'His Air-ness': Remembering a genius as a rookie

Sports Anchor Rafer Weigel

Imagine being at Mozart’s first concert or witnessing Michelangelo’s first painting in the making. Imagine that moment of being so moved by raw genius, and knowing that things would never be the same after that.

His Air-ness, the man who forever changed the game.

That’s what happened on a brisk November night on Chicago’s west side in 1984.

Thousands pilled into aging Chicago Stadium gathering for what they figured would be an otherwise pedestrian basketball game.

But instead lightning struck.

In the crowd was a 13-year-old boy tagging along with his dad—a sports reporter covering the game. The duo was in the press box where you’re kicked out if you’re caught cheering. It was a tough exercise in restraint for the boy. But on this night he wasn’t alone.

It was Michael Jordan’s 9th game as a rookie. The Bulls were hosting the San Antonio Spurs. There was some excitement over the kid from North Carolina. But nobody had any idea how his Air-ness would fly in the Windy City.

A few minutes into the game, Jordan went up against two defenders for a lay-up. He would change hands with the ball and change direction of his shot in mid-air. This would later become a patented move of Jordan’s. But this was the first time these fans had seen it. Just how impressive it was could be seen on the faces of those paid to cover it.

If you’ve never been to a press box you won’t find a more tepid atmosphere. While most watch games with some enthusiasm or emotion the folks in the press box show about as much excitement as judges at an equestrian event.

But when Jordan made that move a hush came across the box. It wasn’t like a guy had just made a great move. It was as if an alien had just landed on center court.

When the whistle blew and Jordan was going to the line, the boy couldn’t contain himself. An audible cheer escaped his mouth. “Damn! That was it!” he thought. “They’re going to kick me out!”

But when he looked up at his father expecting to be scolded, instead he saw something on his dad’s face he had never seen in all the years the two had gone to games together: A look of amazement.

And it wasn’t just the boy’s father. Every reporter seemed to be caught up in what they were seeing. As Jordan made move after move, dunk after dunk, there were gasps and outbursts all across the row. Here were seasoned veterans seemingly being transformed with child-like awe. They knew they were seeing something truly special. And just from that night you could tell the game would never be the same again. Jordan finished that night with 45 points and 10 rebounds.

For the boy it was the last time he and his dad seemed to share that “fan-like” moment together. As the boy got older he continued to stay passionate about Jordan and the Bulls and followed their every move to their six championships. For the dad, he covered the man and the team with professional enthusiasm only.

But for that moment they were all fans—a moment that boy will remember forever, thanks to Michael.

And now, we say “thank you” back to Michael for all those memories as he takes his rightful place in the Hall of Fame today.

Share your favorite Michael moment. Even you Knicks and Jazz fans!