Before the release of The Last Dance, this highly anticipated documentary tells the story of the Bull Dynasty and Jordan, and the most basic question that runs through it is that these interviewed friends, former teammates, competitors, bosses and subordinates in sports are all asked: What is it like to meet Michael Jordan?
The answer varies from time to time. Think of it this way. When barack obama was a senator from Illinois or a sophomore at Morehouse College, how did he feel when he met the social activist Martin Luther King? Not before he becomes ... you know what I mean.
Today, Michael Jordan is a 57-year-old billionaire, the owner of Charlotte Hornets and many business groups, a member of the Hall of Fame, or the greatest basketball player of all time, and the founder of a sports shoe brand with a history of more than 30 years.
But for a while, he was only a freshman at the University of North Carolina, a rookie at the Chicago Bulls, an NBA MVP in the regular season and a champion of the O 'Brien Cup. And the guy who spent seven years in Mutombo's head.
Dikambe Mutombo, one of the most individual players in the NBA, is also an excellent defensive door. He can't accurately describe his first meeting with Jordan, but his answer is still very interesting.
"Michael and I are the same agent. The reason why we have the opportunity to know him is because his North Carolina beat Georgetown, where I went to college. When I first came to college, there was a story about NCAA legend. At that time, Jordan beat Georgetown in the final and became famous in World War I. Later, I went to the NBA, and every time I met him, I said,' You won't have a chance to dunk on my head'. I remember when he was a rookie, he staged a free throw with his eyes closed in front of me, and I also replied to him with this sentence. Of course, in the end, I didn't get what I wanted It took him about seven years to detain me once, so I always remember. "
Chris mullin, Jordan's teammate in the Dream Team, described the first time he met Jordan as a teenager.
"It was the national McDonald's dunk contest in Wichita, Kansas," Mullin said. "I remember all the players had an early morning practice time, but everyone seemed to be awake when they came to the arena. They are all sitting on the floor, listless. There was only one person running around like crazy, practicing their movements. Yes, it is Michael Jordan. "
David Falk, Jordan's agent in his career. He said Jordan's frankness made him forget the first meeting between them.
"Signing Jordan was just an accident, not what we planned. We have a lot of players from North Carolina. I remember a customer named Michael O 'Koren, who played for the New Jersey Nets. I need to help him go to North Carolina to do something. After that, I went to coach Smith's office to let him know that everything was handled. " Phileas Fogg said, "Just then, two freshmen came in. One is Lynwood Robinson, a name I have never heard of, and the other is a tall and thin freshman named Michael Jordan. Coach Smith looked at me and said, "David, this is Michael Jordan." . I remember this guy was thin, but his shoulders were wide. I don't remember the rest. "
"Strictly speaking, the first time we really met was in the spring of 1984. At that time, the company needed to recruit new customers in North Carolina, Duke, Georgetown, Indiana, Kansas and other schools. Michael and sam perkins (selected by Dallas Mavericks in the fourth round 1984) happen to be the best in North Carolina, so coach Smith invited us to see two of his disciples. In fact, it's not that Smith likes us, but that he knows that we can do better work for his players. "
"We had a meeting. Donald Dell and I (the owner of the brokerage company) told Michael about the work concept and brokerage arrangement. He didn't talk much, and the whole meeting was basically quietly listening. We put forward our views on future contracts, marketing strategies and other off-site affairs management. Because we also have many customers in North Carolina, he can get some information about us from his brothers or friends. To tell the truth, Michael is a clever player. When we first talked to Nike executives, he didn't talk much and kept giving me the right to operate. He just stood there and analyzed what people said. He has heard many promises from different people, but he is a very analytical person. "
Jordan's first teammate, B.J. Armstrong, who won three consecutive championships, first met Jordan when he was a summer camp consultant at Elmhirst College.
"sean elliott (1989 was selected by the Spurs in the third round) and I are both consultants of the summer camp, and Sean is my roommate." Armstrong said, "When all the children go to bed, we will play some games at night. I remember Michael coming one night. If there is anything special about him, it is dedication. In my opinion, his hard training in the offseason and the discipline and intensity he brought to the game are unparalleled. I clearly remember that after my unexpected quarrel with Michael, I said to Sean,' I want to be a professional player.' I mean, he is respected not only on the court, but also in the training hall. He is the best athlete I have ever seen. "
Will Perdue has been a teammate with Jordan for five seasons in Chicago. He met Jordan the day before his first training session.
"I remember being chosen by the bull and celebrating with my friends the next day." Perdo said, "I told everyone that I was going to play in the NBA, and then they asked me,' Do you know that you are going to play with Michael Jordan?" This sentence immediately pulled me out of joy, and I thought: Oh, no, I can't be happy too early, I need to go there to win his respect. "
"The first time I saw him was at the meeting the day before the start of the training camp. For me, this scene is a bit nervous and a bit humble. I have seen Michael on TV countless times, admired him, respected him and was surprised by his performance on the basketball court. Now I stand in the same arena with him, and I will try to win his respect. I think everyone will have the same idea as me,' I don't want to screw up the game because I don't want to make him angry.' He despises us novices very much. He said, "Nice to meet you. Welcome to our team." It's like he's telling me good luck in the future "
Doc rivers, who played for the Knicks, lost to the Bulls led by Jordan in the Eastern Conference Finals 1993, and they met in an exhibition game in high school.
"He is a senior, I am a senior. In that game, everyone was talking about Buzz Peterson (Jordan's teammate in North Carolina and now the assistant general manager of the Hornets). " Rivers said, "Buzz is my roommate. When I left, I said to him,' I don't know who Buzz Peterson is, but obviously Michael Jordan next to him is better. "Unfortunately, I was right."
