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Facing Michael Jordan: Players Recall the Greatest Basketball Player Who Ever Lived
Relive the magic of the greatest player to ever step on the court.
“Air Jordan,” “His Airness,” “MJ.”
Whatever you call him, Michael Jeffrey Jordan can be considered one of the greatest basketball players of all-time. During his career, Jordan won six NBA championships and was a 14-time All-Star, five-time NBA MVP, and six-time NBA Finals MVP. To say Jordan was dominant during his career would be a severe understatement.
Now for the first time ever, hear stories from opponents, teammates, and coaches about what it was like to go against MJ in Facing Michael Jordan. You will hear stories from such All-Stars as:
Charles Barkley
Dennis Rodman
Robert Parish
Terry Porter
And many more!
From the moment Jordan stepped onto the court, he dominated the game of basketball. No matter who comes around today or tomorrow, Jordan’s name and the number 23 will resonate with basketball fans for all eternity.
Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Sports Publishing imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in sports—books about baseball, pro football, college football, pro and college basketball, hockey, or soccer, we have a book about your sport or your team.
Whether you are a New York Yankees fan or hail from Red Sox nation; whether you are a die-hard Green Bay Packers or Dallas Cowboys fan; whether you root for the Kentucky Wildcats, Louisville Cardinals, UCLA Bruins, or Kansas Jayhawks; whether you route for the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, or Los Angeles Kings; we have a book for you. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to publishing books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked by other publishers and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.
“Air Jordan,” “His Airness,” “MJ.”
Whatever you call him, Michael Jeffrey Jordan can be considered one of the greatest basketball players of all-time. During his career, Jordan won six NBA championships and was a 14-time All-Star, five-time NBA MVP, and six-time NBA Finals MVP. To say Jordan was dominant during his career would be a severe understatement.
Now for the first time ever, hear stories from opponents, teammates, and coaches about what it was like to go against MJ in Facing Michael Jordan. You will hear stories from such All-Stars as:
Charles Barkley
Dennis Rodman
Robert Parish
Terry Porter
And many more!
From the moment Jordan stepped onto the court, he dominated the game of basketball. No matter who comes around today or tomorrow, Jordan’s name and the number 23 will resonate with basketball fans for all eternity.
Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Sports Publishing imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in sports—books about baseball, pro football, college football, pro and college basketball, hockey, or soccer, we have a book about your sport or your team.
Whether you are a New York Yankees fan or hail from Red Sox nation; whether you are a die-hard Green Bay Packers or Dallas Cowboys fan; whether you root for the Kentucky Wildcats, Louisville Cardinals, UCLA Bruins, or Kansas Jayhawks; whether you route for the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, or Los Angeles Kings; we have a book for you. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to publishing books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked by other publishers and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published October 7, 2014
9 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 3, 2020
It's always a rude awakening when you find out that you have falsely remembered part of your origin story. In this particular case, I am misremembering which NBA Finals I started my relationship with basketball.
The first time it happened, I was in Chicago, remembering the Bulls vs. Blazers, in 1990, but that was wrong, because Bulls and Blazers was actually 1992. But Blazers and Pistons were in 1990. And this book was where I realized that Bulls and Lakers happened in 1991, and I had no idea.
I know a lot of basketball facts, but I'm starting to wonder if I remember anything at all. (So existential!) Maybe basketball is like music or life in general-we remember what we need to, and that's all we can expect.
The Last Dance just came out. There's a lot of selective remembering. But the things that everyone knows remains true-Jordan is petty. Jordan hated to lose. Jordan's kind of an asshole and benefitted from being an asshole during a time when there was no social media. Jordan loved to gamble but is cheap as shit.
I learned that Dwayne Casey has done absolutely nothing with his extensive playoff experience, coaching against Jordan and LeBron (before he swept us every year) and still choosing to come into the locker room every playoff game and writing "Chill" or "Do your own thing" or "You can figure this out without me" on the board and walking away.
