Any conversation about the all-time best Chicago Bulls basketball player has to include Michael Jordan.
In fact, his name is rarely, if ever, left out of any tête-à-tête between fans, sports writers and anybody who knows anything about the National Basketball Association’s 77-year history.
And in that more than seven decade run, there is no question in my mind that Michael Jordan is the Greatest Of All Time. Period.
He’s also a pretty adept trash-talker.
We’ve all heard the stories and have seen the interviews of former NBA greats not only talking about how they had to bring their A-game if they they wanted to compete with His Airness.
When the Milwaukee
Friday the 13th (Nov. 1992)
The famous shrug … saw it when I asked MJ about rookie Todd Day talking smack to the goat. Heard the banter sitting courtside. Asked the question huddled around MJ’s locker with hoard of other reporters … a harrowing experience in and of itself. Any thought of it might being a dumb question was put to rest when MJ smiled that playful smile and shrugged that famous shrug before taking the high road and giving a simple answer about TD.
The stat sheet showed MJ scoring 34 and TD finishing with 12. He did have a steal against MJ.
Walking back saw Phil Jackson sitting on the retractable bleachers in the bowels of the Bradley Center smoking a cigarette. When I said hello, he motioned me over and he actually asked me who I wrote for. I told him UPI, and that I had talked to quite a few famous athletes covering the Brewers and the Packers, but that I had never felt as nervous asking MJ my one question. He said I’m not the first person in the media to say that and then said something I will never forget. “I sometimes feel that way. He’s one of the best to ever play this game.
Pippen story about having stomach cramps. Also on that team was Horace Grant … three of the all-time top 10 Chicago Bulls.
When was the famous shrug?
Tie column in to top teams.