Champion Creed
Chapter 363 - 363 147 This is not just about winning or losing; this is a do-or-die competition Vote for me monthly!_2

363: 147: This is not just about winning or losing; this is a do-or-die competition (Vote for me monthly!)_2 363: 147: This is not just about winning or losing; this is a do-or-die competition (Vote for me monthly!)_2 But Michael Jordan was nearly 34 years old at this stage; he couldn’t possibly join the Lakers for a rebuild.

If it was about waiting for a team to rebuild, why didn’t he just stay with the Bulls?

If the coming years were destined to yield nothing, what was the point of continuing to play?

His strong competitive spirit made Jordan crave a comeback—he had to win again!

Thus, Jordan’s next destination was already quite clear.

While the whole world was discussing Jordan’s return, David Falk was already doing what he did best in front of Knicks General Manager Ernie Grunfeld—making demands.

But this time, the demands were not so numerous: Michael Jordan only had one requirement, the head coach had to be Phil Jackson.

Jordan didn’t trust that baldy, Jeff Van Gundy; he didn’t see him as someone who could manage a championship team.

A few years ago, that guy was just a little sidekick beside Pat Riley, without any prestige.

Phil Jackson was different; he knew how to control the locker room, knew how to make everyone find their place.

If he could manage Dennis Rodman, then there was no one in the world he couldn’t handle.

The Knicks, of course, didn’t think twice before agreeing to this condition.

What was changing a coach if it meant getting Michael Jordan?

Like that, the contract was finalized.

Michael Jordan signed with the Knicks for a one-year deal worth $12 million, and of course, there was also a $15 million endorsement from the Sheraton Hotel, but to avoid suspicion from the league, the endorsement contract would be signed later.

Jordan only signed for one year.

From now on, Michael Jordan would sign annually because what Jordan needed wasn’t future security, but immediate winning opportunities.

Michael Jordan did not make a big show with a TV broadcast for his “decision”.

Just like when he came out of retirement, he simply sent a fax to all the major TV stations.

In the fax, Jordan first passionately declared his love for the city of Chicago and how hard it was for him to leave.

Only at the end did he announce his decision to join the New York Knicks: “I love Chicago and the fans of Chicago, just like I love my family.

But due to basketball reasons, I had to make this tough decision.

However, no matter where I am, my heart will always be in Chicago.”

Indeed, even for a Jordan who had left a dynasty in Chicago, it was best to handle such matters gently—a simple fax was enough.

Definitely don’t aim for sensationalism or a so-called disruptive hour-long TV broadcast to stab your own fans in the heart.

Of course, it was clear that even just a fax still caused a huge sensation in the basketball world.

From the East Coast to the West Coast, every newspaper, every media outlet, and every fan was reporting one thing: Michael Jordan had really teamed up with Patrick Ewing!

Although rumors of Jordan joining the Knicks had been rampant, giving everyone a mental preparation,

rumors were still just rumors.

When it actually happened, even with the mental preparation, fans were still thrilled.

Chicago fans were already cursing up a storm.

But they weren’t all cursing Jordan.

Chicago fans were roughly divided into two camps: one believed that Jerry Krause was the number one idiot in the world.

Only he would force a rebuild while having Michael Jordan.

The other thought that Jordan had betrayed Chicago.

Of course, there were more cursing Krause.

His conflict with Jordan was well known, and over the years, he had come to be seen as a cunning businessman in the eyes of Bulls fans.

No matter what, Michael Jordan was undoubtedly under tremendous pressure.

He was the face of Chicago, his career highly tied to the Chicago Bulls.

Yet now, he had chosen to leave.

But Jordan had no choice, after two consecutive years of failure, diminishing influence, and the Bulls’ determination to rebuild, he had to start afresh elsewhere.

The day after signing with the Knicks, a procession, like something out of an action movie guarding the President of the United States, navigated through the tree-lined roads of suburban Hobe Sound, Florida.

Eventually, the convoy stopped outside a private golf club.

Michael Jordan got out of one of the SUVs, taking in the quiet and pleasant surroundings.

Playing golf here with good friends was one of his most relaxing moments during the off-season.

This year was different from previous years; this time, he didn’t invite many people to the golf gathering.

Charles Barkley was busy getting his second Olympic medal, and Joe Dumars was seriously considering retirement.

In short, in this destined-to-be turbulent summer, everyone was busy with their own matters.

So today, the only old friend accompanying Jordan on the golf course was Patrick Ewing.

This also counted as Jordan’s first meeting with Ewing after joining the Knicks.

They needed to talk.

However, since the two were already very familiar with each other, this meeting didn’t need the team’s arrangement.

A standard game of golf took several hours to complete.

The players were bound together during this time, and most of it was spent retrieving and looking for balls, making it an excellent occasion for a discussion.

Michael Jordan felt relaxed; his relationship with Ewing meant there was no awkwardness usually felt with a new teammate.