I also learned that Jordan and Barkley were such good friends that they stayed partying every night during the Finals (they just didn't do it on TV like Rodman did his wrestling) and not just during the Dream Team. I don't know the source of their falling out, but feel like that could be a great story.
"...he is trying to give me like plain-pocket jeans they got for being part of the Team USA thing. Levi's was a sponsor, and he was trying to give me those jeans and a Polaroid camera. I was like, 'Dude, you owe me six grand.' He never paid me. To this day. That is his reputation, I guess. Too bad, I could have used six grand." (18, Dan Dakich)
Rough, man. Yikes.
The first time it happened, I was in Chicago, remembering the Bulls vs. Blazers, in 1990, but that was wrong, because Bulls and Blazers was actually 1992. But Blazers and Pistons were in 1990. And this book was where I realized that Bulls and Lakers happened in 1991, and I had no idea.
I know a lot of basketball facts, but I'm starting to wonder if I remember anything at all. (So existential!) Maybe basketball is like music or life in general-we remember what we need to, and that's all we can expect.
The Last Dance just came out. There's a lot of selective remembering. But the things that everyone knows remains true-Jordan is petty. Jordan hated to lose. Jordan's kind of an asshole and benefitted from being an asshole during a time when there was no social media. Jordan loved to gamble but is cheap as shit.
I learned that Dwayne Casey has done absolutely nothing with his extensive playoff experience, coaching against Jordan and LeBron (before he swept us every year) and still choosing to come into the locker room every playoff game and writing "Chill" or "Do your own thing" or "You can figure this out without me" on the board and walking away.
I also learned that Jordan and Barkley were such good friends that they stayed partying every night during the Finals (they just didn't do it on TV like Rodman did his wrestling) and not just during the Dream Team. I don't know the source of their falling out, but feel like that could be a great story.
"...he is trying to give me like plain-pocket jeans they got for being part of the Team USA thing. Levi's was a sponsor, and he was trying to give me those jeans and a Polaroid camera. I was like, 'Dude, you owe me six grand.' He never paid me. To this day. That is his reputation, I guess. Too bad, I could have used six grand." (18, Dan Dakich)
Rough, man. Yikes.
January 4, 2020
Michael Jordan needs no introduction, as he is probably still the most famous athlete in the world. Facing MJ is a series of interviews with fellow players, in addition to others who crossed paths with Michael. A fellow Tar Hell, Walter Davis, played with and against Michael beginning at the age of seventeen. Everyone recalls his uncanny quickness and tireless work ethic. He was the ultimate combination of athleticism and determination. In the 1980’s, the Detroit Pistons had their “bad boy” reputation and “Jordan rules”. Dennis Rodman and his boys knocked MJ around and toughened him up to the point which he hired a personal trainer. The Pistons coach, Chuck Daly, instructed his players to physically wear Jordan out. Weightlifting made Jordan an even better player. Daly called him a basketball genius and bionic. Today’s game is not the same and I no longer watch it. The NBA is now a no touch and no defense league. I was able to watch a good number of Bulls games on cable TV via WGN from Chicago, even here in NY. Facing Michael Jordan is a fun read and I can recommend it to fellow hoop fans of Jordan.
May 20, 2016
Great book with wonderful and curious memories from many, many players, coaches and trainers around the NBA. I dont know why the person before me gave rating 2.0, he must be some kind of Jordan hater from the past :) But if you love the game and you know half of the names in it , i bet you will enjoy it !
September 10, 2016
This book offers an interesting take on Micahel Jordan, but I felt it was more of a collection of stories and memories more than anything else. Some accounts were interesting especially those from individuals who played against Jordan; not so much from those who did not. Nevertheless, an interesting read. Good for anyone who wants to know more about Michael Jordan.
November 15, 2014
As a basketball fan was pleased at hearing the stories that opposing coaches and players had about the man considered to be the greatest basketball player of all time.
July 24, 2015
Great read
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews