Current:Home > reviewsLenny Wilkens tells how Magic Johnson incited Michael Jordan during lazy Dream Team practice -GrowthInsight
Lenny Wilkens tells how Magic Johnson incited Michael Jordan during lazy Dream Team practice
View
Date:2025-04-15 19:02:58
Much has been made about the original 1992 Dream Team and how competitive the practices were, considering the players probably knew weren't going to get much competition once the team set foot in Barcelona.
Hall of Fame coach Lenny Wilkens, who was an assistant on the Dream Team, tells of one instance when practice wasn't going as planned, and head coach Chuck Daly was starting to fume at the lack of intensity.
"For a coach, it was a dream come true to have that kind of talent. And they were always ready. ... And they challenged one another."
"Guys were going through the motions, one time," Wilkens said to host Bob Kendrick on the Black Diamonds podcast.
Wilkens said he called Magic Johnson over to discuss the practice.
"We don't have to be here all day. We can be here as short a period of time depending on how we perform," Wilkens said he told Johnson.
HALL OF FAME: How Dream Team influenced inductees
Johnson didn't need another word, telling Wilkens, "I got it, coach. I'll take care of it."
According to Wilkens, Johnson talked to a few of his teammates about how they were playing and then came to Michael Jordan.
"He started to get on Michael and that's all we needed," Wilkens said. "Michael went berserk."
Jordan's antics forced Daly to stop the practice, fearing that a team member would get hurt.
"We laugh about it to this day. I saw Magic not too long ago ... and he reminded me of it," Wilkens said.
Of course, the Dream Team, the first time USA Basketball used professionals in Olympic competition, steamrolled its opponents in Barcelona by an average of 44 points a game on the way to the gold medal.
veryGood! (5)
Related
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- UCF apologizes for National Guard social post during game against Kent State
- A building marked by fire and death shows the decay of South Africa’s ‘city of gold’
- Students transform their drab dorm rooms into comfy living spaces
- NCAA hands former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh a 4-year show cause order for recruiting violations
- Russia attacks a Ukrainian port before key grain deal talks between Putin and Turkey’s president
- Hayden Panettiere Debuts Bold New Look That Screams Pretty in Pink
- NC trooper fatally shoots man in an exchange of gunfire after a pursuit and crash
- What were Tom Selleck's juicy final 'Blue Bloods' words in Reagan family
- Ukrainian students head back to school, but not to classrooms
Ranking
- Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
- Russian students are returning to school, where they face new lessons to boost their patriotism
- ‘Margaritaville’ singer Jimmy Buffett, who turned beach-bum life into an empire, dies at 76
- Hartford USL team says league refuses to reschedule game despite COVID-19 outbreak
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- UCF apologizes for National Guard social post during game against Kent State
- Glowing bioluminescent waves were spotted in Southern California again. Here's how to find them.
- Scientists Find Success With New Direct Ocean Carbon Capture Technology
Recommendation
'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
Upset alert for Clemson, North Carolina? College football bold predictions for Week 1
Students criticize the University of North Carolina’s response to an active shooter emergency
Rumer Willis Breastfeeds Daughter Louetta at the Beach After Being Mom-Shamed
'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Spotted at Beyoncé's Renaissance World Tour Concert
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami face Los Angeles FC in MLS game: How to watch
NWSL's Chicago Red Stars sold for $60 million to group that includes Cubs' co-owner