Michael Tillery.com

Brand Jordan

May 3rd, 2006
by Michael Tillery

S-T-R-E-T-C-H Mike! Stay on your tip toes Michael, the kids still want to see. The Jordan All American Classic is proof. This High School All Star game that carries your name should be around for ages. Your legacy is forever intact. When they speak of you, they will always look high in the sky as if you are flying way above them almost out of sight. You bring out the little kid in all of us Mike. Most of the kids playing in this years game were really young when you won your titles. Rest assured that their Pops, Grand pops, older cousins, uncles or brothers pulled them from whatever they were doing and held them down until they saw you do something basketball fantastic. Their older kin then let go just to see the reaction. Sometimes you don't have to say Wow! The eyes say it for you. They never had to hold them down again. The hesitation baseline dunk over Patrick Ewing and the Knicks. Craig Ehlo's nightmare. The 63 points you put up that made everyone forget the Celtic juggernaut actually existed. The hit the slow motion button on the VCR--as many times as you can--1987 Dominique sleepy bye bye slam—as I call it—because Mike, you were laying down in the air looking right at the rim. Damn, that was African!

Do you still see? Don't say you don't remember Utah? Do you still see the fiery gold dust that forever will protrude out of his outstretched fingers? Have you seen the still picture and all of the anxious and ultimately disappointed fans in Salt Lake City that Jordan forever affected when that shot swished through the net?

That jumper's origin continued a legacy of deity that will not ever go away.
How many other cities can be added to the list? You better believe that your home team is one of them. Mike has crushed many hearts but you can't hate him. Admit it Reggie, Spike, Charles, Patrick, Karl and John—Mike put a smile on your face even though he's wearing your rings.

What a player Mike was. He was everything athletic, everything amazing and everything great. The passion he had for the game of basketball was militarily robotic that destroyed everything and everyone in his path. He was like an always victorious Killer Whale that preyed on the biggest and baddest great white sharks. If he smelled blood...game over!

Fast forward to the new millennium. Michael Jordan's legacy has spawned an All American game for the greatest seniors in high school basketball. I spoke to some of the players before and after the game. These kids are still in awe of Mike as a player. They are humble and every single one of them seemed to be good kids. Grounded kids. Try and sense the impact MJ had on Kansas bound Sherron Collins. Collins is from Chicago of all places and is built like a strong safety. He has a football background and was recruited by a couple of Big Ten schools to play football.

Michael Tillery : What does the Michael Jordan as a basketball player and as a person mean to you?

SC: I mean..it's like...Michael Jordan is like a... Man, when you speak his name you just pause. The way he carries himself wherever he goes—on or off the court. His keeps his image immaculate. That's what I like about him, I try my best to keep the image people have of me in a similar way. I try to watch him. I try to watch all of his tapes. I just try to learn and soak in anything and everything about him. He, my Mom and my Uncle Walt “Pee Wee” Harris—who had a liver transplant and is the biggest thing in my life because he was there for me when me and my Mom didn't see eye to eye. He was my hope. He made sure I kept working hard. His name is going to be on my shoe when I play in this game that I'm most honored to play in.
Wayne Ellington is a North Carolina bound 6-4 shooting guard who has a smooth athletic, versatile and intelligent game. Kobe Bryant is a major influence because they grew up in the same area of PA. Mike is king though and there is no denying that he bleeds Carolina blue.

Michael Tillery: Talk about the Carolina legacy. Michael Jordan, Dean Smith, James Worthy..etc.

WE: What you just said, you can go on forever. The list goes on an on. The tradition is crazy. When you go into the Dean Center and look up and see all those banners, it gives you chills. Looks up smiling. Michael Jordan is the greatest which really sums it up. He's a businessman. He's one of the greatest athletes to play the game. He's a great person.

Michael Tillery: Do you aspire to be as great as he?

WE: Mike realizes that there is more to life than just basketball. I want to have that kind of impact on the game on and off the court. He is a major inspiration to all of the players here.
Brandon Wright, a 6-9 power forward from Brentwood, TN is another Carolina bound kid. His Brentwood Academy team won four straight TN championships which is an amazing feat on any level. I asked him about being invited to play in the Jordan Classic:

BW: I'm definitely honored to play in this game. Along with Tywon Lawson (5-11 pg who played at Oak Hill Academy in VA. His game is compared to A.I.) and Wayne Ellington, we are here to represent North Carolina to the fullest. Tywon chimes in: Mike is everything great about basketball. I chose the Jordan Classic because of him. I have much admiration for him and everything he's about. The game was an afterthought. During halftime I got the chance to speak to a couple of the celebrities that were amongst the many there. I asked LL Cool J, actor and multi platinum recording artist, what he thought of the talent: “The tempo was definitely pro. In the first half the game slowed down so all the athletes could shine. I'm excited for them! I do my thing, but I'm a big fan of Michael Jordan. I'm honored to be here and wish Mike as well as the youngsters playing all the best. Thaddeus Young—the comedian of the group--(White) won MVP, scoring 28 points in an array of driving dunks and thunderous put backs. Kevin Durant had sixteen to pick up the Black team honor. He's a versatile player that obviously will help the Texas faithful breathe easier with the departure of Le Marcus Aldridge.
Darryl McDaniels, of Run DMC fame also had some enthusiastic words: “These kids can ball! I know we couldn't jump like this growing up. These kids are seriously gifted. Their athleticism is off the chart. The future of the game is definitely in good hands.”

Michael Jordan, we thank you for what you have given to the sports world. Your have influenced a new breed of ballers in such a positive way. From Kobe Bryant, to Le Bron James, you have taught these kids that it's OK to be a gentleman off the court. As menacing as you were while you were playing, you have shown these kids that there is more to life than just a game. Thanks Michael for doing a job that so many parents—for some reason—refuse to do.