Michael Jordan's Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech

welcome, to, Michael, he's, one, of, his basketball, role, models, the, hall-of-famer known, as, Skywalker, class, of, 1996, David Thompson, ladies, and, gentlemen, Michael Jordan

[Applause]

thank, you thank, you I, told, all, my, friends, I, come, up, here, and say, thank, you, and, walk, off, I, can't

there's, no, way, I, got, so, many, people, I can, think, in, all, the, videos, you, never

just, saw, me, so, scottie, pippen, every chance, if, I, want I've, had, a, lot, of, questions, over, the last, four, weeks, and, everybody's, saying

well, why, did, you, pick, david, thompson i, know, why, david, knows, why, and, maybe, you guys, don't, know, why, but, as, I, grew, up, in North, Carolina, I, was, 11, years, old

1974, I, think, when, you, guys, won, the championship, and, I, was, an, anti, Carolina guy, hated, UNC, here, I, ended, up, at, UNC, but

I, was, I, was, in, love, with, David, Thompson not, just, for, the, game, of, basketball, but in, terms, of, what, he, represented, you, know

we, all, as, Vivian, say, I, said, we, go through, our, trials, and, tribulations, and

he, did, and, I, was, inspired, by, him, and when, I, called, him, and, asked, him, to, stand up, for, me, I, know, I, shocked, the, out of, him

I, know, I, do [Applause] but, he, was, very, very, kind, and, said, yeah

I, do, it and, now, that, wasn't, disrespect, or, into my, Carolina, guys, they, all, know, them, I'm true, blue, Carolina, guy, to, the, heart, you know, Coach, Smith, Larry, Brown

Sam, Perkins, James, Worthy, you, know, all, of those, guys, well, it, all, starts, with, my, my parents, you, guys, see, all, the, highlights

what, is, it, what, is, it, about, me, that, you guys, don't, know, as, I, set, up, in, on watching, all, the, other, recipients, stand up, and, they, give, their, the, history, and so, many, things, I, didn't, know, about, Jerry

Sloan, I, know, he, lived, on, the, farm, but, I didn't, know, he, was, in, a, you, know, small classroom, with, from, first, grade, to, the eighth, grade, even, David, Robinson

obviously, I've, known, David, for, some, time and, you, know, I, found, some, some, things out, about, him, and, even, with, John, I, found some, bad, things, or, good, things, about, him

and, it, even, did, if, I, know, I'm, dead, for years, and, her, and, my, father, and, my, mom spent, a, lot, of, time, on, the, nightkin trips, and, you, know, I, found, out, a, lot, of good, things, about, her, but, what, about, me

that, you, guys, don't, know, I, got, two brothers, James, and, Larry, they're, five four, or, five, five, in, heights

they, gave, me, all, I, could, ever, ask, for, as a, brother, in, terms, of, competition, you know, you, think, that, you, know, he's, my brother, Larry, is, a, is, ideal, the situation, with, small, things, come, in

small, packages this, dude, fought, me, every, single, day, and to, the, extent, that, my, mother, used, to come, out, and, make, us, come, in, because, we

were, fighting, way, too, much, and, my, older brother, was, always, gone, he, served, in, the Army, for, 31, years

[Applause] and, the, competition, didn't, stop, there

my, sister, who's, one, year, younger, than, me Rob, never, wanted, to, be, home, by, herself she, took, classes, extra, classes, to graduate, from, high, school, with, me, to, go

to, University, of, North, Carolina, with, me and, to, graduate, fired, than, me, and, you guys, didn't, ask, me, where, my, competition or, my, competitive, nature, came, from, it

came, from, them, it, came, from, my, older sister, she, was, not, here, today, and, my father, he, was, not, here, today obviously, he's, with, us, in, all, of, us, I mean, my, competitive, nature, is, gone, a

long, way, from, the, first, time, I, picked, up any, sport, baseball, football, ran, track basketball, anything, to, miss, class, I

played, it, when, you, think, about, you, know so, they, started, to, fire, at, me, you, know that, fire, started, with, my, parents, and then, you, know, as, I, moved, on, in, my, career

people, added, wood, to, that, fire, coach Smith, and, what, else, can, I, say, about, him you, know, he's, a, legendary

[Applause] and, then, there's, Leroy, Smith, now, you guys, think, that's, a, myth

