“You know, Scottie Pippen and I, we were just at Michael’s 50th birthday party, hanging out for a week, and we were talking. I’m going to tell you what Scottie said. I’m going to tell you what Scottie said. Scottie said that LeBron would’ve kicked MJ’s ass.”

After the expected cheering and applause, Mourning continued:

“I said, I said ‘Scottie, you’re right.'”

Following the laughter elicited by that comment, Mourning provided a little clarification:

“I said, ‘but because LeBron is my size.’ I mean, he’s 265, so when he’s playing point guard, it’s like a freight train coming. I couldn’t imagine doing the things he’s doing at my size.”

Nothing groundbreaking here. This is the standard response by people in the Pro-LeBron camp of this particular debate. Size and strength would be LeBron’s primary advantage in this theoretical one-on-one battle. But it’s all theoretical and not really worth digging into too deeply, even if people will never be able to stop taking about it.

Hey, I was a kid once, so I know action figure battles are crazy fun. When you have the toys, you want to see Hulk versus Superman. Snake Eyes versus Storm Shadow. Optimus Prime versus Megatron.

Past that, you sort of expect Mourning — who is considered one of the great players in Miami Heat history — to side with LeBron. That said, it was a little surprising that dragged Pippen into it, given that this was probably a private comment Scottie never intended to see in print. He’ll see it now.

Of course, Pippen did provide his own public commentary on this debate a couple years back:

“Michael Jordan is probably the greatest scorer to play the game. But I may go as far as to say LeBron James may be the greatest player to ever play the game because he is so potent offensively that not only can he score at will but he keeps everybody involved. You have to be on your P’s and Q’s on defense. No guy on the basketball court is a threat to score with LeBron James out there. Not only will LeBron dominate from the offensive end as well, but he’s also doing it on the defensive end, which really makes him the complete package. He’s able to get in those passing lanes, shoot those gaps and create transition opportunities where he is pretty much unstoppable.”

Naturally, the Pro-Jordan camp exploded at this seeming betrayal, and even former Bulls player Horace Grant (and good friend of Pippen) spoke up:

“Pip is my man, and we will always be close but I totally disagree. LeBron is going to be one of the top players to ever play the game. But Michael Jeffrey Jordan, who we bumped heads with at times, is I think in my era, the best who ever played the game. I’m kind of at a loss for words because Michael Jordan … when you win numerous MVPs and you’ve taken the team to six championships — and probably could have been eight if he didn’t retire those two years — and MVPs in the playoffs … and he made us better. Believe me, he made myself, Scottie, B.J. [Armstrong], even Bill Cartwright who I love, he made us better players. He gave us that confidence. But first we had to earn his trust. And once we earned his trust you saw championship after championship.”

Things got ugly enough that Pippen eventually defended himself with the following tweets:

“For all of you that don’t know, I played the game you keep watching and cheering.”

And:

“Don’t get me wrong, MJ was and is the greatest. But LeBron could by all means get to his level someday.”

None of what any of these men said is all that unreasonable. People have opinions and they’re free to express them. Personally, I think these “versus” debates do a disservice to NBA history and the players themselves, but they’re always fun talking points…even if in the end none of it really means anything.

But MJ was the best.

The post Alonzo Mourning sounds off on the LeBron versus MJ debate appeared first on Bulls By The Horns.

Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan surprised his former teammate Scottie Pippen for Pippen’s 47th birthday party Monday night. Pippen’s wife, Larsa, planned the secret bash at Chicago hot spot Sunda. Bulls family, including team president Michael Reinsdorf and his wife, Nancy, NBA power broker William “World Wide Wes” Wesley, Antoine Walker, Ahmad Rashad, and new Bulls recruit and Chicago native Nazr Mohammed gathered to celebrate at the club with Pippen. Sources told us the fun night ended with a dance-off between Jordan and Pippen to the Trey Songz and Fabolous song, “Say Ahh.”

What? No word on who won the dance-off? My guess is Pippen got toasted. After all, Michael Jordan’s competitive nature and killer instinct are legendary. And remember those Hanes commercials he used to be in with Kevin Bacon? Bacon’s dancing skills speak for themselves…and I’d be willing to bet he taught MJ a move or two during breaks on their commercial shoots.

Or maybe not.

Also no word on whether Antoine Walker spent the party jacking up three-pointers. My gut tells me “yes.”

