DIRECTIONS
Each of the Bulls players was asked the question “Who was your sports idol growing up?” Match the player with their quote.
EXAMPLE
“My older brother Nikolai. He played professionally in Russia. Why look anywhere else when you’ve got an example right in your own home?”
Answer: Viktor Khryapa
THE JORDANAIRES
1. “Michael Jordan. Who else?”
Answer:
2. “MJ. C’mon. What kind of question is that?”
Answer:
3. “Michael Jordan. That’s obvious.”
Answer:
4. “I didn’t really idolize anybody. I just liked watching basketball. Michael Jordan and Chris Webber were my two favorites.”
Answer:
THE MAGIC MEN
5. “Magic Johnson. Like everybody else, I loved Michael Jordan too. But more people could relate to what Magic did than to what Michael did above the rim. Magic was a big guy who could handle the rock. That’s what I wanted to do.”
Answer:
6. “Magic Johnson. He created Showtime.”
Answer:
7. “Magic Johnson. I knew I was going to be a point guard, and Magic had that great combination of fundamentals and flair.”
Answer:
PAYTON’S PEOPLE
8. “Gary Payton. I liked him because he liked to talk trash all the time. He made the game fun.”
Answer:
9. “Gary Payton. He was a true point guard who had a great nickname (The Glove) because of the way he played defense.”
Answer:
EVERYBODY ELSE
10. “The Doctor. Dr. J. Because he walks like me and talks like me. Nah, actually, it was because that’s all my older brothers would talk about. They liked his dunks and his Afro.”
Answer:
11. “Muhammad Ali. I liked him because of everything he stood for. He was a wonderful athlete, but he was more than an athlete.”
Answer:
12. “Ronaldo. He turned pro when he was 13. That’s amazing. I remember the first time I saw him in person, I couldn’t believe what he could do on the soccer field.”
Answer:
13. “I’ve got one, but I’d rather not say. It’s a basketball player, though.”
Answer:
14. “Shaq. Because he’s big and so good.”
Answer:
THE PLAYERS
Starters
Kirk Hinrich G
Ben Gordon G
Luol Deng F
Joe Smith F
Ben Wallace C
Coming off the bench
JamesOn Curry G
Chris Duhon G
Thomas Gardner G-F
Aaron Gray C
Adrian Griffin G-F
Viktor Khryapa F
Joakim Noah F-C
Andres Nocioni F
Thabo Sefolosha G
Tyrus Thomas F
ANSWERS: 1. Andres Nocioni, 2. JamesOn Curry, 3. Thomas Gardner, 4. Thabo Sefolosha, 5. Adrian Griffin, 6. Joe Smith, 7. Chris Duhon, 8. Ben Gordon, 9. Kirk Hinrich, 10. Ben Wallace, 11. Joakim Noah, 12. Luol Deng, 13. Tyrus Thomas, 14. Aaron Gray
