The performance Michael Jordan put on at the mass news conference that introduced the original Dream Team to the world’s journalists at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics is the stuff of legend.
Jordan, as always, was the star of stars on that team, which had created a frenzy and would find itself at the vortex throughout these Summer Games. Everyone wanted to see its players, to reach out to its players, simply to scream its players’ names. When they filed into the auditorium, the place was packed with better than 3,000 inquisitors and idolators.
Each member of the team had to be asked at least one question, that was the rule here, and so long minutes past before this dog-and-pony show reached Jordan. He answered one question, then a second, and now, in front of him, a reporter from Japan walked to a microphone and bowed slightly. “Mr. Jor-dan,” he said, “could you tell us, please, how does it feel to be perceived as a god?”
A titter swept through the crowd now and, on stage, Jordan’s face broke into a smile that was part surprise, part amusement. He then dropped his head onto the left shoulder of Charles Barkley, who was seated next to him, and for the barest of moments considered just what to say. What could he say that would not sound unctuous or, worse, arrogant?
“I never met a god, so I don’t know how it feels to be perceived as one,” he finally said. “But I take it as a compliment.”
Brilliant. Perfect. The total package on display, never to be forgotten.