By Adiel Kalonji | NBA Editor
Throughout his career and beyond, Michael Jordan built his legend, to the point of being elevated to the rank of legendary athlete throughout the world. The stories where he is portrayed as the perfect hero are numerous, but some still deviate from the rule.
After 13 seasons with the Bulls and 2 additional years with the Wizards, Michael Jordan was able to retire as the most famous basketball player in the world. Better yet, he is still considered today as one of the most legendary sports personalities of all eras. As soon as he entered the league, the six-time champion became a sensation in the eyes of the world.
And even before that, he showed glimpses of his immense talent when he played in the college championship for the North Carolina Tar Heels. It was so much so that Kenny Smith was convinced by His Airness to join his college. The double champion with the Rockets returned to this funny story on the famous show “Jimmy Kimmel Live”.
When Kenny Smith was in college with Michael Jordan
I was in the period where I visited university teams who wanted to recruit me. At that time it was “Mike Jordan”, no one called him “Michael” yet. He showed me around the facilities. I was from New York, so at that time it was a big hillbilly for me! But he had a great competitive spirit, and that’s why I went there.
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I remember my father telling me that I had to have the eye of the tiger if I wanted to become a great player. We were in the car, MJ was driving and he said to me, “Do you know what I’m going to wear?” “. He put on the song “Eye of the Tiger”. I didn’t expect him to put that, but that’s what made me think I had to go to North Carolina. It was a sign. We were both listening to this music with Michael Jordan.
Since I was from New York, to me, Michael Jordan and the others were hillbillies. They called me “New York” when I had to do chores since I was in first year. And so, I changed my name from Kenneth to “Ken NY”. And I think the fact that I came from New York influenced others. I was the one who introduced them to rap with my big speaker all over campus.
Drafted in 6th position by Sacramento in 1987, Kenny Smith was able to face Michael Jordan several times in the league. Impressed by the five-time MVP’s rage to win, he went so far as to join him for his higher studies. However, if we trust his words, the legendary class of the Hall of Famer was not as noticeable as it is today, and the consultant was even at the origin of his more trendy style during his career.
40 years ago, Michael Jordan and Kenny Smith were college teammates. And as the former Rockets recounted recently, the Bulls legend was not necessarily the man with the incomparable aura as he is often described today.
2024-02-24 18:40:00
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