I did something I almost never do, which is watch a Comcast Sports Classic broadcast, which is a fancy marketing term for a rerun. It was Game 5 of the 1997 NBA finals between the Bulls and the Utah Jazz. It wasn't the Bulls last championship which was the following year or even the last game of the '97 finals.
But what made it special and awe inspiring was Michael. Jordan had the flu, looked terrible, appeared to feel worse, and was throwing up before the game and during half time. During the various timeouts he slumped on the bench with ice packs on his neck, a towel over his head, often too weak to drink anything. Some how he managed to play 44 of the 48 minutes, score in the high thirties, rebound and defend with intensity, and even shake off the defender to score the game winning three pointer before collapsing into the arms of Scottie Pippin as the Bulls left the floor. He could barely talk in the interview after the game but said it was all about will. Indeed. I want to be like Mike. Even a little.
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