10 Things We Learned From ESPN's Michael Jordan Profile
In an in-depth narrative titled "Michael Jordan Has Not Left The Building," ESPN The Magazine profiled Michael Jordan leading up to his 50th birthday. VIBE compiled these 10 nuggets of info that offer insight into the mind of the b-ball legend.
Michael still dreams of getting back on the court
"I value that. I like reminiscing. I do it more now watching basketball than anything. Man, I wish I was playing right now. I would give up everything now to go back and play the game of basketball."
1
10
2
10
MJ has always had a fear of death
"I always thought I would die young."
3
10
Even at the age of 50, MJ has not lost the fire that fuels him
"It's consumed me so much. I'm my own worst enemy. I drove myself so much that I'm still living with some of those drives. I'm living with that. I don't know how to get rid of it. I don't know if I could. And here I am, still connected to the game... How can I enjoy the next 20 years without so much of this consuming me? How can I find peace away from the game of basketball?"
4
10
MJ loves watching Westerns... like, really loves
"I watch 'em all the time. I watch Marshal Dillon. I watch all of 'em."
5
10
Michael's fiancee, Yvette, has changed him in ways many, including himself, wouldn't expect
"It's amazing what women can talk you into doing. Make you change. Ten years ago, we'd have been arguing all f---ing day. I would've won. This time, this stage where I am, you win. That's progress."
6
10
As MJ grows older, he fears that his accomplishments will diminish with him as they did for Joe Montana
"They're gonna say Brady because they don't remember Montana. Isn't that amazing?"
7
10
Michael studies LeBron James
"When LeBron goes right, he usually drives; when he goes left, he usually shoots a jumper. It has to do with his mechanics and how he loads the ball for release. So if I have to guard him, I'm gonna push him left so nine times out of 10, he's gonna shoot a jump shot. If he goes right, he's going to the hole and I can't stop him. So I ain't letting him go right."
8
10
Jordan can't fall asleep in silence
Wright Thompson writes: Every night he does the same thing, and he does it now: Turn the bedroom television to the Western channel. The cowboy movies will break the darkness, break the silence, allow him to rest. It's just like the old days, him and Pops. Jordan climbs into bed. The film on the screen is "Unforgiven." He knows every scene, and sometime before the shootout in the saloon, he falls asleep.
9
10
Mike's self esteem is tied in with basketball. Without it he feels lost
Wright Thompson writes: His self-esteem has always been, as he says, "tied directly to the game." Without it, he feels adrift. Who am I? What am I doing? For the past 10 years, since retiring for the third time, he has been running, moving as fast as he could, creating distractions, distance.
10
10
MJ's addiction to winning is hard to let go, even after years of being retired
"I can't help myself. It's an addiction. You ask for this special power to achieve these heights, and now you got it and you want to give it back, but you can't. If I could, then I could breathe."
The Vibe Mix Newsletter
All things VIBE.
Daily - Straight to your inbox.
Whoops!
All things VIBE.
You have signed up and will start receiving the Vibe Mix Newsletter immediately.
