Michael Jordan -Part 1/3

As a sports blogger or writer based in Chicago it seems obvious that I would have a desire to write about the Greatest Chicago Athlete. While Chicago has had some unbelievable athletes there is one who stands above the rest. No I am not talking about Walter Payton (who was the greatest running back of all time…I don’t care what others say) or Dick Butkus (the greatest linebacker of all time) or even Mark Prior (the Cubs version of Jesus Christ). I am talking about Michael “Air” Jordan. To grow up during the Jordan era was truly remarkable. It was as if fans truly believed we could never lose. Night in and night out Jordan would come out with a shot at the buzzer, go on a 12 point run like he was playing against nobodies, or have an emphatic dunk over another NBA elite. So in honor of Michael Jordan’s induction into the Hall of Fame I decided to write a three part piece about the greatest basketball player who ever lived (no questions asked).

So my dilemma is of course…how do I write a Jordan story with a Jewish connection? Obviously, Jordan was not Jewish nor were his parents or his wife. Jordan did live in Deerfield/Highland Park Illinois, which has many Jewish residents, but that was not enough to write about. I did not know of Jordan ever visiting a synagogue or giving to a Jewish charity. But Jews surrounded Jordan’s tenure, three in particular who helped make Jordan more than just a basketball player.

The first Jewish connection to Jordan is through Jerry Reinsdorf. Reinsdorf (who TGR has written about more than any other Jewish sportsman) was not responsible for drafting Jordan, but he took over as head owner one year after Jordan entered the league (pretty smart business move). Reinsdorf was however responsible for keeping Jordan in Chicago. Reinsdorf signed Jordan to ungodly contracts of $25 million a year and gave the future of the NBA whatever he wanted. Reinsdorf knew he had to keep Jordan happy and he did.

In 1994 Reinsdorf gave Jordan his own home, the United Center. Chicago Stadium was awesome and ornate but the UC was the house that Jordan built (with Reinsdorf's money). The statue outside the UC is a great representation of the twos relationship. Jordan brought the image and Reinsdorf paid for it. But together they made plenty of cash and they won plenty of championships. Jordan and Reinsdorf as we all know won 6 titles together.

And Jordan’s speech at his Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Jordan thanked Reinsdorf and mentioned how good of a relationship the two had. This is Jordan’s first connection to the Jewish world; his second with Jerry Krause in’t as pretty.

And Let Us Say (for now)…Amen.
-Jeremy Fine