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ON THE RECORD
MICHAEL (AND FRIENDS) TALK ABOUT MICHAEL
"We were playing (the Bulls) in Detroit,and our main objective was not to let Michael dunk us....
"He was coming down on offense on a break,and...I had him stopped.The next thing I know,he turns his body all WIGGILY-WAGGLY.He moves his body in midair,and he lays it in on the other side of the rim.
"We call timeout...,and before he could say a thing,I yell at Chuck (Daly,the Detroit coach),'don't even yell at me!you saw him do it!You saw he did!'"
- John Salley,
recalling a game against Jordan's Bulls in the late '80s
"He came into camp like a man possessed.Every practice,every shooting drill...was just a huge competition....It...set the tone for our season.... There was definitely a purpose to (it).He was trying to show us what we had to do to be champions."
- Steve Kerr,
on the Bulls' 1995-96 season
"We wish Jordan were 7-feet,but he isn't.There just wasn't a center available.What can you do?Jordan isn't going to turn this franchise around.I wouldn't ask him to.He's a very good offensive player,but not an overpowering offensive player."
- Rod Thorn,
then-Bulls general manager,after selecting Jordan in the 1984 NBA Draft
"I THINK HE"S GOD disguised as Michael Jordan."
- Larry Bird,
after Jordan's 63-point playoff game in Boston
"(Guarding) Jordan is like a nightmare.I have dreams about it.Especially when the tongue comes out."
- Craig Ehlo,
then with Cleveland,on the 1989 NBA Playoffs
"When (Michael) retired,he came to Golden State ahd practiced with us for three or four days.Mitch Richmond (who had worn No.23) wasn't there (anymore)...,so (Michael) had his own Warriors jersey with a 23 on it.I saw that and said,'IF WE COULD ONLY KEEP HIM ON OUR TEAM.' Man,it doesn't hurt to dream."
- New Jersay's Chris Gatling,recalling his days with Golden State
"I was with the developmental team before the 1992 Olympics.The first day,I was matched up against Michael,and I was...trying to deny him the ball.He said,'Look,man,this ain't Duke.
I CAN GET THE BALL WHENEVER I WANT,AND I CAN DO WHATEVER I WANT WITH IT.'When I thouhgt about it,I realized he was right."
- Grant Hill
"I thought I would go (into the NBA) AND BE A FLOP.Everyone was expecting so much (of me)."
- Michael Jordan