Those asked to recall
their favorite Michael Jordan memory do so immediately. There is no
hesitation, no time needed to cull memory banks because those who
brushed up against his greatness recall those tales with such frequency.
Fifteen
years since he last wore a Bulls uniform, and 10 years since playing in
his last NBA game, the memories remain vivid because they have been
repeated again and again in hotel lobbies, college gyms and at
end-of-the-year banquets.
It may have been a decade since he last played, but
Jordan’s shadow still looms large over the NBA. People still want to
know what he was like and what it was like to play with or against him.
That’s why, on his 50th birthday, we asked 50 people to share their
favorite memories of Michael Jordan:
‘‘One of the funniest things I’ve ever gone through with my dad has to be something from my childhood. My dad hates
snakes — like, actual snakes. Even on the golf course, sometimes you
encounter snakes, and I promise it is a sight to see! But anyway, I had
to be around 7 years old, my brother, Jeffrey, was 9, and we went to
this arcade in our neighborhood called ‘Super Just Games’ — not sure if
it’s still around. As prizes that we won that day, Jeff and I decided to
get a bunch of rubber snakes from the arcade to leave in my parents’
bedroom as a prank. It goes without saying, when my dad got home and saw
the snakes, my brother and I got in some big trouble! But looking back
on it is hilarious to us.’’
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