Michael Jordan might be playing a role in winning championships more than a decade after he retired, and we are not talking about his Charlotte Hornets.
After the Carolina Panthers won the NFC Championship Game on Sunday, NFL Network’s Marshall Faulk shared some of what Troy Aikman told him about the bond Cam Newton has developed with Jordan.
“(Troy Aikman) said Cam and Mike have formed this relationship and it’s really special,” Faulk explained. “And Mike told Troy that Cam started asking him about success and how to get to the next level. He also asked him, ‘Tell me your mindset when you had to deal with beating the bully.’ And Mike told him about the transformation in himself when (the Bulls) had to get over Detroit.”
For those who don’t know their NBA history, Jordan and the Bulls lost to the Pistons — also known as the “Bad Boys” at the time — in the playoffs three straight years from 1988-1990. Chicago eventually turned the corner and Jordan went on to win six NBA championships and take home the NBA Finals MVP trophy each time.
“Cam likened (the Panthers’) struggles with Seattle as the Bulls’ struggles with Detroit,” Faulk said. “That information that Mike gave him, I think he delivered it to the rest of the team.”
Jordan was in Charlotte to watch Newton lead the Panthers to a blowout win over the Arizona Cardinals:
A non-crying Michael Jordan watching Panthers – Cardinals pic.twitter.com/hzd4cwM2zM
— The Cauldron (@TheCauldron) January 25, 2016
Several years ago, Newton said that Jordan has become an “outlet” for him with the two both working in the Charlotte area.
Whatever His Airness has said to Newton seems to be working. Cam was brilliant against Arizona (check out his dance moves) and has his Panthers one win away from doing something that Jordan made a career out of.
