When A C Green joined LA Lakers they were at their peak of stardom. A C Green: Iron Virgin, ESPN short 2016
‘We joked about how long he would last before he had sex.’ ibid. teammate
‘What a perfectly matched set of ball players.’ ibid.
‘The solution is abstinence.’ ibid. A C
‘Played sixteen years and missed less than five games.’ ibid. teammate
‘A C is iron-man to us.’ ibid.
A C Green set a record for playing 1,192 consecutive games. The most games in history by a virgin. ibid.
When I am playing hoops all of the stress and responsibility of my job here melts away. The Office US s1e5: Basketball, Pam to Michael, NBS 2005
He [Jack Ryan] had the talent to play with anybody. Losers s1e7: Black Jack, opening comment, Netflix 2019
I was obsessed with basketball. ibid. Jack
He just lit the park up. When he was going, I never see a white guy doing. ibid. contemporary
Harlem Wizards: Look at all the smiles he puts on all these kids’ faces. ibid.
Nine out of ten schools are cheating. The other one is in last place. The Scheme, Jerry Tarkanian, head coach UNLV 1973-1992, Sky Documentaries 2020
I wanna tell the bigger story … Everyone went in it with the best intention … ibid. Christian Dawkins
Ten men, including four assistant coaches at top tiers programs, were arrested on corruption charges. ibid. news
By the end we was over six figures between sneaker sponsors and local people to sponsor it … I’ve already got a shoe deal, I’ve already got money … ibid. Christian
Christian was incredibly well connected. ibid. observer
First round draft picks: There’s only 30 players every year in the entire world who get drafted in the first round and guaranteed money. ibid. Christian
Entering the 1997-98 NBA season, the Chicago Bulls had won five championships in the previous seven years. But as they sought their second three-peat, the future of the dynasty was in doubt. The Last Dance I, caption, Netflix 2020
I just want the franchise and Chicago Bulls to be respected as a team. ibid. Jordan TV interview
My name is Michael Jordan. I played with the Bulls from ’84 to ’98. ibid.
I guess what’s different is that … we’ve got Michael. ibid. fan
You have to wonder why Michael Jordan, who is surely the most popular player of our time, would be in effect be driven out of professional basketball. ibid. game commentary
We are entitled to defend what we have until we lose it. ibid. Jordan
As preparations began for the 1997-98 season, Jordan and the Bulls granted unprecedented access to a film crew for the entire years. ibid. caption
Jerry Krause was the general manager of the Bulls, and he was certainly at the root of what made the tension of that season so severe. ibid. Rick Telander, Chicago Sun-Times
… The man who hit the crucial shot for North Carolina down the stretch, Michael Jordan. Those three points proved to be the game winner … ibid. TV post-game interview
This young kid is not going to let us lose. ibid. Jordan, the number-three pick
A STAR IS BORN. ibid. Sports Illustrated front cover December 10 December 1984
If you don’t see Michael Jordan, you’re missing out on life. ibid. fan
What made me upset was I knew it was the end of the journey. And I never saw it ending like that. Jerry Krause made everything real murky when he said, This is Phil’s last year. We’re dismantling this team after this season. We’re basically relieved of our duties. The Last Dance II, Scottie Pippen
He’d been one of the best players in the game for many years. He’d done so much for the Bulls so his frustration boiled over. ibid. Kerr
We have to cover up for Scottie not being here. ibid. Jordan
That competitiveness within me started when I was a kid. ibid.
Entering the 1985-86 season, Michael Jordan led the Bulls in points, assists, rebounds and steals. He was the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year and poised to lead Chicago to a second consecutive playoff run … ‘When they did the CAT scan it was a clean break [left foot].’ ibid.
An incredible play-off performance. I’ve never seen it before and I’ve never seen it since. ibid. Larry Bird
Jordan is the most talented player in the NBA by far. ibid. Magic Johnson
Dennis Rodman is the best ball-on-ball defender I’ve ever seen in 30 years. The problem was he wasn’t always motivated to play. The Last Dance III, David Aldridge, ESPN reporter 1996-2004
I worked my ass off to get here … I created this monster. But uh nobody could say anything bad about me as a teammate. ibid. Dennis Rodman
1989 Eastern Conference first round game 5: Chicago Bulls 101-100 Cleveland Cavaliers: Bulls win series 3-2. ibid. caption
Bulls Knocked Out by Pistons. ibid. The Times Sports 3 June 1989 headline
By early January 1998 the Bulls are atop the Eastern Conference with a 24-11 record. But questions persist about Jordan’s plans beyond the 1997-98 season. ibid. caption
It was definitely an occupational hazard to be Dennis’s girlfriend. He was wild. The Last Dance IV, doll
We appreciate the fact that he’s a maverick. ibid. Phil of Dennis
If you’re getting ready for work right now, then you’re probably not Doug Collins. ibid. TV news 7th July 1989
The thing about Pip is, you stand next to him, you make him stronger. ibid. Jordan
In ’91 the Bulls were determined to be the tougher team. The pain of losing tot Detroit, again, the year before, brought a fury into that season that they had not had. ibid. Aldridge
The Chicago Bulls won 61 games in the 1991 regular season, earning home court advantage for the franchise’s first ever NBA finals appearance. They faced the 11-time champion Los Angeles Lakers. ibid. caption
If Phil’s not back, I’m certainly not back. ibid. Jordan
Kobe Bryant meanwhile, the youngest All Star in history at 19 years 5 months. The Last Dance V, Lakers v Bulls game introduction
The All Star game: he was the MVP. He’s still the star among stars. Even though there were explanations offered, people couldn’t understand why he was gonna step away. The public wanted him to keep going. ibid. admirer
Michael Jordan is as hot as a cabbage patch doll right now. ibid. sport TV report
The Bulls defeated the Lakers in 1991 to win their first championship. Only three franchises in NBA history had won back-to-back titles. ibid. caption
He knew how to steer momentum. He knew how to get the guys going. ibid. player
1991 NBA Finals Game I: Chicago Bulls 122-89 Portland Trail Blazers: Bulls lead series 1-0: ‘An NBA championship record: 35 points in the half.’ ibid. game commentary
Be Like Mike. Drink Gatorade. ibid. advert
Michael Jordan had become such a huge cultural figure in the early ’90s. He was so widely celebrated; inevitably there’s going to be someone trying to find dirt. The Last Dance VI, Dr Todd Boyd
He was really started to grate against the media onslaught. Michael becomes irate and refuses to talk to the media. ibid. Aldridge
After defeating the Knicks in the 1993 Eastern Conference finals, the Bulls prepared for their third consecutive NBA finals appearance. They faced the Phoenix Suns, and league MVP Charles Barkley. ibid. caption
‘Losing to Michael: there’s no shame in that.’ ibid. Barclay
The Bulls finish the regular season with a 62-20 record, tying the Utah Jazz for the best record in the league. They begin the playoffs by facing the New Jersey Nets. ibid. caption
The only question, how long can it last? The Last Dance VII, introductory comments
Meanwhile, Jordan’s [father’s] murder adds another bitter twist to the dark side of an all-American success story. ibid. news
Breaking story here. The Chicago Bulls have called a press conference for tomorrow morning, and there’s high speculation and a report that Michael Jordan will retire from basketball forever. ibid.