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Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf believes that, as long as they stay healthy, these Bulls could win “at least four championships.”

Members of the Celtics got to spend time with Barack Obama on Tuesday night before a fundraiser at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and the President wanted to talk about the Bulls. Specifically, Obama thanked the Celtics for “giving” coach Tom Thibodeau to the Bulls.

Talk about buzz.

With all that serving as a backdrop, the Bulls blew out the Bobcats in Charlotte, winning for the 11th time in 13 games, moving to within 1.5 games of the Celtics for the best record in the Eastern Conference, and clinching their sixth playoff berth in the last seven seasons.

Of course, no “dream come true” moment is complete without a sobering dose of reality. In this case, the reality check was delivered in the form of a flagrant foul by Kwame Brown that put Carlos Boozer on the ground and injured the big man’s ankle in the process.

The incident occurred with 4:24 left in the game and the Bulls leading 92-75. Considering the circumstances — Chicago was in full control and Taj Gibson (14 points, 6-for-7) was playing better than Boozer (10 points, 4-for-9) anyway — you have to wonder why Carlos was still in the game at all. But then again, Thibodeau has had a habit this season of leaving his starters in the game longer than absolutely necessary.

I’m not blaming Thibs. Not exactly. But Rose was sitting at the time. Why not Booz?

Oh well. No use crying over milk that’s already been spilled. Which means we have to move on to the more important subject: The extent of Boozer’s injury.

It sure looked bad, didn’t it? Boozer walked to the bench under his own power. But he declined to shoot his free throws — Kyle Korver knocked them down in his place — and limped gingerly to the locker room before play could resume. His night was over. And his season could be on hold for…nobody knows how long.

Said Thibodeau: ‘‘The X-rays were negative. It’s too early. We’ll just have to wait and see tomorrow what type of swelling he has. It’s his left ankle. He came down pretty hard. I’m hoping it’s just his ankle.’’

Well, that tells us a fat lot of nothing.

Said Joakim Noah (12 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks): “[Boozer] said it hurts but it’s not too bad or broken or anything. Carlos brings a lot because of what he can do offensively. But we’re confident and capable. Taj is a helluva player. He’s someone you can rely on to step up and play physical and tough.”

Added Rose (20 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 steals): “It’s going to hurt us [if Boozer is out], but we still have to go out there and play the game. It’s going to take a lot more energy, a lot more focus going into games. And people are going to have to step up. If it happens, Taj did a great job when Carlos was out before. People are going to have to play big minutes. I think our team should be fine, but I hope he plays the next game.”

I hope so, too. But I also hope Taj is ready. Just in case.

Said Gibson: “I’ve been in this role many times the last two years. I have to get my mind right if it does happen, and just play my game, play with a lot of energy, and just try to hold it down while he’s down.”

As for the game, this was one of those “take care of business” wins. The Bobcats were without leading scorer Stephen Jackson (hamstring), sixth man Tyrus Thomas (knee surgery), backup center Joel Przybilla (knee) and reserve guard Matt Carroll (ankle). Charlotte shot lights out in the first half, but Chicago held them to 35 points in the second half to win going away.

Ultimately, the Bulls wore the Bobcats down with their defense and depth. Speaking of which, the reserves poured in 51 points, led by Kyle Korver (20 points on 7-for-10 shooting), Gibson (who, again, scored 14 points on 6-for-7 shooting) and Ronnie Brewer (10 points on 4-for-8 shooting).

Said Thibodeau: “We needed them. The first half, offensively we were good, defensively we were poor, very poor. The second half, the defense started coming around, and the bench was great. Carlos got in the early foul trouble, so that hurt us, but Taj came in, did a great job. Ronnie was playing really well, and, of course, Kyle, so they did a great job and C.J. was running the team well.”

The bench has been great this season. It really has. And it’ll have to be even better if Boozer has to miss many games. Okay, “have to be” may be overstating things. But the Bulls are trying to hold onto the second seed in the East while setting sights on the first seed. So, assuming the expectations remain high, the reserves will have to help carry the team through this crucial late-season stretch.

Jerry Reinsdorf, quote machine:
“If you don’t see something special in Derrick Rose, then you’re blind. We have an outstanding coach, an outstanding bunch of players, the team is deep, and if we stay healthy we have an awfully good chance of winning at least four championships.”