Leroy, Smith, was, a, guy, when, I, got, cut, he made, the, team, on, the, varsity, team, and he's, here, tonight, he's, still, the, same six, seven, guy, he's, not, any, bigger he's, probably, his, game, is, about, the, same

but, he, started, the, whole, process, for, me because, when, he, made, the, team, and, I didn't, I, wanted, to, prove, not, just, to Leroy, Smith, not, just, to, myself, but, to the, coach, who, actually, picked, Leroy, over

me, I, want, to, make, sure, you, understood you, made, a, mistake, dude and, then, there's, Buzz, Peterson, my roommate, now, when, I, first, met, buzz, all, I heard, about, was, this, kid, from, Asheville

North, Carolina, who's, the, Player, of, the Year, I'm, thinking, well, he, never, played against, me, yet, so, how, did, he, become player, of, the, year, is, that, uh is, that, some, type, of, media, you, know

exposure, and, I, came, from, Wilmington, you know, we, had, two, channels, channel, ABC, and channel, 7, channel, NBC, that, was, it, I never, saw, NBA, sports, at, all, when, I, grew

up, you, didn't, have, CBS, affiliate, in North, Carolina, and, Warmington, so, Buzz Peterson, became, a, dot, on, my, board, and when, I, got, the, chance, to, meet, Buzz

Peterson, on, the, basketball, court, playing the, person, buzz, was, a, great, person, is, it wasn't, a, fault, of, his, it, was, just, my competitive, nature, I, didn't, think, he could, beat, me, or, he, was, better, than, me

as, a, basketball, player, and, he, became, my roommate, and, from, that, point, on, he became, a, focal, point, not, knowingly

he, didn't, know, it, but, he, did, and, coach Smith, the, day, that, he, was, on, the, Sports Illustrated, and, he, named, four, starters

and, he, didn't, name, me, that, burned, me, up because, I, thought, I'd, be, long, on, that Sports, Illustrated, now, he, had, his, own vision, about, giving, a, freshman, that exposure, and, I, told, you, understand, that

but, from, a, basketball, sense, I, deserved to, be, on, that, Sports, Illustrated, and, he understand and, it, didn't, stop, there, you, know, my competitive, nature, went, right, into, the

pros, I, get, to, the, Bulls, which, I, was, very proud, that, at, the, time, Jerry, Reynolds didn't, on, the, team it, was, another, organization, and, Rob thorn, drafted, me, Kevin, Locke, he, was, my

first, coach, Kevin, used, to, take, practices and, put, me, in, starting, five, and, we, you know, he'd, make, it, a, competitive, thing where, the, losing, team, have, to, run, so, now we, are, on, the, winning, team, and, halfway

in, the, game, halfway, in, the, situation, he would, switch, me, to, the, losing, team, so, I take, that, as, a, competitive, thing, but, you trying, to, test, me, and, by, nine, times, out

of, ten, the, second, team, would, come, back and, win, no, matter, what, he, did so, I, appreciate, Kevin, lock, you, for giving, me, that, challenge, you, know providing, that, type, of, fire, with, him, and

he, threw, another, log, on, that, fire, for, me Jerry, Reinsdorf, I, mean, what, else, can, I say, the, next, year, I, come, back, I, broke, my foot, I, was, out, for, 65, games, and, when, I

came, back, I, want, to, play, you, know, in, the doctors, that, came, up, with, this, whole theory, that, you, can, only, play, seven minutes, a, game, but, I'm, practicing, two hours, a, day, you, know, I'm, saying, well, I

don't, think, I, don't, know, that, I, don't agree, with, that, math, you, know, and, back then, it, was, about, whoever, had, the, worst record, get, the, most, balls, and, the ping-pong, balls, and, you, know, you, can

decide, what, pick, you're, gonna, have, but, I didn't, care, about, that, I, just, wanted, to win, I, wanted, to, make, the, playoffs, you know, I, wanted, to, keep, that, energy, going in, Chicago, so, I, had, to, go, in, his, office and, sit, down, with, him, I, said, Jerry, you

know, I, feel, like, I, should, play, more, than 14, minutes, in, practice, in, two, hours he, says, MJ, I, think, I, have, to, protect, me long-term, of, investment, that, we've invested, in, you, that's, the, day, I, flew, I really, think, I, should, be, able, to, play, he

said, let, me, ask, you, this, you, say, if, you had, a, headache, and, you, know, at, that, time it, was, about, ten, percent, chance, that, I can, reinjure, my, my, ankle, or, my, foot, he

