Michael Jordan Top 50 All Time Plays
“My best memory is his last shot [vs. Utah in 1998]. ... The dude goes out there and steals it from Karl Malone, pulls a layup out of his [butt]. He wasn’t supposed to get that layup. He wasn’t supposed to steal from Malone, then come down and make that shot. ... He made something out of nothing like he always does.
“Was watching with everybody in my house in Chicago. Everyone went crazy, ran around outside like everyone they won. Everyone would go on front porch and go crazy.”
IMAN SHUMPERT - Knicks guard, Chicago native, former Bulls fan
“I had him as a rookie and the talent, you could see it by the second or third day. That’s when we knew it. He always knew it. But it was just so rare for a rookie to come in and be a leader, yet he was.
“He was demanding of his teammates. But he had their respect. He never took a day off and every day, every practice, every game, he played full blast.
“It wasn’t long that we knew he was special. We just didn’t know he was going to be the greatest ever.”
KEVIN LOUGHERY - Jordan’s first coach with Bulls
Michael Jordan The Untouchable Legendary: This video is showing every aspect from the Greatest Player of All Time. People can not forget his greatness just by watching Kobe or Lebron playing today NBA. Hope you guys enjoy.
“I knew who he was. I had heard all the hoopla, but we didn’t match up. He was 6-6 and I was 6-2, so I never had to guard him. I was adjusting to my move from Seattle to the Bullets, so I was not focusing on him.
“He was good then, but he became better much later on. He didn’t realize how good he was. Once he realized he was the man, it was all over.” GUS WILLIAMS - 11-year NBA veteran who faced Jordan in MJ’s first game on Oct. 26, 1984
“As a ball boy, I remember his first exhibition game, he had a red radio in the locker room playing music pretty loud. The general manager at the time, Rod Thorn, told him that he was not allowed to do that. However, after the first exhibition game, Michael could play whatever music he wanted to in the locker room.” COMMON - Rapper, actor, Bulls ball boy 1984-87
“There’s certain people that set themselves a part. There was a lot of talent in the league during the period Michael Jordan was there and you kind of don’t remember their names. What Michael Jordan has done with his career, I don’t think anything close has happened yet. People want to do a shoe deal with a company and he is the company.” 50 CENT - Rapper
“A lot of people don’t know I played against Michael Jordan back in 1986, ’87 in a summer league game. He had 65, I had 63. That’s when he knew who I was. And I always knew who he was because I went to his first ballgame [vs. the Bullets]. I remember with Jeff Ruland — Michael, he came down the middle thinking he was going to be His Airness and Ruland put him on his back. I was on like the 19th balcony, the last step in Chicago Stadium, and if I threw a pin I could have heard it drop, that’s how silent it was.” TIM HARDAWAY - Hall of Fame finalist
“My fondest memory of Michael involves my son David, who worked as a Nets ballboy through junior and senior high school. Early in the 1990-91 season, David was playing a little one-on-one with Michael, as David did with a lot of players, and I observed Michael showing him a couple of offensive tips.
“When I got ready to leave that night, I noticed David carrying a pair of sneakers. He explained that when he and Michael were talking, [they discussed] the fact that David’s 13th birthday and Bar Mitzvah were coming up soon. Michael told David to see him after the game, and Michael gave David his autographed sneakers from that night’s game as a birthday present.
“As competitive as he was as a player, this personally caring side of the game’s greatest player was a pleasure to see. ... It’s a recollection of Michael Jordan that will stay with me always.’ HERB TURETZKY, Nets official scorer for every game Jordan played at the Meadowlands
“Michael Jordan is a Chicago legend, both for his prowess on the basketball court and for his deep commitment to our communities. From his work with the local Boys and Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity and the Special Olympics to the six NBA Championships he delivered to our city, he has made spirits soar and continues to serve as an inspiration for generations of children.
“Michael exemplifies the tenacity and heart of this city and on behalf of all Chicagoans, we wish him a happy birthday.” RAHM EMANUEL - Mayor of Chicago
“I think anytime you’re having to defend an exceptional player like that, it truly comes down to your will to compete against that guy and not give in. Because that type of talent can overwhelm you, if you’re not mentally strong enough to deal with it on a nightly basis.
“By no means am I’m telling you that I came close to stopping him, but I am saying that I was willing to compete at the highest level and let the chips fall where they may.” JOE DUMARS - Hall of Famer, Jordan’s defensive nemesis
“There’s no one memory of Michael. There are just so many. Our playoffs against the Bulls. A great, great player, an unbelievable player. Great competitor. And he was always a tremendous person. Great teammate and a great friend. I enjoyed the time I spent playing with him and playing against him. On the Olympic gold medal team, you couldn’t ask for a better teammate.