Michael Jordan, quote machine:
“[Rose] deserves [the MVP]. He’s playing that well. He deserves it. Without a doubt. And if he doesn’t get it, now he’ll see how I felt a lot of years.”

Extras:
Recap, Box Score, Play-By-Play, Shot Chart, Photos.

The post Expectations Rise: Bulls 101, Bobcats 84 appeared first on Bulls By The Horns.

Here’s the story so far. During his Hall of Fame induction speech, MJ called out Bryon Russell: “From this day forward, if I ever see him in shorts, I’m coming at him.” Russell immediately accepted that challenge: “I’ll play his [naughty word for butt] right now. This is a call-out for him to come play me.”

Now Brendt Andersen, owner of the D-League’s Utah Flash, wants in on the action. He’s even willing to sponsor the duel and donate $100,000 to charity to make it happen. On his blog, Andersen said: “So here is my offer: Michael Jordan vs. Bryon Russell — 1 on 1 challenge to 21. I will personally donate $100,00 to charity in the name of the winner. We can do it during the half time of the Utah Flash home opener on December 7th. … I have already called BRuss directly and spoken to him about the event. I have also sent a message through a mutual friend to MJ to invite him. He is going to be a little more difficult to convince but not impossible. This would be a good PR move for him following his speech. Back up those words that anytime you see BRuss with his shorts on you are ‘coming at him.'”

I have to agree with Matt Watson of NBA FanHouse on this one…it’s never going to happen. Said Watson: “Jordan may be the most competitive person alive, but he’s also not one to be publicly bullied. And considering he reportedly earned $45 million last year, $100,000 is less than a day’s pay for him, so it’ll take a lot more than that for him to risk damaging his pride. If Jordan were to actually get involved with a charity exhibition, it’d likely be on pay-per-view with a dozen sponsors and a commemorative shoe, not halftime entertainment at a D-League game.”

It’s a lose-lose situation for Jordan. He acted like a bully during his speech and took heat for it. Now, if MJ refuses to face Russell or simply ignores the challenge, he’ll look like he’s backing down…and the whole point of his speech was that he never backed down from anybody who challenged or doubted him. He defeated them all.

Will he do it this time?

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There’s no question that this truly one-of-a-kind item is worth every penny of the $16,500 asking price, and the free shipping makes it a real bargain. You can purchase with confidence too, because it comes with a certificate of authenticity. Unfortunately, the album itself is not included.

The post Michael Jordan-signed Thriller cover! appeared first on Bulls By The Horns.

I don’t know if Michael Jordan ever studied Genghis Khan, but he lived his basketball life according to that philosophy. Well, maybe not the “gather into your bosom his wives and daughters” part. But MJ was, if nothing else, a ruthless basketball assassin. He specialized in vanquishing his enemies. Heck, he delighted in it. More than anything else, that’s what drove him to win six championships and become the greatest player in the history of the game.

It’s also what drove him to give a rather surprising speech at his Hall of Fame induction. Jordan, with all eyes on him once again, laid some serious waste to his enemies and even a few friends: Jerry Krause, the “freeze-out gang” (Isiah Thomas, Magic Johnson and George Gervin), Kevin Loughery, Pat Riley, Jeff Van Gundy, Bryon Russell, the “media naysayers,” his old high school coach…even Dean Smith, a father figure who didn’t choose Jordan to appear on a Sports Illustrated cover in 1982 because he was a freshman, was mildly chastised for crossing the GOAT.

A lot of people found MJ’s speech to be in bad taste. (For example, here, here, here, here, and here.) Others, like Michael Wilbon, said that was just Mike being Mike.

For my part, I was a little surprised to realize that (seemingly) inner peace hasn’t been achieved by a man who has conquered the world. He still needed one last pound of flesh, one last opportunity to drive his enemies before him. Or maybe that was the most fitting tribute of all. After all, threats, challenges, competition…those were the things — moreso than friends, family, coaches, agents, shoe contracts, etc. — that made Michael Jordan the greatest there ever was. And that’s what Jordan told us. In his own special way.

He also hinted that his basketball life isn’t necessarily over. Said MJ: “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.”

If that really is the case, then Jordan already has his first challenger…

The post Jordan’s speech appeared first on Bulls By The Horns.

Don't forget: MJ got by with a little help from his friends.

