Michael Jordan taught a young ‘reporter’ a valuable lesson

Remembering when Michael Jordan put a young “reporter” in his place, the first time I ever entered the Chicago Bulls locker room.

On November 4, 1996, Michael Jordan was a guest on the Oprah Winfrey show, promoting the film Space Jam, set to debut 11 days later.

The Bulls held a light practice that day getting ready to play the Vancouver Grizzlies the following night.

I would not remember any of this had November 5, 1996 not been my first time “reporting” at a Chicago Bulls basketball game. I had graduated college six months prior from The University of Iowa. There was not much of a life plan at that point, only that I wanted to be around sports and Michael Jordan, as much as possible.

I learned from my Dad that Columbia College Chicago offered a radio play-by-play class taught by legendary Chicago reporter “Red” Mottlow. Like my father, Red was a Marshall High School graduate.

While the class taught intricacies of play-by-play, most importantly it afforded students the opportunity to go to a Bulls game and try their hand calling a game. Plus, students were permitted in the locker room with Red after the game and allowed to interview the players. It took me less than a second to sign up.

So here we are! Bulls versus Grizzlies. Somewhere, there is an amazing play-by-play tape of me calling the action. The Bulls won easily, 96-73. I remember none of the game.

After the game, Michael Jordan was in a great mood. The Bulls were 3-0. His first movie was coming out in 10 days. The Bulls were the defending NBA champions on their way to another 3-peat.

Jordan did his postgame interviews sessions in waves. TV and radio reporters who lined up outside the Bulls locker room at halftime were generally first, followed by the beat writers who would edge closer and get what they needed. The third wave were more random folk, which on this night included a “reporter” from Columbia College.

Surprisingly, Jordan continued to talk with the third wave of reporters for an extended period of  time. He was in no rush get home or anywhere.  Jordan was enjoying himself. I couldn’t believe it. This was sports heaven.

At this point, we were all “friends” in my mind. My heart started pumping. I am the biggest Jordan fan. I have to ask a question. This is my moment to become besties with Michael!

I thought for a second about what to ask- and then it came to me. Oprah had kidded Jordan about a dance he did when he was young with Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant, Charles Oakley and Sedale Threatt to Kool Moe Dee’s song, How Ya like me now.

Jordan had laughed with Oprah yesterday. Maybe, he would do the dance again in front of us for old time sake?! Brilliant idea! Go ahead and ask it I told myself.

"“Hey Michael,” I said somewhat confidently. “How bout a little ‘How ya like me now’ dance ala Oprah?”"

Jordan turned. Glared at me. The smile was gone. Looked down. Paused. Then said disapprovingly while shaking his head back and forth, “Don’t jump in.”

Oh no. There would be no dance. We were no longer “friends”. Everyone else in the circle laughed. I was mortified. Jordan had put the first-time “reporter” dude, who tried to make a funny, in his rightful place. Jordan then chuckled, and walked off into the night.

I had prematurely ended the Jordan media session. He may have stayed for another couple of blissful reporter minutes. Instead, he was gone- weirdly challenged by 23-year-old me.

This was the famous competitive side of Jordan coming out. “Don’t jump in.” You don’t get to play and have fun at the expense of MJ. Lesson learned.