Michael Jordan may very well be the greatest NBA player of all time. David Thompson is arguably the best NCAA player of all time. Jordan attended UNC. Thompson was a legend at rival NC State. However, Thompson and Jordan will put their differences aside on Friday as MJ has selected DT to present him at his Hall of Fame induction ceremony, according to Yahoo! sports. The selection of David Thompson came as a surprise for many who believed Jordan would select his mentors, Dean Smith or Phil Jackson, to present him at what very well may be, the greatest overall achievement of his storied career. Michael decided on Thompson because of the influence that "Skywalker" had on the development of his game. Jordan declared that without Thompson he "would have never become the player that I did." Jordan and Thompson met at the final four in 1984 and have kept in touch ever since. .
"I got a call from the Hall of Fame and they asked me if I was willing to be a presenter for someone. I said, 'Yeah.' I didn't know who it was. ... They said Michael Jordan. I was like, 'Wow.' He told them that he was a big fan of mine and I was the one that really inspired him. Being that there was so many North Carolina people he could've chosen, I was honored. I was kind of surprised, and also was really flattered that he chose me over Coach [Dean] Smith. You know how important he is?" Said Thompson
Even the greatest players of all-time, at some point, look to someone else for inspiration and motivation. For Michael Jordan, that someone else was David Thompson. Come Friday night, Thompson will be honoring Michael Jordan, as he reaches his final and most significant award, but in a roundabout way , the honor is all Thompson's.
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10 Responses to "David Thompson to Present Jordan into Hall"This is awesome and touching at the same time! I can't help bu think about the indirect impact this type of thing can have in our recruiting. It may not help at all but it sure won't hurt either to be able to tell recruits that story.
Sometimes take it for granted that DT is hands down the greatest college basketball player of all time.
Sit back and take a moment to reflect on all the the round ball players to suit up for the NCAA over many years.
Thanks Mike, it's cool to hear that you had your own version of "I wanna be like Mike" in your head to push and motivate you always.
What a great surprise for DT. Not surpisingly, I would rather have DT introduce me rather than Dean Smith. I still have the picture from UNC basketball camp where I, unlike the rest of those dorks, refused to shake his hand. So, we stood there awkwardly staring at the camera and wishing he would hurry up.
In other news...anyone else see that Harrow now has 5 stars in both Rivals (#24 player) and Scout (#25 player)? Also saw that Cothron dropped a bit in the rankings, but probably due to his injury this Summer.
Even the greatest Pro basketball player of all time knows who the true SKYWALKER is. Having met DT many times, he is a very genuine and humble guy I know he is extremely honored by being picked. I know my framed DT jersey hanging in my living room just got a little bit more nostalgic... interesting in the Yahoo article Jordan talks about being a huge state fan because of DT and wanted to play for them but state didnt offer him a 'ship. If only... even DT is quoted as saying we would have a few more championship banners if he had attended state...
Good find about Harrow Eric. Im just salivating waiting on the Glaxo tourney this winter!!!!!
That's quite an honor. It also tells me alot about MJ. He could have easily choosen ANYBODY, say like Dean Smith, Phil Jackson, even Dennis Rodman, but he went to his roots and remembered a guy who absolutely took the game to another level and who motivated a young Michael Jordan as a boy.
MJ learned from David Thompson's many examples, he went on to take it even further, that's just natural progression of any sport. Michael Jordan certainly jumped up several notches on the my respect meter by choosing DT to introduce into the HOF.
^Uh, I think maybe I should have clicked on the link and read the article, BEFORE I made that comment, but I was on my lunch break and didn't have time.
Sorry but this seems strange that Jordan did not call DT to ask him rather had the Hall do it. I'm not sure what I think of this.
Anonymous-it's probably protocol to do that way. Anyway, I doubt Mike has Dave's number.
Personally, I think this is great and not strange at all.
I've said it a million times, youtube clips don't do him any justice AT ALL!!! Even watching a copy of a complete game wouldn't give anyone the real feeling that NC State carried with them in those days. It was quiet confidence, all in a the midst of a nationwide pressure boiler. I surely can't translate that feeling into words, and if you weren't around during David Thompson's reign, you'll never be able to fully grasp it anyway.
No matter who the competition, the guy was just dominating in every aspect, and from any square inch of anywhere on the BB court. His teammates knew it, the opposition knew it, and he very quietly and respectfully TOOK OVER any game, against anybody, whenever he felt it necessary. If you're too young to remember, and while it's been great on the VERY RARE occasion that an NC State team has actually risen above expectations since those days, I'm here to tell you that there is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING that compares to going into every contest while knowing full well that you're THE ABSOLUTE BEST, and praying that the target on your chest isn't getting so big and heavy that you're bound to get taken down by somebody on a given night. All of the hoping and praying that can you live up to it EVERY single time you hit the court.
That was what David Thompson brought to NC State, complete and consistent domination, and he delivered on it night after night, after night.
People can debate all they want, but in my humble opinion, David Thompson was the most overwhelming physically gifted athlete to play the game. But he was the rare individual who didn't let that stop him, he worked at it and honed himself into the complete package of skill and dominating athleticism to ever set foot on a collegiate BB court regardless of position, as well as regardless of the era. If anyone wishes to argue that, I'll be happy to respond.
Sorry, I'll stop now, but I could type about those days until the MOO cows come home .
I'm not a fan Of Jordan's at all. Not because he went to UNC but because he is not a very nice guy. I've actually played a couple of rounds of golf with him over the years at Treyburn CC in Durham. Despite his public persona he actually treats people like dirt. However, this is a class move on his part. Good to see some people still recognize how great #44 was.
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