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One-on-one with Michael Jordan

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foxsports admin

 
Updated Oct 21, 2009 3:47 PM ET
     
 
I got a chance to speak to Michael Jordan at the Presidents Cup. He was very into the event and the team, and would do whatever was necessary to help Fred Couples and Team USA. His answers to the questions I posed were playful, but always thoughtful and sincere. It was more than I could have expected, and I was pleasantly surprised. It sounds like you acted in some ways as the team psychologist, trying to get players to believe, relax and have fun. How true is that? Michael Jordan: I wouldn't say a team psychologist. I don't have a degree in that. I don't want people to think that I'm something that I'm not. I tried to correlate some of the experiences to things that I've gone through in basketball and put it out there for guys to either utilize or implement in their personality and their perception of things and if it works, it works. If it doesn't, I don't feel like I'm a guru about anything. I'm only there for people to ask questions. I'm not there to try to force the issue on these kids. So you end up connecting with a guy from Philly, how does that happen? MJ: I love Sean (O'Hair). (Charles) Barkley played in Philly. I have Philly friends. He just adds to it that. I think he's a very talented guy, though. A very, very talented guy that's on the cusp of becoming a great, great golfer. And it was easy for me to migrate towards him because of his personality and I could joke around with him and I think he was looking for that type of warmth coming from our friendship. And I hope it continues. I hope it doesn't just end because we won the cup. Clearly your friendship with Sean was one of the highlights of the week. What else were the highlights of the week for you? MJ: Hunter (Mahan), obviously spending time with Phil (Mickelson), understanding how Phil was as a person, because I haven't done that in a while. And Steve Stricker and a lot of guys that I haven't seen in my passing of professional golfers and getting to know them personally, you know, it's truly a pleasure. Now when I watch them on TV I have a better understanding for who they are. And obviously I'll root for them and I'll root even harder for them now. What else have you learned from your week at Harding Park? MJ: Well, obviously when I came here I didn't want to be a distraction. I think initially I became that. And then I was able to, because of my relationship and my involvement with Freddie and even some of the players, I was able to fit in. Which I was really nervous about, because I just, I really just tried not to be a distraction. I just wanted to be a traction or some type of added support to them. And initially I felt like it was being taken totally the wrong way. How did you feel about the caddies all wearing 23 on the side of their hats? MJ: That was a blessing. That to me says a lot. I didn't expect it, I didn't ask for it, but it's something that I truly will remember and I'll take it with me. You're a member of, I don't know, numerous clubs? MJ: I'm over the 14-club rule. Is it unfair to ask if you actually pay for any of those memberships? MJ: Some I get honorary memberships, but I have to pay the dues, so it's like I'm paying. At the end of the day, at the end of the month, they all add up. And I pay. I'm very proud too, because I love the game of golf. And I travel quite a bit. So if I'm in that city and I have a membership, I go play. And these are not things that I go out and solicit for, they bring it to me and if I feel that I can help the club by being a member and I pick up the dues, then thanks for the opportunity and I would love to play. I'm a big golf fan. Sean O'Hair said that there's just no way it makes sense to drink scotch without smoking a cigar at the same time? MJ: I'm dying. I've been dying for the last four days. The first thing I'm going to do once I get on the plane is smoke a cigar. I promise.

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