|
Memories
Of Mike
AQB
Talks To Personalities From ESPN, CNN, Fox, Turner
By
Randy Williams and George
Stahl
NEW
YORK (AQB)--The career of retiring NBA great Michael Jordan affected
all who watched him, particularly those assigned to cover the greatest
showman on earth.
ArmchairQB.com
contacted media members to get their opinions on number 23's departure,
the chances of his return and the impact his retirement will have
on the NBA.
Click
on any name below to read an opinion and please
don't forget to reload this page to ensure you're reading the latest
version.
(If you are a media member interested in adding your comments, please
send an e-mail to George
or Randy.
To comment on our story, go to the Speak
Out page. Also, feel free to add your name to our mailing
list at no cost.)
Added
Wednesday...
 Dan
Patrick, ESPN
The legendary
SportsCenter announcer covered Jordan at everyone of his
six titles.
"He said
he would come in [for a interview] after each win, and he did,"
except after his flu-ridden performance in Game Five of the 1997
Finals.
"And I
forgave him for that."
Patrick said
Jordan viewed him as a good-luck charm.
"He had
this impression that he could only win as long as I was there covering
him. I
didn't want to break the news to him that he probably didn't need
me there to win all those titles."
Back
to the list
Added
Monday...
 Rece
Davis, ESPN
At the end
of last Tuesday's 2 a.m. "Sportscenter" reporting that
Jordan would retire, Davis said his greatest memory dated to the
1997 NBA Finals when a violently ill MJ willed the Bulls to a game
five victory.
"I was covering the finals for NBA radio. We heard he was sick
and everybody said sure, 'he's got a little sniffle' but Quinn Buckner
came back from the locker room and said 'I don't know how this guy's
gonna play. He's really sick.' Then Michael went out and hung 38
on the Jazz."
Another great memory of Jordan was from that same series against
Utah.
"The ease and the grace with which he handled everything...I
remember seeing him at the United Center after one of those media
sessions, he'd been there for more than an hour - above and beyond
the call of duty. He is literally being chased out of the building
and he says 'Phil (Jackson), get these dogs off of me,' and laughed."
While Davis doesn't expect to see MJ on the court again, he said
"With him, you never know. He's so competitive and you just
wonder...I think it's harder for him to dominate but the fact is
he still dominates a game."
Back
to the list
 Stuart
Scott, ESPN
This "Sportscenter"
co-host, like Jordan a North Carolina graduate, has many great MJ
memories, both on and off the court.
On the 2 a.m. show with Davis, he said his top remembrance about
Jordan is from a celebrity basketball game when Scott fed MJ for
a dunk and gazed until Jordan thanked him for the pass with an extended
finger. "Affirmation," Scott said.
Off the court, Scott speaks of the chance his daughter has had to
meet Jordan.
"One of the coolest things is that my daughter Taelor, who's
going to be four, has been able to meet Michael after seeing him
in 'Spacejam.'
I brag because it's my daughter but the first basketball game she
ever saw was game four of the '96 Eastern finals when the Bulls
swept Orlando. I always made it a point to take her to see him play
once a year.
"It's funny I overheard her tell someone at school that 'Michael
Jordan's my friend.' She thinks everybody knows him," he laughed.
Scott's knows he has been fortunate to have covered number 23.
"My first thoughts as a journalist were along the lines of
I've been really blessed to cover this guy. I hope all of us understand
how blessed we've been. It's not too often you can say, without
argument, that he or she is the best at this. For those of us who've
had the chance to cover him, it's been a joy."
Back to the list
Added
Thursday...
Jack
McCallum , Sports Illustrated
The magazine's
NBA writer from 1985-93 has many great memories of Jordan but one
stands out above the others.
"First thing that comes to my mind is against the Cleveland Cavaliers,
the playoff game in 1989. The entire team chased him on that out
of bounds play. The Bulls are down.
"Everybody in the world knew he was going to get the ball.
He hits the shot over (Craig) Ehlo and jumps about 10 feet in the
air, ecstatic. I think the combination of the impossibility of the
shot and joy he showed after it was done made it a great moment
for me."