Have you ever been hanging out with your friends in a crowded bar where the music was blaring and everybody was screaming over everybody else? In those situations, it’s almost impossible to hear yourself think let alone communicate effectively. Well, that’s what writing about Michael Jordan feels like right now. His induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has ignited a firestorm of tributes and memorials and renewed debates about his place in NBA history.

Mind you, those debates are hardly necessary. Jordan is one of the greatest scorers ever (after Wilt Chamberlain and alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Kobe Bryant), one of the greatest winners of all time (after Bill Russell and alongside Kareem and former teammate Scottie Pippen) and, without question, the single greatest player to ever put a ball through a hoop.

Let’s face it, there was nothing Michael Jordan couldn’t do on a basketball court, offensively or defensively. You can nitpick flaws in virtually any other all-time great. Russell wasn’t much of a scorer (and his practice habits were on par with Allen Iverson’s). Chamberlain couldn’t hit a free throw and (even more damning) didn’t win as often as he should have. Ditto for Oscar Robertson, who never tasted championship glory until he was playing second-fiddle to Kareem. Speaking of Kareem, there were occasional complaints about his desire to go all-out on defense  and rebounding during the regular season. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson were never were accomplished individual defenders. So on and so forth.

About the worst you can say about Jordan is that he wasn’t a great three-point shooter (although don’t tell Clyde Drexler and the 1991-92 Portland Trail Blazers that). And…that’s it. That’s all I’ve got. (Unless you count the whole “punching out Steve Kerr” thing. But regarding that, as Iverson might say, we talkin’ ’bout practice.)

Now Jordan will enter the Hall of Fame in what is, fittingly enough, one of the greatest-ever classes. I mean, think about it: MJ, David Robinson, John Stockton and coach Jerry Sloan. You could pull Dave Corzine and Brad Sellers out of mothballs and that team might still win the Eastern Conference. Seriously.

So yeah, all the tributes are pretty fitting. However, it’s worth remembering that Jordan, as unearthly as he was, didn’t do it all alone. Sure, he tried. For seven frustrating years, he tried to win it all by himself. But it wasn’t until he started trusting his coach (whose “equal opportunity offense” seemed to threaten his individual dominance) and his teammates (or, as MJ called them back then, “my supporting cast”) that he finally won that elusive championship and began to truly forge his legend.

See, despite what some people think, winning an NBA title isn’t an individual accomplishment. Heck, it’s not even a team accomplishment. It’s an organizational accomplishment. Winning takes countless thousands of hours of effort by owners, general managers, coaching staffs, trainers, team doctors, public and media relations staff members…heck, even the ball boys who hand out towels and pass out Gatorade during timeouts play a part in the winning. I’m being completely serious here.

The general feeling about the Bulls dynasty of the 1990s is that it was Jordan and a bunch of other guys, and that those other guys could have been just about anybody. Pippen sometimes gets a little credit, but not as much as he deserves. Given how amazing MJ was, it’s natural that the overall greatness of those teams has been, historically speaking, taken for granted. The reality is, Jordan was blessed to be surrounded by the perfect coach, the perfect second-in-command and a perfect group of roleplayers (shooters, rebounds, etc.). Yes, Michael facilitated for those guys, but they also provided the support he needed to be his very best…the very best.

If you think back to those six championships, there were many examples of Jordan’s teammates coming through. Pippen did a little bit of everything (including shutting down Magic Johnson in the 1991 NBA Finals). John Paxson, Steve Kerr and B.J. Armstrong hit critical jumpers. (In fact, Paxson and Kerr clinched the ’91, ’93 and ’97 titles with their shooting. And Jordan wasn’t even directly involved in the play that led to Paxson’s series-clinching three-pointer against the Phoenix Suns in 1993.) Bill Cartwright, Horace Grant and Dennis Rodman grabbed key rebounds and did the dirty work in the paint. Everybody on those teams got after it on defense (and defense, as they say, is what wins championships). Phil Jackson installed the system and repeatedly made the coaching adjustments necessary for victory. And Jerry Krause, as maligned as he may be, brought them all together.

Now consider Jordan’s contemporaries, the men who “failed” to dethrone him. Clyde Drexler. Charles Barkley. Karl Malone. When did their roleplayers ever step up in a critical moment? Can you remember one time that ever happened?

