Monday, April 06, 2009

MJ and Dean

"There's no way you guys would have got a chance to see Michael Jordan play without Dean Smith" - Michael Jordon, upon his election to the Basketball Hall of Fame today

I'm just always amazed at the reverence that former players have for Dean Smith. At one game this year, I think it was the Virginia game, they had all of the UNC players who had been elected to the Hall of Fame present (MJ was not yet elected) for a ceremony of recognition. And during the ceremony, everyone deferred to Smith. The players all pointed to him, and I think it was Billy Cunningham who even started bowing to him. Dean, of course, was embarrassed and in "aww shucks" mode. It's impressive how much his players admire him.

No comments: