‘I’m not losing in this building’
Jordan’s competitive streak extended to the 1988 All-Star game in Chicago — and his peers weren’t surprised
It’s one of those legendary NBA moments, part of All-Star Weekend folklore and a story Doc Rivers seemingly loves to tell.
The East was up 60-54 over the West at halftime of the 1988 All-Star Game at Chicago Stadium, but Michael Jordan wasn’t happy about it in the East locker room.
Rivers told the Tribune in 2008 that the Bulls legend said, “‘If you guys want to have some fun’ ... then he looked at (coach) Mike (Fratello) and said, ‘Put somebody else in because I’m not losing in this building.’ ”
It was a classic Jordan moment and one of several memories All-Stars from the 1988 game shared with the Tribune this week as Chicago prepared for the 2020 All-Star Game. Events are taking place Friday-Sunday at the United Center and Wintrust Arena during the first All-Star Weekend here in 32 years.
But Fratello claimed he couldn’t recall the moment.
“I don’t remember it,” said Fratello, the former Hawks coach who helmed the East team. “I don’t want to come up with something and create something that wasn’t, but Doc remembered it the other night in talking about it (on TV).
“For my own curiosity I want to ask him what happened, what was said, fill in one of the blanks.”
Was there collective amnesia in Atlanta? Dominique Wilkins, another 1988 All-Star, couldn’t remember the encounter either when asked by the Tribune this week.
“It’s a long time. I can’t even go that
Jordan, who scored 40 points in the game, was named All-Star Game MVP. far back,” he said. “Thirty-two years is a long time.
“I knew Mike didn’t want to lose that game, not in his building. Let me tell you, that game — that was a game. Mike wanted to play that fourth quarter and do his thing and win in front of his home crowd, and we did.”
Jordan’s 40 points helped the East weather a 44-point fourth quarter by the West to take home a 138-133 win and earned him MVP honors.
Jordan managed to star among a Hall of Fame starting five that included Wilkins, Larry Bird, Isiah Thomas and Moses Malone. Fratello insisted players didn’t defer to Jordan on his home court.
“I think it was a respect factor,” Fratello said. “There was nobody more competitive than Michael, but Dominique was very competitive also.
If it wasn’t Michael getting 40, ‘Nique very well could have been MVP of the game. ‘Nique (29 points) had a pretty damn good night.
“It wasn’t like ‘Nique was conceding anything, but everybody had the respect that this was Michael’s court, Michael’s city, and if he’s open, get him the ball. But they didn’t go out of their way to set him up.
“He earned his. He went out and got it.”
The competition among those 1988 All-Stars is something they said is missing from today’s annual showcase.
That includes Thomas, the Chicago native and Pistons legend.
“The thing that has changed the most, the competitive aspect of the game has really changed,” he said. “Where we wanted to be competitive and also be entertained, (now) it’s more entertainment and less about the competition.
“The fans seem to enjoy it. I guess it’s just different eras.”
Added Wilkins: “I just think they’ve got to play a little. Little more defense. Just make it more competitive. It hasn’t been competitive in a while.”
Wilkins couldn’t speculate why fierceness on the floor has waned, or at least has been inconsistent, in recent years (2017 among the worst). Other observers have pondered whether some current players want to avoid injuries — or avoid being posterized on a play by a fellow elite talent and be forever mocked on social media.
“Then why compete? Showing up each other, isn’t that why we compete?” Wilkins asked. “We compete to prove to each other that we’re the best of the best. You still can be friends, nothing against that, but when you’re on that court, ain’t no friends.
“My brother (Gerald Wilkins), who I played against 14 years, love him to death. But when he steps between these lines, I don’t know you. That’s just the way we were.”