Retired UNC coach reveals Bulls legend was team’s ‘third choice’

Before Michael Jordan entered the NBA, he was already a big shot at the college level. He went to college at the University of North Carolina, coached by the legendary Dean Smith. He played there for three seasons before turning pro and entering the NBA.

In a recent podcast interview, a retired UNC coach revealed that the Bulls legend was the team’s “third option.”

A look back at Michael Jordan’s iconic game-winning shot

As a freshman at the University of North Carolina, Michael Jordan was a member of UNC’s 1982 national championship team. In the final 30 seconds of the 1982 NCAA final, Georgetown led UNC by one point. With 15 seconds left in the game, Jordan successfully hit a jumper with a score of 62-61. Even though he was just a freshman at the time, he looked like a seasoned veteran with an iron will. In a recent podcast episode “Chinese music”, retired University of North Carolina coach Roy Allen Williams talks about how Michael Jordan was the “third pick” on the final shot.

The host mentioned, “In the movie “AIR,” which came out earlier this year, Matt Damon’s character tries to go all-in on Michael Jordan, and he uses this play (his college game-winning shot ) as a sales ploy to convince the audience that his boss (who owns Nike) thinks MJ will be the best player of all time. “

Then he asked Roy Williams, “The rationale behind him (Matt Damon’s character) is that on the “drama,” Michael remains stationary as the drama unfolds. It’s almost like Messi in Major League Baseball right now. Michael was so calm, so present. It’s like Michael always knew he was going to get the ball.Can you confirm if this is the game plan?? “

The retired University of North Carolina coach replied: “Well, you’ll do anything to make money making a movie. “We pass the ball to James or Sams first or second, so Michael is the third option,” he explained with a smile. But that’s a good thing because we’re about to leave the crowd and I’m standing right next to Coach Smith. Coach Smith kicked Michael’s ass and said, “Michael, if you get it, kick it in.”. That’s what he said.“. The host added: “You could say Coach Smith instilled this belief in him that allowed him to be so calm and present.“.

Michael Jordan’s relationship with coach Dean Smith

Michael Jordan was lucky enough to receive a very good basketball program at the University of North Carolina. Coached by the legendary Dean Smith, the North Carolina basketball team was taught to value discipline and team above all else. They also taught him more than just one thing. Coach Dean Smith doesn’t have the offense’s more talented players focusing solely on shooting. He would allow them to improve other aspects of their game that were lacking.

Dean Smith always supported Michael Jordan’s ambition to win it all. He allowed Michael Jordan to be himself, even when UNC’s odds were stacked against him. Dean Smith is one of the most successful coaches in NCAA history. When he retired, he was the coach with the most wins. Even after his tragic death in 2015, he still ranks in the top 5 for “most wins” among basketball coaches in NCAA history.

The six-time NBA champion mentioned that besides his parents, Dean Smith is one of the most influential people he has ever met in his life. Jordan said: “He was more than a coach – he was a mentor, my teacher, my second father.“.

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