This week as we’re joined by basketball writer Sam Smith, contributor to The Last Dance and author of notorious book The Jordan Rules.
The book caused a sensation by lifting the curtain and showing the world a very different version of Michael Jordan than had been marketed to that point: not the the wholesome, all-American character he had been marketed as to that point, but a guy as flawed as the rest of us, who was often nasty to team-mates. The book’s headlines caused a sensation, with Smith receiving threats and told to take a week off work, which led to his being reported missing.
We discuss how he reported the book and what he made of its reaction, along with talking at length about Jordan’s character: of what drove him as an athlete and how the kid Smith spent a weekend with when he first joined the Bulls was changed by talent, success, fame and scrutiny.
We also learn how Jordan reacted to Smith when they met after the book’s publication, and whether such a book could be written today.
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