In a conversation with AQB, McCallum also recalled another fond
remembrance of Michael.
"I was supposed to do this story about Jordan and (Russian pole
vaulter) Sergei Bubka for the 1992 Olympic issue. We wanted to put
them both on the cover and it was my job to put together this bogus
story combining the two of them," he said.
Unfortunately, things didn't go as smoothly as McCallum had hoped.
"It turned out Bubka spoke a lot less English than I thought
and I certainly didn't speak any Russian. So I kind of begged Jordan
to help me out and he kind of jokingly said 'it's your job, not
mine.' He managed to pull the interview along and was able to draw
Bubka out like I couldn't. The fact that Jordan talked about track
and got Bubka talking about what a poor basketball player (Bubka)
was showed what kind of a guy he was."
But is there a chance of seeing this guy again, Jack?
"Sure. He left a 1/2% chance. I think the only logical scenario
would be if (former Bulls coach Phil Jackson) got a job and it would
have to be with the Knicks or somebody like that. I don't think
he'd go to a place like Denver."
Back
to the list
 Craig
Sager, Turner Sports
This reporter
covered Jordan from the time "Air" entered the NBA in
1984 but his most vivid MJ memory has nothing to do with basketball.
"I was covering a U.S. National Track meet up in Nashville while
Michael was in town with the Birmingham Barons. I went to the track
meet and met up with him later. We're sitting in the locker room
when O.J. and the Bronco chase comes on TV.
"We just sat there for three or four hours and he hardly said
a word, except to call for a beer. He was just captivated by what
was on the screen. Everybody else cleared out and it was just the
two of us in this little minor league locker room.
"I remember thinking it was a very different feeling than interviewing
him on national TV in front of a live audience."
Another Sager memory of Jordan is a touching one.
"I got to be good friends with his dad. His dad and I would
talk and pass notes back and forth. When Michael returned to the
NBA (in 1995) and was struggling a bit, I brought out some of the
notes that I had exchanged with his Dad. I think he was pretty touched
by that."
When asked if he thinks Michael might return, Sager
said "Yes, I do. I was surprised he made an announcement this early.
I haven't put it aside yet that he's definitely through. There's
a chance he'll be back."
Sager also told AQB that Turner's first NBA coverage for the 1999
season will be a Feb. 5 doubleheader, probably featuring West Coast
teams.
Back
to the list
Added
Wednesday...
 Bob
Lorenz, CNNSI
Like many kids
with a Jordan poster on his or her wall, the enduring MJ image for
this host of CNN's college and pro football pregame shows is the
moment before the jam.
"My greatest
memory is probably one of those snap shots when he's poised in the
air about to dunk...the tongue's sticking out," Lorenz said.
"And all the things he symbolizes - the drive, the character,
the showmanship."
But will we
ever see Jordan's taste buds again?
"In my heart
of hearts, no. I don't know if the fact that he left the door partly
open is his way of yanking our chain or of remaining in control.
Or maybe he honestly thinks, if Phil Jackson gets a job next year,
he'll play again."
Lorenz said
the loss of Michael will have far-reaching effects in the short
term but that the league will survive.
"The retirement
will hurt ticket and merchandise sales," Lorenz said, but "the
fans will latch onto somebody new."
Back
to the list
 Kenny
Mayne, ESPN
While the 11
p.m. EDT host of "SportsCenter" was amused by the simplicity
in which Jordan played the game, his greatest memory of the NBA's
greatest player is from off the court.
"Back in the
late 1980s - probably '87 or '88 - I was working in Seattle for
KSTW-TV and this friend of mine, Jesse Jones, was starting out as
a reporter there. We had an idea to get him an interview of Jordan.
"Well,
we were in the Coliseum, and the visitors' locker room was always
very hot and sweaty. After the game, Jordan comes out of the shower
and Jesse approaches
him to do a quick interview. He
said to wait a minute and then talked with Jesse.
"The way
he handled my friend was so cool. Jesse was sweating buckets because
it was so hot and it was his first big interview, and Jordan just
treated him great. I remember just sitting there and being amazed
by that."
