May 20--Magic Johnson told late-night host Jimmy Kimmel that he only talked trash once during his 13-year NBA career -- and Michael Jordan was his target.
It happened when both Hall of Famers were practicing for the 1992 Olympics with the original "Dream Team." Playing against each other, they played to a tie three days in a row, Johnson said, so coach Chuck Daly decided to split the players into East versus West, giving Johnson an opportunity to spice things up with Jordan.
"This is the fourth day, and we got out on them by 12-2, so I said I 'm going to really rattle his chain," Johnson said. "So I said, 'Hey, man, if you don't turn into Air Jordan we're going to blow you out today.
"Jimmy, his eyes got big. Usually that tongue come about right here, now it's way out. He broke the huddle, he hit a 3, he's looking at me," said Johnson, sticking out his tongue and pointing his finger like Jordan did. "So he came down again, hit another 3."
Johnson colorfully described "the greatest shot I've seen" when Jordan hung in the air, turned 360 degrees and dunked on David Robinson during practice. "The moral is you should not talk trash to Michael Jordan," Kimmel said.
Johnson could laugh with Kimmel about the rivalry because he and Jordan have remained close after their playing careers.
"Michael Jordan and I are friends and I call him all the time because I like his Brand Jordan sneakers and his clothes ... (and he sends them) for free," he said.
plthompson@tribpub.com
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