I’m not trying to diminish Jordan’s greatness. He’s the NBA’s career leader in Player Efficiency Rating for a reason. His personal dominance, his ability to meet any challenge, his desire to succeed…those things are beyond compare. But the greatest accomplishment in any sport — winning — is about the team.

Just ask the version of Michael Jordan who played for the Washington Wizards. That MJ was still 75-80 percent of the one who helped orchestrate six championship runs. Yet his Wizards won a mere 74 games during his two seasons on the team. That’s only two more than the 1995-96 Bulls won. And, of course, those Wizards did not make the playoffs. It was a failure so crushing that Jordan, in what everyone knew was his last season in the league, wasn’t voted as a starter on the 2003 Eastern Conference All-Star Team. (Vince Carter was eventually press-ganged into surrendering his starting spot to Jordan.) Let’s face it: it’s a bad sign when the greatest and most beloved player in any sport ever can’t even win a popularity contest.

So what’s my point? Simply that, in the rush to celebrate the greatness of Michael Jordan, don’t forget that, in many ways, his Hall of Fame induction and the associated lovefest wouldn’t be possible without the Chicago Bulls. Jordan made those teams great, but they did the same for him. You know, one knock against Bill Russell in the “All-Time Greatness Debate” is that, unlike Jordan, he played alongside several other Hall of Famers. But ask yourself this: how many of those 60s Celtics would have made the Hall of Fame if their team hadn’t won 11 championships in 13 seasons? Those other players came and went. Even Red Auerbach retired mid-dynasty. The only constant was Russell.

But the argument that his legacy was partially dependent on his team is a fair one. The same can be said for MJ.

The TrueHoop Network:
Michael Jordan Doesn’t Need Your Favors
Where Were You When Michael Jordan Became God?
Off the Iron: The Endurance of MJ’s Perfection
Best There Ever Was, Best There Ever Will Be
Celebrating Michael Jordan vs. The Nets
Rewatching…The Push Off
Getting The G.O.A.T.
The Remastered Michael Jordan
A Hate Worth Loving
In Honor of Michael Jordan
In DC, the Devil Wears Jordans, and That’s Okay

More MJ and the Hall:
NBA.com’s official Michael Jordan Hall of Fame page
Michael Jordan’s Top 23
Becoming Legendary: The Michael Jordan Story
Slam Presents: Jordan
Michael Jordan deserves his Hall of Fame due — and then some
NBA icon Jordan to take place among game’s greats
Michael Jordan defines the Hall of Fame
A look back at the career of Michael Jordan
A rare air for Michael Jordan
Jordan officially joins greats of the game in Hall
What’s your favorite MJ memory?
Jordan’s shot at destiny inevitable
Reilly: NBA should retire Jordan’s No. 23?
Jordan’s early days forecast stardom
Coaches, teammates and friends remember MJ’s talent, drive
MJ still ‘The Most Competitive Man in the World’
Jordan showed his best in 1 key standoff
The chairman: MJ’s work ethic is unmatched
55 points at MSG meant a lot more to come
Commish: Jordan’s up there with Ali and Pele
Is MJ the greatest?
Michael Jordan best ever in NBA?
MJ Is NBA’s Best Ever
Writers share memories of Jordan
Too young to remember MJ’s prime? Not me
Chuck Swirsky shares his MJ memories
What Does It Mean To Be The Greatest of All Time?
Honoring the great MJ
Michael Jordan’s Legacy
MJ. Michael Jordan. Air Jordan. Money. His Airness. The GOAT.
Remember Michael Jordan the Player/GM?
No, there won’t be a Michael Jordan Hall-Of-Fame post (ok, this one)
Rod Thorn Talks MJ’s Hall Induction
Michael Jordan Biography
Michael Jordan’s Impact on Chicago

The post MJ, the Bulls and the Hall of Fame appeared first on Bulls By The Horns.

From the Associated Press: “The Basketball Hall of Fame has opened a Michael Jordan exhibit before his enshrinement next month. The display features items from Jordan’s NBA career and from his time at North Carolina and with the 1992 Olympic Dream Team. There is also a batting glove from Jordan’s brief foray into baseball. The exhibit is made possible in part by a $250,000 donation from Nike and features several pair of the superstar’s Air Jordan shoes.”

