Jordan's 13-word speech while smoking cigar on plane inspired NBA title win
One of Michael Jordan ’s teammates revealed his short yet profound speech during their run to the 1993 NBA title.
The Chicago Bulls were going for their third straight title and were leading the Phoenix Suns 3-2 in the Finals. Having had the opportunity to win the series at home in Game 5, Jordan and his teammates were beaten 108-98.
As the Bulls headed to Phoenix for Game 6, Darrell Walker - a bench player for the Bulls - has revealed how Jordan made it clear that would be the last game of the series.
"I remember we were on the charter plane going to Phoenix," Walker said in an interview with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazet in 2020.
"M.J. got on with a little bag and he's smoking a cigar, and he goes, 'Boys, I packed for one day. We're coming back as world champions tomorrow.’”
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Jordan was as good as his word. His 33 points, seven assists and eight rebounds led the Bulls to a narrow 99-98 victory and a 4-2 series win. It meant the Bulls became the first team since the Boston Celtics of the 1960s to win three consecutive championships.
Walker, who won his only NBA championship that year, spoke of the confidence Jordan’s words gave the team after failing to close the series out the series in the previous game. "That just lifted all the tension off the plane and threw it out the door," he added.
"It was like, 'The best player in the world just said we're going to win, so it's going to happen.’ When we won, we were celebrating, jumping up and down and drinking champagne, going crazy. It was just an unbelievable time in my career and my life."
Jordan won his third NBA Finals MVP after averaging 41 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game against the Suns. Walker meanwhile, averaged 6.5 points and 8.2 assists in the 1993 playoffs. After he was released by the Detriot Pistons in 1992, Walker was contemplating his future when Jerry Krause, Chicago's general manager at the time, contacted him to find out if he was interested in signing with the Bulls.
He jumped at the chance given he would be playing in home town and have the chance to play with Jordan. "Jerry wanted some toughness," Walker said. "He wanted a veteran defensive guy to come off the bench and play some minutes if necessary. He was very honest about what my role would be, and I had no problem accepting that role.
Jordan's former teammate Darrell Walker said his speech on the plane ahead of the title-winning game gave instilled confidence and belief in the team (MARIO TAMA/AFP via Getty Images)"You're talking about being on a team going for a three-peat with one of the greatest players of all-time in Michael Jordan."
Walker played in the NBA for 10 years and his title with the Bulls came in his final season in the league. In all he turned out for five teams during his decade in the NBA which included the New York Knicks, who he was representing when he won a spot on the All-Rookie First team in 1984.
His best campaign came while playing for the former Washington Bullets, now known as the Wizards, in 1990 when he averaged 9.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game.
Walker went into coaching after his playing days and spent time both in head coach and assistant coaching roles in the NBA for almost 20 years. He currently coaches at Little Rock Trojans men's basketball, who represents the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
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