Back
to the list
From
Tuesday...
 Vince
Cellini, CNNSI
The
co-host of CNN's "Sports Tonight" said he was simply amazed
at Jordan's effort in game six of the NBA finals last year.
"It might've been the greatest individual effort ever, particularly
at the end of the game. (The Bulls) needed the ball and needed a
basket and he just willed them to victory," Cellini said.
He also said he learned something else about Jordan while talking
with former Lakers and Pacers guard Byron Scott. "(Scott) said
the thing about Jordan is that he doesn't get tired. It's late in
the game and other guys are out of breath, tugging on their shorts
but his level of play doesn't diminish. That's what separates him."
Cellini describes MJ as "cordial...engaging. A pro." and
doubts if he'll ever return to the hardwood. But, he cautions, "I
think we've learned to never say never. The reason I'd leave a slight
crack in the door is that nothing gives Michael the juice of being
Michael like the NBA. As much as he's a private person and a regular
guy, I think he enjoys being Michael Jordan, and the NBA gives him
that vehicle."
Back
to the list
 Dick
Ebersol, NBC Sports
The
chairman of NBC sports issued a news release acknowledging that
the NBA will miss Jordan but stopped short of saying the league
will fall apart. Text of the release follows.
"We have all been fortunate to have been a part of one of the
most magical rides in sports history. Michael Jordan's retirement
is not completely unexpected, but we've been here before. When (NBC
acquired NBA television rights in 1990), there were those who wondered
where we'd find a defining superstar on the level of Larry Bird
or Magic Johnson, who were about to retire. Nobody wondered for
long, because Michael jumped into the spotlight and was immediately
embraced by the fans. Now, with the NBA and other television partners,
we have to reintroduce the new generation of stars in the NBA.
"While no single player can replace the transcendent athlete
of the decade(?), it will be exciting to see what players and what
'super teams' step into the spotlight for the fans to embrace in
the next era."
Sorry, Dick. We couldn't find a smaller picture.
Back
to the list
 Kevin
Frazier, Fox Sports
Keith
Olbermann's partner on the nightly "Fox Sports News" has
a great memory from covering Jordan and the Bulls in last year's
NBA finals.
"We wanted to get a one-on-one with Michael. We're driving
past his restaurant (in Chicago) and all of a sudden this sweet
red Ferrari pulls up next to us at the light. I noticed the number
23 on the license plates, rolled my window down and said 'Mike,
what's going on? Sooner or later you've got to do an interview with
us.' He looked at us, asked where we were headed and I said 'the
same place you are,' for the daily workout. Then he said 'How much
do you have because I only do seven-figure deals,' and sped off."
Frazier doesn't think MJ will return to the NBA but said "You
never say never. Michael is a great athlete, but there are a lot
of great athletes. But he is so competitive - no one else has his
mindset. He is driven by something that normal people don't have."
A picture of Kevin wasn't available but he's a good looking guy.
You'll have to take our word for it.
Back
to the list
 Inga
Hammond, CNNSI
Like
millions who saw Jordan's last shot heard 'round the world, the
anchor's greatest MJ memory is
Game 6 of last year's NBA Finals.
Hammond
doesn't expect Jordan to rejoin the NBA and says the game will feel
the impact of his departure in the short term.
"It
will definitely hurt because people need someone to relate. Someone
like Michael is almost above the anger we saw during the lockout.
It's time for someone to actually step up and take the banner of
the game's most popular player."
When
asked if Detroit Pistons star Grant Hill is the successor to Jordan's
throne, Hammond said "He definitely has the public relations
part of that tag down pat but the question is 'Can he take his game
to the level that Jordan did?' We'll see."
Back
to the list
 Jason
Jackson, ESPN
This
ESPN anchor grew up a Cleveland Cavaliers fan and says "I have
a lot of pain to deal with." Still, he has fond thoughts of
Jordan. His top MJ memory dates to 1995 when Jackson was covering
Chicago's visit to Miami for WSVN-TV.