Hall of Fame historian and archivist Matt L. Zeysing said: “It’s just a great project. The exhibit highlights Michael’s entire career, not just with the Chicago Bulls but in college at North Carolina, and with the U.S. Olympic Dream Team (in 1992). Michael’s appeal had crossover popularity. A young kid, living in the city, would grow up and love Michael Jordan, but the mother of that kid would love him, too.”

According to the Republican Sports Desk: “The Jordan display will include a 40-foot timeline, and examples Jordan’s line of basketball footwear. … Also available for viewing with be Jordan jerseys from throughout his career with the Bulls, Washington Wizards and Olympic team, and rings from all six NBA titles the Bulls won from 1991-98. … A four-minute movie will be shown continuously. Narrated by Jordan himself, the film shows highlights of his basketball career as well as other aspects of his legacy, including his brief attempt to play pro baseball in the mid-1990s.”

The Jordan exhibit will remain at the hall for several months after enshrinement. Maybe I’m being a little bit of a homer here, but I think the Jordan exhibit should be kept at the hall pretty much forever. I mean, he isthe best basketball player of all time right? Shouldn’t the Basketball Hall of Fame permanently celebrate the greatest pro baller to ever squeeze into short pants? I think so. Actually, I think the Hall should have a special exhibit for three pro players: Wilt Chamberlain (the greatest compiler of stats), Bill Russell (the greatest winner) and Michael Jordan (the greatest of the greats). But this is a good start.

The post Now open: MJ’s Hall of Fame exhibit appeared first on Bulls By The Horns.

Phil Jackson won six NBA championships during his nine years as head coach of the Chicago Bulls. And yet many of his critics were always quick to point out — often with an almost sadistic glee — that his success was due as much (or more so) to luck than his coaching acumen. And by “luck” what they actually meant was “Michael Jordan.” (Or, in some cases, “Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.”)

Then Phil went to L.A. and immediately won another three championships in a row, bringing his total to nine, which tied him with the legendary Red Auerbach for most NBA titles won by a head coach. Rather than validating Phil in the eyes of his critics, it actually intensified the cynicism. At that point, the “luck” assessment was expanded to something along the lines of, “Yeah, well, anybody could win a championship with MJ and Scottie or Shaq and Kobe.”

It was like no coach had won with superstars before.

Now Phil has won a record-setting 10th NBA title. I think it’s safe to say all the winning is no fluke. Yes, Phil had an all-timer (Kobe Bryant), but Pau Gasol is no Shaq and Lamar Odom is certainly no Scottie Pippen. In fact, this is probably the worst squad — talent-wise — of Jackson’s 10 championship teams. But that fact won’t keep the ring off Phil’s finger.

So, what’s the secret of his success? Said Kobe: “I think it’s his ability to bring people together. The biggest thing that he does so well is he continues to coach the group, continues to coach unity and chemistry and togetherness. And that’s the biggest thing, because when you’re together you can withstand adversity. If you’re not, you can easily break apart and become a team of individuals. That’s his biggest characteristic of what he does well.”

Added Derek Fisher: “He doesn’t try to control you as a coach. He empowers you to be who you are. And if you want to be the best, and if you believe in your team and if you believe you can win a title, then this is what can happen. He doesn’t put himself in the way. He lets us do it. And this is the result.”

Now, the greatness that began here in the Windy City is locked in, historically speaking. So congratulations to Phil Jackson. I only wish that he could have coached all 10 of his titles here in Chicago.

The post Congratulations, Phil appeared first on Bulls By The Horns.

Sometime back in the 1990s, the Gibson Guitar company presented Michael Jordan with a custom-made Bulls-themed guitar. It has the Bulls logo, says “Chicago Bulls” and the serial number is CHI (CHICAGO) 23…in honor of MJ’s jersey number! Heck, it even has Mike’s signature. (Jordan probably had to put his name on the guitar to keep Jud “Sticky Fingers” Buechler from walking off with it.) MJ graciously accepted this totally sweet gift, but then one thing led to another and now it’s being sold on eBay for $10,000.

If ten grand is little outside your “ridiculous Michael Jordan-related collector’s items” budget, may I suggest this “Return to Greatness” 12-plate collection from the Bradford Exchange? The set was produced on hard-fired porcelain to the highest quality and artistic standards, and each plate is surrounded by 22 karat gold and a replica of Mike’s autograph. That’s right: A real imitation of MJ’s signature. A steal for $250. (And by that I mean you’ll be the one being robbed.)

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