It's July 1993, at Elmhurst College near Chicago.  I'm a guest of Michael Jordan at his basketball camp for boys and girls.  During one of Michael's lectures, he talked about one-on-one moves.  The next thing I know, it's me and Mike going one-on-one with 450 campers watching.  My goal was not only to make Michael sweat, but also to make him work.  He's a talker.  He talks trash.  And, he's full of confidence.  He was trying to intimidate me, seeing if I would accept the challenge.  I'm thinking no way am I going to roll over and let him have his way.  I wasn't about to let his reputation and his confidence sway my confidence.  Obviously, I'm overmatched.  I did manage to make some moves and slide by for a lefty running shot off the glass.  Not only did it put a smile on his face, but the shot drew a cheer from the kids.  OK, I lost 10-2, but I was giving it my best - mentally and physically.  I think my effort and confidence surprised everyone.  It wasn't about the score and who won and who lost.  It was about earning Michael's respect and keeping my own.  I had the confidence from years of experience to play him to the best of my ability.  I couldn't ask more of myself.

"I wasn't the player he was, but I walked off the court knowing inside I had done the best with what I was given.  You can't control the hand dealt to you, but you can control yourself becoming the best you can.  You measure success by what you do not by what the guy next to you does."

Nancy Lieberman-Cline

in the book

Basketball For Women

EDHS Library

Call # - 796.3238 LIE

Tom McConnell talking 

about playing against

John Paxson in high school.

(an ordinary Joe versus a

future NBA all star.)