Mark price, a former Cavaliers player, was one of Jordan's early competitors. The first time I met Jordan was in the game between Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of North Carolina.
"Actually, after that game, Michael and I participated in the Pan American Games in 1983." Price said, "I spent a long time with him that summer. He was obviously one of the best college players at that time, and his potential was obvious. Many people only see his achievements in basketball, but in my eyes, I see the other side of him, an ordinary college student Michael Jordan. You can fully see his competitiveness. He wants to be the best player on the court. He led us to victory in the Pan American Games, and he worked very hard in every game. "
"His competitiveness has always been outstanding. I think this has continued since he entered the NBA, and it may even develop to another level. He is just a college student like us. At that time he was a sophomore and I was a freshman. We are all young, and we all dream of entering the professional stage and becoming great people in the future. But before I succeeded, I saw a person with such a personality trying to achieve his goal. "
Rod Higgins was Jordan's early teammate in Chicago and one of his best friends. He met Jordan for the first time the day before 1984 training camp.
"The team needs a pre-season physical, including Michael, who has just arrived in Chicago from his home in Wilmington, North Carolina. Before going to the medical examination, he told us that he hired a limousine driver, but after the medical examination, the driver disappeared long ago, so he asked me if I could take him back to the hotel, so I sent him to the Hyatt Hotel in northern Chicago. "
"When he dropped him off, he said,' Hey, Rod, can you pick me up tomorrow?' We were going to train twice a day, and I passed this hotel from where I live to the training hall, and I replied,' OK, no problem.' Later, I basically became his full-time driver until he found a permanent residence and bought his own car. I remember when he first came to Chicago, he spoke with a southern accent. I laughed as soon as he opened his mouth. At that moment, we became friends. It's so interesting. On his first day of training, I immediately knew that he was the best player on the court. It was only the first day, the first practice, even the first second he walked in, that established his position on the court. You can see his competitiveness, his speed and all the skills. "
Glenn Rice, a former NBA player, faced Jordan 6-3 1 loss in his career (regular season+playoffs). He first met Jordan as a rookie in Miami hurricane rescue in 65,438+0990.
"I know he is great because he is giving back to society." Les said, "You have to admire him for his personality and charm. When you get to the basketball court, he will immediately become a killer who will devour you, but you will still respect him and everything inside and outside the court. Sometimes when playing against him, you must learn to control your emotions and regard yourself as his opponent, not a fan. But sometimes it's hard not to say something like, "Wow, this guy is really something." "
"He is such a person, doing things I have never seen before, but you still have to keep beating yourself,' Wait a minute, I should have confronted this person, so I have to get back to reality quickly.' I won't be ashamed to admit his greatness, and I will continue to say it until I can't say it. I think this man changed the game. He is definitely the best basketball player in my mind. You know he is a killer on the basketball court, but at the same time he is also very attractive in other ways. It's like he lured you to sleep and jumped on you. Once you are caught by him, you won't stop until you get what you want. There is really nothing you can do. "
Jerry Colangelo, the former head coach of Suns, lost to Jordan in the final. He is now the captain of the American national basketball team and a native of Chicago. He met Jordan for the first time in the NCAA championship, when he was a freshman.
"It was at the Super Dome Gymnasium in New Orleans," Colangelo said. "He is a skinny young man, but he did show his strength. I'm not sure if anyone can predict what kind of player he will become in the future, but I was surprised when I later observed his career achievements. "
"I remember playing against them in the finals of 1993. John paxson scored the winning goal in Game 6, helping the Bulls push us into the abyss with a big score of 4-2. When I walked to the dressing room, Michael came over and gave me a big hug. You know, this feeling is very special, so our relationship has improved since then. Once, a regular-season bull team visited Phoenix. Before the game, he invited me to play golf. I specially set up 36 holes for him, in order to consume his physical strength, so that he can play abnormally in the evening game. Sure enough, my strategy worked. Michael only played a good game, and finally we won the game. "
Tyronn lue, Jordan's teammate in the Wizards period, first met Jordan when he was recruited into the Wizards.
"I've seen him before, but the first time I really talked to him was when I was a free agent. I just won the championship with the Lakers that year. " Lu said, "When I returned to the league for the second time, he called me because he was still the small boss of the Wizards. He said,' Hey, we want to take you to Washington. Your defense against Iverson was very successful. We need someone who can really stop him. When I talk to him, I think,' Man, I can't believe I'm talking to Michael Jordan on the phone. "
"He didn't tell me that he would come back to play. When he gave me this contract, I thought, "Great, I will agree to this deal." In fact, I really wanted to go out of Los Angeles to play triangle tactics or more traditional basketball, so I went without hesitation. When I sat down to see him as a player, I heard that he would come back again. That summer, he has been preparing for his comeback. I'm in awe of playing with the best players ever. A person you have admired all your life, and now you really want to be a teammate with him. That's an incredible feeling. "
"When I played for the Wizards in the first year, I was always nervous on the court and always listened to all his arrangements. Even if I have an open shot, I will always look for him. I was only 22 years old at that time, and I have been dormant under his great aura. Now you see the same thing happening again, like Alex caruso and quinn cook versus lebron james, or Trancemann (No.2 of 2065438+09 Clippers 18) and Derek Wharton versus Cowie Leonard. You really can't see yourself. I just want to play with Jordan. Every time I get the ball, I'm not looking for my own shooting opportunity, nor am I looking for other teammates. It's like I only have eyes for him. This feeling is like a dream come true. "
"In the second year, my performance was much better and I started to attack on the court, but he always wanted me to be more aggressive when shooting. Just like my excellent state on the court, my relationship with Michael seems to be getting closer and closer. I can chat with him comfortably, go out for dinner and play with him. When I relaxed everything, I gradually got better. "