NBA Archives Debunked: The Jordan Saga

Chapter 6 Breaking the Cocoon (3)

In fact, in the early years, Jordan was more interested in North Carolina State University because he admired North Carolina State University player David Thompson (David Thompson).But later, after Jordan entered Dean Smith's basketball training camp, Coach Smith's personal charm instantly conquered Jordan, and North Carolina became Jordan's first choice.Many years later, Jordan met many powerful and important people, including the president of the United States. Someone asked Jordan: Are you nervous to meet the president?Jordan replied: No, the only person I ever met who was nervous was Dean Smith.

Of course, in addition to North Carolina, Jordan's future has other possibilities.The University of Virginia is interested in him. They not only have top center Ralph Sampson (Ralph Sampson) who can play alongside Jordan, but also the school team’s sneaker brand is Adidas. Compared with the Converse worn by the North Carolina school team, Jordan personally prefers Adidas.The University of South Carolina is also fighting for Jordan. For this reason, Jordan was once taken to meet with the governor of South Carolina, and South Carolina showed its importance to Jordan.There was also a brief moment when Dean Smith was concerned that Duke University in the same state would snatch Jordan, because Jordan's mother, Delores, seemed to think that Duke player Gene Banks (Gene Banks) was good.

Brendan Malone called Jordan and asked if he would come to Syracuse.Jordan replied: "Coach, I really enjoy playing for you, but I've already made up my mind where I'm going." Malone said: "I think I know where it is. Anyway, good luck to you, Michael."

Jordan's decision, after all, is North Carolina.Dean Smith and the North Carolina basketball team's presence in the state ensured their victory in the Jordan race.In North Carolina, Dean Smith wanted an in-state player, and rarely couldn't get one.Jordan's family likes Dean Smith. At the same time, Jordan's parents also especially admire Roy Williams.It was Roy Williams who first got in touch with Jordan, and Roy Williams has always maintained this relationship with the Jordan family.

At that time, Roy Williams had the lowest status in the North Carolina coaching staff, only equivalent to a university assistant.He had to do all the thankless chores for a meager salary—$2 his first year, and $700 a year by the time Jordan enrolled.For many years later, Jordan has always been highly loyal to the North Carolina basketball team. One of the reasons is that during his years in the team, people like Roy Williams have been making sacrifices. And his friends keep getting better.Jordan is grateful for that dedication, and he feels he owes it to them.

During Jordan's senior year of high school, a small crisis occurred, which did not belong to Jordan.The University of Kentucky -- another school with a basketball heritage -- was trying to catch up with Buzz Peterson, who fell in love with the basketball scene there.In Kentucky, where basketball is the number one sport, the football team is much weaker than the basketball team, so basketball players are treated like gods.Peterson faltered, and one Sunday he even made an explicit promise to the Kentuckians, and he decided to go to them.The next day, the phone rang, and it was his high school coach, Rodney Johnson, who had learned from Randy Sheppard that Peterson had changed his mind.Johnson asked: Are you really planning to go to Kentucky?Peterson: Yes.

Rodney Johnson is a believer in North Carolina. He and Roy Williams are very good friends and often go to Dean Smith's training camp to help. He doesn't want his best student to go to North Carolina. competitors.So that Monday morning, Rodney Johnson talked to Peterson for two and a half hours, analyzed the pros and cons with him, and laid out the benefits of joining North Carolina.

That night, the phone at Peterson's house rang again, and it was Jordan calling.Peterson understood that North Carolina had asked him to play the friendship card.Jordan asked: "I heard you are considering going to Kentucky?" Peterson said: "Yes, I like the basketball atmosphere there, and I should go there." Jordan said: "I thought we would go to college together and live in the same room. Let’s win the national championship together.” From Jordan’s voice, Peterson could clearly hear that he was disappointed and even hurt.

By Tuesday, Dean Smith had shown up at Peterson's house in person, the coup de grace for North Carolina.Considering the prestige of Dean Smith in North Carolina, this is even more incredible than any governor or senator.In this state, if Dean Smith came to your house and told you in person that he wanted you, what would you say?No one would turn him down, no one.

And just like that, the week wasn't over yet, and everything was back on track for North Carolina.In the end, Peterson, like Jordan, chose North Carolina.

In the summer of 1981, before his college career began, Jordan played two high school All-Star games with Buzz Peterson.One was the "Capital Classic" in Washington, where Jordan faced Patrick Ewing for the first time.Ewing, a center from Jamaica, was recognized as the best and most promising high school basketball player in the United States at the time. His name will often appear in later stories because he was an important opponent throughout Jordan's basketball career.

Another event that Jordan and Peterson played in was the McDonald's All-American Game in Wichita, where they started together.Peterson could feel that Jordan was suffocating and ready to explode.They're on the same team, as is Adrian Branch, a good forward who's definitely going to Maryland.That day, Jordan played terrifically, scoring 30 points, 19 of 13 shots, and 2 rebounds; Blanche also performed well, scoring 24 points and grabbing 8 rebounds.After the game, the MVP was voted by the three judges, and the result was awarded to Blanche.Those three judges, one was the great coach John Wooden, one was Sonny Hill, and the other was Morgan Wootten.Blanche's decision to be elected as the MVP seems to be "tricky" because Morgan Wooten happens to be Blanche's high school coach.However, due to this special relationship, Wu Teng gave up voting, and the other two judges later explained that the reason why the MVP was awarded to Blanche instead of Jordan was because the shots made by Blanche happened in a later period. important time period.

Regardless, the decision came as a surprise to many at the scene.After the selection results were announced, Peterson looked back at the auditorium and found that his mother had left the seat angrily with Jordan's mother Delores and walked straight to the judges.Peterson had a premonition that a terrible conflict was about to take place, and Morgan Wooten was in danger.At this moment, North Carolina's chief assistant Bill Gusrich appeared in Peterson's field of vision, and Gusrich persuaded the two ladies.

After the game, Billy Packer, who was in charge of broadcasting the game on CBS, was about to leave the court when Dolores, who was still angry, chased after her, still questioning about the MVP decision.Pike persuaded: "I wouldn't worry that much, Mrs. Jordan. It's just an All-Star game. Michael's future, there will be a lot of that stuff. I think your son will have a great basketball career."

Ten years is not too late for a gentleman to take revenge.In Jordan's junior season, on January 1984, 1, North Carolina played away against Maryland. In the last few seconds of the game, Jordan got the ball from the backcourt and went straight to the basket, took off from the edge of the penalty area, and moved in the air. Completed a powerful one-handed buckle.Roy Williams felt that Jordan's entire body flew above the basket.Michael Wilbon, a young reporter then writing about college basketball for The Washington Post, later recalled, "It was the most brutal thing I've ever seen a college player do."

cruel?Peterson knew better than Wilburn why Jordan was so cruel.This is Jordan's return to Blanche.About three years ago, Blanche stole Jordan's MVP at the McDonald's All-Star Game. This old account will have to be settled sooner or later.

(End of this chapter)