says, if, you, have, a, headache, and, you, got a, ten, tablets, and, one, of, them, is, code, it would, sign, I, would, you, take, the, tylenol and, I, looked, at, him, I, said, how, bad, is

the, headache depending, on, how, bad, the, headache, Gerry looked, at, me, and, so, you, okay, I, guess that's, a, good, answer, you, can, go, back, and play, you, let, me, allow, to, go, back, and, fly

and, you, know, Gerry, provided, a, lot, of different, obstacles, for, me, but, at, the same, time, the, guy, gave, me, an, opportunity to, perform, at, the, highest, level, in, terms of, basketball, and, the, Bulls, whole, Bulls

organization, you, know, they, did, a, great justice, for, me, and, for, all, my, teammates believe, me, I, had, a, lot, of, teammates, over the, 14, years, that, I, played, for, the, Bulls and, you, know, I, respected, each, and, every

one, I'm, I, just, wanted, to, win, you, know about, how, you, look, at, it, and, then, the loan, came, Doug, Collins, who, was, caught, in the, whole, mix, of, this, Jerry, Krause, and and, Jerry, Reinsdorf, and, you, know, at, the

same, time, he, you, know, when, I, was, trying to, play, in, the, summertime, he, said, well you, know, you're, part, of, the, the organization, or, the, organization, said you, can't, play, in, the, summertime, I, said Doug, yet, and, read, the, fine, print, in, my

contract, in, my, contract, say, I, had, to love, the, game, clause, that, means, I, can play, anytime, I, want, anyplace, I, want, and Doug, looked, at, me, and, said, yeah, you're right, you're, right, and, that's, how, we

became, you, know, a, little, closer, in, terms of, Doug, Collins, in, myself, and, you, know Jerry, Krause, is, right, there, and, Jerry's not, here, obviously, I, don't, you, know, I don't, know, who, invited, him, I, didn't, but

uh, I, hope, he, understands, I, hope, he understands, it, goes, a, long, way, and, he was, a, very, competitive, person, I, was, a very, competitive, person he, said, organization, wins, championships

I, said, I, didn't, see, organization, playing with, the, flu, in, Utah, I, didn't, see, them playing, with, you, know, with, the, bad, ankle granite, granite, I, think, organizations

put, together, teens, but, at, the, end, of, the day, the, team's, gotta, go, out, and, play, you know, so, in, essence, I, think, the, players win, the, championship, and, the organization, has, something, to, do, with, it don't, get, me, wrong, but, don't, try, to, put

their, organization, above, the, players because, at, the, end, of, the, day, the players, still, got, to, go, out, there, and perform, you, guys, got, a, pass, but, I, still

gotta, go, out, and, play, obviously, you, see my, kids, you, know, Jeffrey, Marcus, jasmine I, love, you, guys, you, guys, represent, a, lot of, me, a, lot, of, different, personalities

your, mom, you, represent, them, as, well, you know, I, think, that, you, guys, have, a, heavy burden, I, wouldn't, want, to, be, you, guys, if I, had, to, you, know, because, of, all, the expectations, that, you, have, to, deal, with

I, mean, look, around, you, the, charge, $1,000 tickets, for, this, thing, for, this, whole event it, used, to, be, 200, bucks, but, I, paid, it you, know, I, had, no, choice, I, had, a, lot, of

family, a, lot, of, friends, I, had, to, bring in, so, thank, you, all, the, frame, for, the for, grazing, ticket, price, I, guess, but, you

guys, I, love, you, guys, you, guys, just, don't know, you, got, a, whole, host, of, people supporting, you, family, friends, people that, you, don't, know, relatives, coming, out of, the, Woodworks, you, know, no, matter, how

you, look, at, it, but, I, think, we, taught, you right, and, your, mom, and, I, and, I, hopefully you, can, make, the, right, decision, when, the time, comes, my, mom, what, that's, kind, of see, my, mom, my, mom, never, stays, still, you

think, I'm, busy, she's, always, on, the, go and, without, her, she's, a, rock, she's unbelievable, she's, right, now, she, takes over, two, job she's, unbelievable, woman, I, mean, if, I, got

anybody's, nagging, me, each, and, every, day it, is, her, and, she, she, constantly, keeps me, focus, on, the, good, things, about, life you, know, how, people, perceive, you, how, you respect, them, you, know, what's, good, for

