After the Christmas showdown, the sky had yet to darken, Jordan invited his "little brother," Scott Williams from North Carolina, to his ho for dinner to celebrate Christmas together.
Jordan always took special care of Scott Williams, not just because he was a North Carolina student, but also because Williams was a poor guy who had lost both his parents.
Williams graduated from Glenn Wilson High School in California, and was the top McDonald’s All-Arican player.
At 6 foot 10, he was strong and had an impressive wingspan. While in California, he was constantly compared to Ah Gan from years past.
UCLA wanted to sign him, as they didn’t want to miss out on any promising big n after they missed Ah Gan.
Jabbar and John Wooden both called him, hoping he would join UCLA.
But ultimately, it was Jordan, Jas Worthy, and Sam Perkins from North Carolina who convinced him to join North Carolina.
After spending a fairly good season at North Carolina and just starting his sophomore year in October 1987, his parents had a dispute due to emotional estrangent.
In the end, his father Al Williams shot his wife Rita in the car and then killed himself. Scott Williams lost his parents in an instant.
This tragedy caused him irreversible damage. He went from a basketball genius with exceptional talent to becoming diocre, no longer able to shine.
Krause chose him for the Bulls, which was a decision Jordan was very satisfied with, treating him like his own little brother.
During the final monts of tonight’s Christmas battle, as the Bulls led by a large margin, Phil Jackson considered putting Scott Williams in the ga.
But in the last two minutes, the referees did not call any fouls. The ball didn’t go out of bounds, and there were no stoppages in play.
Scott Williams sat on the floor for two minutes, waiting for his chance to enter the ga which never ca.
In the locker room, a vulnerable Williams shed tears.
If it had been Horace Grant or Scottie Pippen crying in the locker room, Jordan would have rcilessly teased them and probably taken a mocking photo for keepsake.
But Jordan wouldn’t do that to Williams; instead, he invited him to his ho to celebrate Christmas together, relax with so card gas, a cigar, and a beer after dinner.
They would chat about interesting stories from North Carolina, and talk about Coach Dean Smith. Jordan was soone who cherished mories, and cherished them very much.
Jordan promised Scott Williams, "As long as I’m with the Bulls, you’ll always be here. Don’t worry about work; just focus on playing well."
Williams nodded. He believed Jordan ant what he said. Jordan was a man of deep feelings, always treating his friends well.
However, Williams knew that the decisions of who stays and who leaves often weren’t up to Jordan, but Jerry Krause.
If it were up to Jordan, Oakley wouldn’t have left and Horace Grant would have stayed.
Still, he was grateful to Jordan. Without Jordan’s comfort and encouragent, it would have been difficult for him to endure in the competitive NBA.
Aside from rookies like Scott Williams, with whom he had old ties, Jordan didn’t care much for other newcors.
The only criteria he had for deciding on an attitude was whether you could play well on the court. Play well, and I’ll work well with you.
If not, I’m not inclined to bother with you, fend for yourself, or maybe you’ll be traded away one day.
BJ Armstrong experienced just that.
As a sophomore in the league, he began to feel the discomfort this season.
As a rookie, he could play backup with peace of mind, because he was new.
By his second year, he felt he had improved a lot and was outperforming John Paxson in training.
He should have been able to replace Paxson as the starter, rather than always being Paxson’s backup.
When communication didn’t work, he placed a trade request to Jerry Krause before the end of December 1991.
He said, "If you don’t want to start, if you don’t like the way I play, you can trade away instead of always keeping on the bench."
Jerry Krause brought Phil Jackson, who scolded BJ Armstrong rcilessly.
He told Armstrong that the reason he wasn’t starting wasn’t that he wasn’t good enough, but that he didn’t play the ga right.
"Your individual skills are stronger, but on the court, you’re playing for yourself, not the team. You’re only looking for opportunities to score for yourself, not to contribute to the team! Your job is to lead the second unit, but you always want more ball rights. Do you think you can replace Michael?"
"John is different. He knows how to be a part of the team and do what he’s supposed to do, which is why Michael and Pippen enjoy playing with him, not you!"
When Jordan learned that Armstrong wanted to leave, he didn’t care, maybe they could get soone better in return.
Jordan wasn’t like this in the past; he worked hard to ensure that everyone on the team gave their all, hoping to win all 82 gas and put in one hundred percent every night.
Now, Jordan knows that’s not possible, and he can only demand this of himself and a couple of like-minded individuals.
In fact, he occasionally felt a bit weary of basketball.
Entering December, the All-Star voting had started, with Jordan and Gan Guoyang leading the way.
When reporters tried to ask Jordan if he was participating in this year’s All-Star Slam Dunk Contest, they couldn’t get in touch with him at all.
He didn’t even want to tell the reporters, "I don’t want to participate anymore," he just outright rejected the question.
He was a little tired, a bit weary, and occasionally confused. He had attained money, honors, fa, but behind him trailed a full cart of doubts and resentnt.
Jordan thought, would it be better if he won the NBA championship this season? Would it?
On the New Year’s Eve of December 31, 1990, the Bulls had a rest day with no ga.
Jordan, during a break in a wild party, stepped into a secluded corner, pulled out his cell phone, and dialed a number.
The noise outside was still boisterous, and the droning ringtone seed sowhat feeble.
After ringing for a while, it finally connected.
"Sonny, it’s Michael."
"I know it’s you, spit it out fast!"
"Are you busy?"
"Yes, I’m doing three-point training."
"Are you entering this year’s three-point contest?"
"Oh no, I’m not interested, one three-point crown is enough. Nothing else, I just want to play ball. What do you want?"
"Nothing, I just kind of want to play too, about to go train. Looking forward to seeing you in Chicago, we’ll et in the finals in June."
"Finals, see you then! I’ve been waiting for you for a long ti, you always back out. Gotta go, hands are getting cold, happy new year Michael! Congratulations, this year you’re going to be number two in the world!"
"Fuck you, Sonny, happy new year."
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