulls’ squad saw things differently. Kornel David said: "MJ showed up and he just schooled him.”

Corey Benjamin's indifferent career

Benjamin was taken on in the first round of the 1998 draft, as part of a rebuilding programme for Chicago after Jordan’s retirement and after the loss of Scottie Pippen, Phil Jackson and other key players.

He lasted only three seasons and was out of the NBA by 2003, though he went on to have a decent career in France and China.

Jordan, who will turn 60 in February, still believes he can beat current players one-on-one, but said he doesn't play because he doesn't want to "demolish their confidence."