Phil Jackson Compare Michael Jordan & Kobe Bryant

Over the years, getting legendary NBA head coach Phil Jackson to compare Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant was damn near impossible. But in Jackson’s forthcoming new book, a memoir titled Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success, he does just that. Basically, it seems like the Zen Master gives the edge to Air Jordan.

The Los Angeles Time printed some excerpts of the book where Coach Jackson compares the NBA Hall of Famer and the sure to be first ballot Hall of Famer.

On their skills as team leaders:

“Michael was more charismatic and gregarious than Kobe. He loved hanging out with his teammates and security guards, playing cards, smoking cigars, and joking around,” Jackson said in the book, which was obtained in advance by The Times.

“Kobe is different. He was reserved as a teenager, in part because he was younger than the other players and hadn’t developed strong social skills in college. When Kobe first joined the Lakers, he avoided fraternizing with his teammates. But his inclination to keep to himself shifted as he grew older. Increasingly, Kobe put more energy into getting to know the other players, especially when the team was on the road.”

On their defense:

“No question, Michael was a tougher, more intimidating defender. He could break through virtually any screen and shut down almost any player with his intense, laser-focused style of defense,” said Jackson, who coached Jordan to six championships and Bryant to five.

“Kobe has learned a lot from studying Michael’s tricks, and we often used him as our secret weapon on defense when we needed to turn the direction of a game. In general, Kobe tends to rely more heavily on his flexibility and craftiness, but he takes a lot of gambles on defense and sometimes pays the price.”

On getting buckets:

“Michael was more likely to break through his attackers with power and strength, while Kobe often tries to finesse his way through mass pileups,” Jackson wrote. “Michael was stronger, with bigger shoulders and a sturdier frame. He also had large hands that allowed him to control the ball better and make subtle fakes.

“Jordan was also more naturally inclined to let the game come to him and not overplay his hand, whereas Kobe tends to force the action, especially when the game isn’t going his way. When his shot is off, Kobe will pound away relentlessly until his luck turns. Michael, on the other hand, would shift his attention to defense or passing or setting screens to help the team win the game.”

Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success is in stores Tuesday, May 21.

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Kobe wearing Jordan’s

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via:hiphopwired

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Michael Jordan’s BIG Wedding Day….is Today

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Former NBA superstar Michael Jordan, is set to tie the knot to Miami-born ex-model Yvette Prieto today at Bethesda by the Sea Episcopal Church in Palm BeachGossip Extra reports. And the reception will reportedly follow at Jordan’s home in the Bear’s Club in Jupiter. They expect about  2,000 guests for their big day. Jordan wasn’t giving much away recently when he spoke to Entertainment Tonight. He said he was more concerned about his privacy after being in the spotlight for so long.  “I’m still in it a little bit, but I can control it to some degree — to me my privacy is the most important thing to me right now.”

Most of those involved with Jordan’s wedding have signed confidentiality agreements, and the source asked not to be identified by name.

“I calculated a total under-roof space of about 600 feet long by 150 feet wide. I’ve never seen anything like it. I’ve been working weddings for a while. It looks like he’s having about 2,000 people over.”

The amount of equipment being brought to the house is also impressive.

By mid-afternoon today, three semis with Illinois license plates waiting in line for access to Jordan’s property.

There were four smaller trucks as well, and two large vans carrying the sound system for the party.

via:gumbumper

 

Michael Jordan Paternity Case Thrown Out Following Request From Accuser

Michael Jordan is used to winning in the game of basketball, and it appears that his good luck has trickled over into a life situation. The a paternity test brought on by a woman claiming that Jordan is the father of her 16-year-old son, has been thrown out, TMZ reports. Pamela Smith, the woman accusing Jordan of fathering her son, filed paperwork in Georgia to have the case dismissed. Her request was granted “without prejudice,” which gives her the opportunity to re-file, if she likes. While Smith has yet to release details behind the decision to have the case dismissed, it may point to a settlement reached between both parties. Not long after the story was announced, Jordan denied being the father of Grant Pierce Jay Jordan Reynolds, who goes by the name Taj, and aspires to be a rapper. “Public records show that the paternity of the child was established in a prior case in this same court many years ago and that Michael Jordan is not the father,” Jordan’s spokeswoman, Estee Portnoy, said. “He also filed a counterclaim seeking sanctions for the false claims made against him. It is unfortunate that well-known figures are the target of these kind of claims. Michael Jordan will vigorously defend himself and his reputation.” According to the lawsuit, Smith demanded that Jordan take a paternity test immediately, driving the belief that she was confident in the paternity results. She claims to have met the basketball star in the late ’80s. Jordan, and his ex-wife, Juanita, divorced in 2006, after reaching a $168 million divorce settlement. He is currently engaged to Cuban model, Yvette Prieto.