the, kids, what's, good, for, you, you, know how, you, perceive, publicly, second, thought take, a, pause, and, think, about, you, know things, that, you, do, and, it, all, came, from my, parents, you, know, came, from, my, mom, and

she's, still, at, this, stage, I'm, 46, years old, she's, still, parenting, me, today, and that's, a, good, thing, about, that, lady, I love, her, to, death, I, love, her, to, death and, I'm, gonna, thank, a, couple, people, that

you, guys, probably, wouldn't, even, think that, I, would, think, Isiah, Thomas, Magic Johnson, George, Gervin, now, they, say, it was, a, so-called, freeze, out, in, my, rookie

season, I, wouldn't, have, never, guessed but, you, guys, gave, me, the, motivation, and say, you, know, what, everything, I, haven't proved, enough, to, these, guys, I, gotta prove, to, them, that, I, deserve, what, I've

gotten, on, this, level, and, no, matter, what people, may, have, said, if, it, was, a, rumor, I never, took, it, as, truth, but, you, guys never, froze, me, out, because, I, was, just happy, to, be, there, no, matter, how, you, look

at, it, you, know, and, from, that, point forward, you, know, I, wanted, to, prove, to you, magic, Larry George, everybody, that, I, deserve, to, be, on this, love, as, much, as, anybody, else, and, I

hopefully, over, the, period, of, my, career I've, done, that, without, a, doubt, you, know even, in, the, Detroit, years, we've, done that Pat, Riley, I, mean, you, and, I, we, go, way

back, I, still, remember, in, our, wife, you remember, in, a, wife, with, you, and, I, I, was coming, in, you, would, I, guess, leaving, and you, decided, to, stay, a, couple, extra, days but, you, were, in, my, suite, and, they, came

and, they, told, you, you, had, to, get, out, of my, suite, and, you, slit, a, note, underneath my, door, although, you, had, to, move, you, did

move, this, little, note, saying, I, enjoyed the, competition, congratulations but, we, will, meet, again, and, I, take, the heart, in, that, because, I, think, in, all

honesty you're, just, competitive, as, I, am, you, know even, from, a, coaching, standpoint, and you've, challenged, me, every, time, I, play the, Knicks, the, heat, and, I, don't, think

you, with, the, Lakers, but, any, time, I played, against, you, you, had, your, Jordan Stoppers, on, your, team, yeah, John, Starks who, I, loved

I, even, had, my, friend, Charles, Oakley saying, we, can't, go, to, lunch, we, can't, go to, dinner, because, Pat, doesn't, believe, in fraternizing, between, the, two, of, us, and

this, guy, hit, me, harder, than, anybody, else in, the, league, and, he, was, my, best, friend Patrick, Ewing, we, had, the, same, agent, we came, at, the, same, time, but, we, couldn't, go to, lunch, why, is, this, you, think, I'm, a

play, against, Patrick, any, different, and, I play, against, anybody, else, no, no, and, then you, had, your, little, guy, who, was, on, your staff, who, became, the, Knicks, coach, after

you, Jeff, Van, Gundy, he, said, I, conned, the players, I, befriended, them, and, then, I attack, him, on, the, basketball, court, where

did, that, come, from, I, just, so, happened, to be, a, friendly, guy, I, get, along, with everybody, but, at, the, same, time, the, light comes, on, I'm, competitive, to, anybody, you know, you, know, so, you, guys, I, must, say

thank, you, very, much, for, giving, me, that motivation, that, I, desperately, needed Phil, Jackson, Phil, Jackson, is, uh, to, me, is that, he's, a, professional, Dean, Smith, you

know, he, challenged, me, mentally, not, just physically, you, know, he, understood, the game, along, with, Tech's, winner, they taught, me, a, lot, about, the, basketball game, text, being, the, specialist, you, know

I, could, never, please, text, and, I, love text, Texas, not, here, but, you, know, I, know he's, here, in, spirit, he, is, I, can, remember a, game, coming, off, the, basketball, court

and, we, were, down, I, don't, know, five, to ten, points, and, I, go, off, about twenty-five, points, we, come, back, and, win the, game and, we're, walking, off, the, floor, and, Tex look, at, me, and, said, you, know, there's, no I, in, team

