I could not believe how petty Jordan came across. Agree with every word of Wojnarowski's column. That was a very clear indication of who he is at this point in his life.
My best Jordan story, however, came from covering the Raptors in 1997-98. It was the team's first game after the trade deadline. They'd just dealt Damon Stoudamire and had only 8 players available to face the Bulls, en route to their sixth title. (The Raptors would win 16 games that year.)
Predictably, the Bulls were killing them as the first-half ended, despite Jordan having just three points. My media row seat was by the Bulls bench, and as they warmed up for the start of the second half, Phil Jackson walked over to him and said, "Why don't you take the rest of the night off?"
I'll never forget Jordan's response. He said, "I haven't given these fans their show yet." At the time, the Raptors played in SkyDome, and there were about 35,000 fans. He scored 19 points in the third, many spectacularly, and when the buzzer sounded, walked by Jackson and said, "Now you can take me out."
I really respected that about him.
My Stockton story came from Stoudamire, during his Rookie-of-the-Year season (1995-96). The Raptors actually played the Jazz close at home early in November, but Stoudamire was despondent afterwards. It was the most down he'd be after any game that season. He said that no one took him to the cleaners worse than Stockton. He was crushed. I also remember Willie Anderson walking over to him and explaining how that happens during your first year.
Robinson: I always felt he was never as good as he should have been.
Sloan: Love his honesty. And, despite his crustiness, he certainly feels he should treat people with respect.
Stringer: Don't know her. But, can see she's a very strong person for overcoming her husband's death and daughter's illness.
