its definitely somewhat sad that lenny wilkens never won a championship... i guess the same could be said for pretty much any great basketball mind that played during Mike's era... I guess they all just got "Michael Jordan'd" so to speak...
Lenny Wilkins used to crack me up with his calling a timeout every time MJ would dunk. Growing up in Chicago I watched all these games and I loved watching MJ torch the Cavs but these games always had the most friggin commercials becuz of Lenny LOL. Also nice to see a pre knee injury Ron Harper, he could really play before he blew out knee a few years later when they traded him to the Clippers.
Johnny "Red" Kerr was an iconic commentator who made all of the Bulls games back then seem more fun and epic, especially when Mike was doing his 6 Rings thing
U see here why it was impossible to guard mj. Very good and protected by refs when good d was played. Can't allow consumers to think the idol can be defended.
@Secret Wars - Michael Jordan vids channel I didn't say he wasn't that good. He was. But what made him impossible to guard was the help the league gave him. Even if u prepared, trained, anticipated and played perfect defense the refs blew the whistle anyway. Listen to all the coaches and players of that time who lost control of their commentary after a tough loss and crossed the company line...they refer to it....he was an extremely physical player and if u matched his physicality it was a whistle. He routinely traveled out of the post with his baseline spin out move and routinely traveled in the triple threat face up drive bc his pivot foot lifted well before the ball hit the floor...travel. that allowed him to run into his move giving him an all time elite athlete a huge advantage over his defender. Basically no chance. Ofcourse the refs know the rule book and turned a blind eye bc mj highlights paid the bills. But if ur a player coach who trained yr entire life to win it had to unimaginably frustrating. And in those days the games were decided by 5 to 8 pts. So a few foul calls here and there, now ur in foul trouble and on the bench. U guys cant tell me u don't believe the league overlooks or manipulates officiating based on what's been happening the past 10 yrs. Obviously the league bends and changes depending on fan desire...business. mj was great, probably the best we've seen but he was helped more than his competition bc it was good for business. Ask pat riley or van gundy or magic johnson who's referred to it if mj wasnt officiated special....the list goes on w guys who lost their cool after a game and deviated from the company line. Even half jokingly commentators will say wow mj was called for a travel. That's a first.
@Beery right. Now place a value on the time and momentum that extra gives a super athlete like Jordan. The previous generations were bound by the rules of dribbling w their hand on top of the ball and not traveling into their move. Huge advantage Jordan had on his defender and even if he anticipated the direction was still called for the foul for impeding his path. Making him impossible to guard.