via:hiphopwire.com

Air Jordan 8 “Bugs Bunny” & Air Jordan 13 “He Got Game” Releasing

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Jordan Brand is making it extremely difficult for any discerning sneakerhead to save their money. There are two fresh OG colorways of Michael Jordan‘s signature kicks getting retro releases; the Air Jordan 8 (aka “Bugs Bunny” or “Hare”) and the Air Jordan 13 (aka “He Got Game“). The Air Jordan 8 in the Bugs Bunny colorway (called so because cartoon character also known as “Hare Jordan” was rocking them in Space Jam ads) drops on April 20. The actual official colorway is denoted as White/Hyper Blue-True Red-Flint Grey and they will cost you $160. The shoe featured the criss-crossing straps that made the shoe stand out from the pack. The Air Jordan 13 drops sooner, on March 16. The “He Got Game” moniker is thanks to Denzel Washington rocking them in the Spike Lee directed He Got Game. Standout elements of the shoes design include the holographic “eye” near the heal, the leather upper and all around classy look of the sneaker. Expect both of these kicks to jam webpage servers as people try lock down their own pair.

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via:hiphopwired.com

Michael Jordan’s Alleged “Pamela Smith” Baby Mama Heads to Court Today!

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Pamela Smith, the woman who accused NBA legend Michael Jordan of fathering her son had her day in court today.   Smith was due to go before Judge Bensonetta Tipton Lane at 2 p.m. today. Smith’s attorney, Randy Kessler, is confident that Judge Tipton Lane won’t dimiss the case.

According to Rollingout Magazine

Kessler said in a statement to press, “We are honored to have been asked to represent Ms. Smith who has been unable to resolve this matter herself.  The vicious statements made in Mr. Jordan’s legal documents will be responded to in her own forthcoming pleadings, but at this time Ms. Smith wants to be clear.  Her former husband Mr. Reynolds has not been involved in her child’s life since the divorce in 2005, has never paid support for the child and has shown no interest in the child. The claims by Respondent’s counsel that ‘It is troubling that Smith now inflicts measurable harm upon her son while seeking to deprive her son’s father Reynolds, of the rights and privileges of joint legal custody’ are completely unfounded and meant only to disparage her.  Our client feels that Mr. Jordan had numerous opportunities to resolve this matter by having a simple conversation with her. If he claims he is not the father, a simple $300 saliva test could likely resolve the issue instead of further court or public involvement.”

Jordan and Smith were involved in a relationship in 1995 –  while he was married to his first wife Juanita.

via;gumbumper.com

YOU ARE NOT THE FATHER: Michael Jordan Says Paternity Has Already Been Established, & He is Not The Father

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Michael Jordan has asked a Georgia court to dismiss a lawsuit filed against him by a woman who says the NBA hall of famer is the father of her 16-year-old son.

Jordan’s spokeswoman Estee Portnoy released a statement to The Associated Press:

Public records show that the paternity of the child was established in a prior case in this same court many years ago and that Michael Jordan is not the father. He also filed a counterclaim seeking sanctions for the false claims made against him. It is unfortunate that well-known figures are the target of these kind of claims. Michael Jordan will vigorously defend himself and his reputation.”

Smith’s lawsuit requests Jordan take a paternity test and pay child support. She also requested the boy’s last name be changed to Jordan, and for a judge to order the Georgia Department of Vital Records to issue him a new birth certificate.

The lawsuit requests that any hearing or trial be conducted in closed court to protect the teen’s privacy.

via:gumbumper.com