“I enjoyed everything about him but yes, he did ruin [my championship dreams]. Oh yes he did.”
“Was watching with everybody in my house in Chicago. Everyone went crazy, ran around outside like everyone they won. Everyone would go on front porch and go crazy.”
IMAN SHUMPERT - Knicks guard, Chicago native, former Bulls fan
“I had him as a rookie and the talent, you could see it by the second or third day. That’s when we knew it. He always knew it. But it was just so rare for a rookie to come in and be a leader, yet he was.
“He was demanding of his teammates. But he had their respect. He never took a day off and every day, every practice, every game, he played full blast.
“It wasn’t long that we knew he was special. We just didn’t know he was going to be the greatest ever.”
KEVIN LOUGHERY - Jordan’s first coach with Bulls
Michael Jordan The Untouchable Legendary: This video is showing every aspect from the Greatest Player of All Time. People can not forget his greatness just by watching Kobe or Lebron playing today NBA. Hope you guys enjoy.
“I knew who he was. I had heard all the hoopla, but we didn’t match up. He was 6-6 and I was 6-2, so I never had to guard him. I was adjusting to my move from Seattle to the Bullets, so I was not focusing on him.
“He was good then, but he became better much later on. He didn’t realize how good he was. Once he realized he was the man, it was all over.” GUS WILLIAMS - 11-year NBA veteran who faced Jordan in MJ’s first game on Oct. 26, 1984
“As a ball boy, I remember his first exhibition game, he had a red radio in the locker room playing music pretty loud. The general manager at the time, Rod Thorn, told him that he was not allowed to do that. However, after the first exhibition game, Michael could play whatever music he wanted to in the locker room.” COMMON - Rapper, actor, Bulls ball boy 1984-87
“There’s certain people that set themselves a part. There was a lot of talent in the league during the period Michael Jordan was there and you kind of don’t remember their names. What Michael Jordan has done with his career, I don’t think anything close has happened yet. People want to do a shoe deal with a company and he is the company.” 50 CENT - Rapper
“A lot of people don’t know I played against Michael Jordan back in 1986, ’87 in a summer league game. He had 65, I had 63. That’s when he knew who I was. And I always knew who he was because I went to his first ballgame [vs. the Bullets]. I remember with Jeff Ruland — Michael, he came down the middle thinking he was going to be His Airness and Ruland put him on his back. I was on like the 19th balcony, the last step in Chicago Stadium, and if I threw a pin I could have heard it drop, that’s how silent it was.” TIM HARDAWAY - Hall of Fame finalist
“My fondest memory of Michael involves my son David, who worked as a Nets ballboy through junior and senior high school. Early in the 1990-91 season, David was playing a little one-on-one with Michael, as David did with a lot of players, and I observed Michael showing him a couple of offensive tips.
“When I got ready to leave that night, I noticed David carrying a pair of sneakers. He explained that when he and Michael were talking, [they discussed] the fact that David’s 13th birthday and Bar Mitzvah were coming up soon. Michael told David to see him after the game, and Michael gave David his autographed sneakers from that night’s game as a birthday present.
“As competitive as he was as a player, this personally caring side of the game’s greatest player was a pleasure to see. ... It’s a recollection of Michael Jordan that will stay with me always.’ HERB TURETZKY, Nets official scorer for every game Jordan played at the Meadowlands
“Michael Jordan is a Chicago legend, both for his prowess on the basketball court and for his deep commitment to our communities. From his work with the local Boys and Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity and the Special Olympics to the six NBA Championships he delivered to our city, he has made spirits soar and continues to serve as an inspiration for generations of children.
“Michael exemplifies the tenacity and heart of this city and on behalf of all Chicagoans, we wish him a happy birthday.” RAHM EMANUEL - Mayor of Chicago
“I think anytime you’re having to defend an exceptional player like that, it truly comes down to your will to compete against that guy and not give in. Because that type of talent can overwhelm you, if you’re not mentally strong enough to deal with it on a nightly basis.
“By no means am I’m telling you that I came close to stopping him, but I am saying that I was willing to compete at the highest level and let the chips fall where they may.” JOE DUMARS - Hall of Famer, Jordan’s defensive nemesis
“There’s no one memory of Michael. There are just so many. Our playoffs against the Bulls. A great, great player, an unbelievable player. Great competitor. And he was always a tremendous person. Great teammate and a great friend. I enjoyed the time I spent playing with him and playing against him. On the Olympic gold medal team, you couldn’t ask for a better teammate.
“I enjoyed everything about him but yes, he did ruin [my championship dreams]. Oh yes he did.”