I, said, Tex, a, doc, it's, not, a, nineteen, but it's, I, and, win I, think, you, got, my, message, I'll, do anything, to, win, you, know, if, that, means we, play, team, format, we, win, that, means, I

have, to, do, whatever, I, have, to, do, you're gonna, win, no, matter, how, you, look, at, it and, then, you, had, all, your, media, and, they says, Oh, scoring, champion, can't, win, it can't, win, in, an, NBA, title, oh, well, you

know, you, just, you, know, as, good, as, Magic Johnson, not, as, good, as, Larry, Bird, you're good, but, you're, not, as, good, as, those guys, you, know, I, had, to, listen, to, all this, and, that, puts, so, much, wood, on, that

fire, that, it, kept, me, each, and, every, day trying, to, get, better, as, a, basketball player, now, I'm, not, saying, they, they, were wrong, I, may, look, at, him, from, a, different perspective, you, know, but, at, the, same

time, as, a, basketball, player, I'm, trying to, become, the, best, that, I, can, you, know and, for, someone, like, me, who, achieved, a lot, in, over, the, time, of, my, career, you

look, for, any, kind, of, messages, that people, may, say, or, do, to, get, you motivated, to, play, the, game, of, basketball at, the, highest, level, because, that, that

is, when, I, feel, like, I, excel, at, my, best and, my, last, example, of, that, and, the, last one, that, you, guys, probably, have, seen, I

hate, to, do, it, to, him, but, he's, such, a nice, guy, and, when, I, first, met, Bryon Russell

John, and, John, in, college, remember, this, I was, in, Chicago, in, 1994, we, I, was, working out, for, baseball, they, were, came, down, for a, workout, and, shooting, around, I, came over, to, say, hello, and, at, this, time, I, had

no, thought, to, coming, back, and, playing the, game, of, basketball, and, Brian, Russell came, over, to, me, and, say, you, know, what man, why'd, you, quit, why'd, you, quit, you know, I, could, guard, you, if, I, ever, see, you in, a, pair, of, shorts, if, I, ever, seen, a

very, short you, reminisce, Johnny, and, so, when, I, did

decide, to, come, back, in, 1995, and, then, we played, Utah, 96, I'm, at, the, center, circle and, we, and, and, Brian, Russell, sitting next, to, me, and, I, look, over, to, Brian, sees

nobody, saw, conversation, you, made, in, 1994 about, when, you, I, wish, I, think, I, can guard, you, I, can, shut, you, down, I, would love, to, play, against, you, were, you, about

to, get, your, chance, and, believe, me, ever since, that, day, he, got, his, chance, I, don't know, I'll, succeed, in, these, words, but, I think, he, had, his, chance, and, believe, me, I relished, on, that, point, and, from, this, day

forward, if, I, ever, see, him, in, shorts, I'm coming, at, it [Applause] I, know, you, guys, got, to, go, I, know, I've been, up, here, a, lot, longer, than, I, told, my friends, I, was, gonna, be, up, here, I, cried, I

was, supposed, to, get, up, and, say, thank, you and, walk, off, and, I, didn't, even, do, that so, I, appreciate, it, thank, you, very, much, I appreciate, it as, I, close, the, game, of, basketball, has

been, everything, to, me my, refuge, my, place, I've, always, gone, when I, needed, to, find, comfort, and, peace, it's been, a, source, of, intense, pain, and, source

of, most, intense, feelings, of, joy, and satisfied, satisfaction, and, one, the, norm you, can, imagine, it's, been, a, relationship that, has, evolved, over, time, and, it's

given, me, the, greatest, respect, and, love for, the, game, it's, provided, me, with, the platform, to, share, my, passion, with millions, in, a, way, I, neither, expected, nor

could, have, imagined, in, my, career, I, hope that, it's, given, the, Mane's, of, people that, I've, touched, the, optimism, and, the desire, to, achieve, their, goals, through

hard, work, perseverance, and, positive attitude, although, I'm, recognized, with this, tremendous, honor, of, being, in, the

Basketball, Hall, of, Fame, I, don't, look, at this, moment, as, a, defining, end, to, my relationship, with, the, game, of, basketball it's, simply, a, continuation, of, something

that, I, started, a, long, time, ago, one, day you, might, look, up, and, see, me, playing, the game, at, 50, oh, don't, laugh

never, say, never, because, limits, like fears, are, often, just, an, illusion, thank

you, very, much

[Applause] you