Michael Jordan to serve as ‘special contributor’ to NBC’s upcoming NBA coverage

NBA Stat: NBA players to average 40.0+ PPG over the first 3 games of a playoff series, last 40 years: Michael Jordan (5x) LeBron James (2x) Donovan Mitchell (this series) (via OptaSports) #NBA -via Bluesky / May 10, 2025

Craig Hodges: I think he was better than MJ—just from a natural standpoint. You’re 6’7” with the same components, but not only is your right hand big, your left is that big too, you know what I’m saying? And you’re finishing with both equally like that. The difference was the level of confidence coming out. And so much, when we look at it—think about it: if you think about how many guys you played with—so much was given to them that it added to their confidence. Yeah, you know what I’m saying? So if I know I’ve got all these people behind me, all these people supporting me, then I’m going to go out and I’m gonna play a different way, as opposed to: I’ve got to prove to these people that I’m capable. -via YouTube / May 7, 2025

Craig Hodges: Scottie and Horace, they used to keep things so lighthearted because they were silly young folks. But they played hard, and they got better every day. I think that’s the thing—Pip became better with every touch. And I think, you know, when they named him to the Top 50, it took his confidence to a different level. But I think he felt that MJ could’ve done more from a business side to help him, you know what I’m saying? From a side of saying, ‘All right—think of how many professional athletes today and from yesteryear who gave a piece of themselves contractually in order to keep my boy here,’ you know what I’m saying? And I think Scottie wanted a little bit of that to happen. And you know, sometimes… the friendship and… like—I saw a piece the other day where they were asking Scottie if he and Michael ever had dinner together. He was like, ‘No.’ -via YouTube / May 7, 2025