"It was my first time covering him as a professional, and I
just remember being caught up in the awe of Jordan. So many times
we don't take the time to appreciate our stars, but fortunately
I was able to understand what makes him so special."
As for a possible return, Jackson says "I don't see why he should.
I think Bill Russell was the last NBA player to retire on such an
upswing. Just take a look at (Jordan's) last play as a professional,
to win the NBA finals - even though it was a push off (laughs)."
Jordan is gone but the NBA lives on and Jackson told me ESPN's "NBA
Today" will return next Tuesday, "hopefully with a live
show since there will probably be huge free-agent deals going down."
Jackson hosts the "NBA 2Night" on ESPN2 with Fred Carter
and David Aldridge. That show is set to resume Feb. 2.
Back
to the list
 Bob
Ley, ESPN
An
ESPN staple since the network's inception 20 years ago, Ley admits
to being in awe of Jordan during All-Star weekend in Seattle in
1987.
"I was sitting on the floor at half court during the slam dunk
contest. (Before his final dunk) Michael backed up to half court,
then to the foul line and finally to the base line and the crowd
just kept getting louder and louder. He built this great suspense
and then did this length of the court windup for a Dr. J-esque slam.
"That weekend I also did an interview between Pete Maravich
and Walt Frazier and thought 'It can't get any better than this.'"
Ley doesn't expect to see Jordan again, saying "He has always
been an author of the fantastic ending, and he's written a great
one." Well said.
Back
to the list
Chris
Myers, Fox Sports
The
new Fox anchorman and host of "Goin' Deep" said we haven't
necessarily seen the last of Jordan, whom he called "the greatest
to ever play the game."
"It
would not surprise me if he came back," Myers said.
But
even if he doesn't lace up the Air Jordans again, Myers doesn't
think he'll retire quietly.
"We'll
see him a lot," saying that Michael will continue to appear
in movies, commercials and such.
"I
wish he wouldn't retire, but I respect the fact that he is going
out on top," said Myers, who compared Jordan's departure while
still at the top to those of Johnny Carson and Jerry Seinfeld.
The
former host of ESPN's "Up Close" also respected Jordan's
professionalism. "He was decent with people."
Myers
said the NBA's biggest challenge in the post-Jordan era is "keeping
that professionalism that Jordan brought in the game."
Back
to the list
 Dr.
Jack Ramsay, ESPN
ESPN's
top NBA analyst said the whole league is hurt by Jordan's retirement.
"The
league takes a huge hit, of course," Dr. Jack Ramsay told ArmchairQB.com
from his home Tuesday. "It's not only bad news for the Bulls,
but it's also bad news for everyone else in the league," pointing
out that Jordan basically guaranteed a sellout in every game he
played.
But
while Jordan's retirement may hurt the league in the short term,
the Hall of Fame coach believes the league will survive just fine.
"He
will be missed a lot, but no one player is bigger than the game,"
said Ramsay, who put Jordan "at the top" of his list of
the greatest basketball players ever.
Ramsay
added that the NBA's new labor contract puts the league on solid
financial footing and that "there is nothing
like the NBA playoffs."
"It's
a great game, and there are still a lot of great, great players."
"The
fans will come back."
But
will Michael? Ramsay said no and that he was content with Jordan's
decision.
"I
feel good for Michael," said Ramsay, who picked out Game Five
of the 1997 NBA Finals as one of his more memorable Jordan moments.
"I
would only want what's best for him."
Back
to the list
 Charley
Steiner, ESPN
The
SportsCenter co-host is proud to have seen Jordan and doesn't think
we'll ever see his equal.
"You have to realize from the get-go that Michael Jordan and
you and I don't live on the same planet. He is one of those once-in-a-lifetime
guys.
"For us to think there is going to be an Air apparent is pure
folly. There will be no shortage of terrific players but no more
Jordans."
Back
to the list
Back to top
Go
to the NBA page
What do you think about this? Let everyone know on the Speak
Out page.
Click on the name to e-mail your opinion: Randy,
George or Both
Photos courtesy of ESPN, CNN, Fox and Turner Sports
|
