THE VERDICT: Michael and Cheli, Part II

During the spring of 1992, Chicago sports fans enjoyed a rare treat. Both the Blackhawks and Bulls were pursuing championships. Within a few weeks, there were 21 playoff games at the Stadium, occasionally on consecutive nights.
Chris Chelios and Michael Jordan, already buddies, saw each other frequently.

"Especially nights they played at home," recalled Chelios, the Blackhawks' Hall of Fame ambassador. "They practiced up north and we practiced at UIC. But when the Bulls played, I would go, sometimes with JR (Jeremy Roenick), always with Noons (Brian Noonan).
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THE VERDICT: Michael and Cheli, Pt. I
"During playoffs, we stayed at a downtown hotel so we were right there. Go to the Bulls, then get our rest. We'd pull out a couple chairs from the back and put 'em right there on the floor. James, Michael's father, was always there, and we'd duck out for a beer with him. The buzz in the building was amazing.
"Michael would come by and say hello, like during the warmups. Got a great picture of him, my daughter Caley and me shooting hoops. He had that ability to be loose and laughing before the game. I don't have to tell you what he was like during games, do I? We fed off them, probably, more than they fed off us. They already had one title, the year before against the Lakers.
"They went on to get their second, against Portland, in 1992. We were still trying to get one. When they won, it felt like we won. But unfortunately, we didn't win. Had a great run going into the Final, 11 straight wins, but then we blew a 4-1 lead at Pittsburgh in the opening game and got swept."

Those were heady times, but sports are cyclical. The Blackhawks, born in 1926, had rough patches. During the 1950s, they played neutral site "home" games in Omaha and Indianapolis. But they revived, because Chicago is a passionate hockey town.
Pro basketball, though, was a tough sell. The most successful basketball teams in Chicago were the Harlem Globetrotters and DePaul with George Mikan. The Gears didn't last, and while the National Basketball Association had franchises in Ft. Wayne and Syracuse, Chicago was vacant.
The Packers became the Zephyrs and then fled to Baltimore. When the Bulls debuted, they played at the Amphitheater. Everybody's watching "The Last Dance" now. That was the last chance. After one season, the Bulls in 1967 moved to the Stadium, owned by Arthur Wirtz, chairman of the Blackhawks. They drew 2,234 for their opener there and 891 for a game later.
Wirtz purchased controlling interest in the Bulls, providing them financial wherewithal. Eventually, they caught on. The Stadium, then the United Center, would have co-tenants to this day, collegial as ever now with Rocky Wirtz and Jerry Reinsdorf in charge. That's the business, highs and lows. Why, the New England Patriots almost moved to St. Louis.
"Always cool to have both teams in the same building," said Chelios. "We pulled for each other. Michael didn't care much for hockey, but the Blackhawks invited him to Game 5 of the 2010 Final against Philadelphia. He was there, in his Blackhawk sweater. They dressed up his statue too. Why I was in a suit, can't tell you. Michael took off a little early, to beat traffic and watch the NBA Finals. Boston-Lakers, I think. We met up at his restaurant.

"Then there was the time both teams were in Vancouver. We played, then all of us met up with the Bulls at a bar. Everybody, both teams. JR is playing pool with Michael. We're there until maybe 5 in the morning. Nobody slept. Scottie Pippen was quoted saying the Bulls played like crap the next night because they were out with those crazy Blackhawks."
Synergy. During the National Anthem at old Boston Garden, Larry Bird said he drew inspiration by fixating on the banner of Bobby Orr's retired No. 4. Now, even as Jordan runs the Charlotte Hornets, with a mansion and his own golf course in Florida, the bond with Chelios is strong.
"Listen to this," Chelios said. "My son Jake is with the Charlotte Checkers, American League, a few years ago. Who shows up to watch him but Michael? Guys are looking through the glass. Is that who we think it is?
"I've fished in a tournament with Michael. He's competitive there, too. He said he never liked the water unless he could touch bottom, but he loves the boat. Gives him peace, space. So does golf. Golf and cigars. I go down and see him, but I can't keep up with him on the course. So I play in the group behind him, where he can't take my money."
Golf loves Jordan in return. He's a fixture at the Ryder Cup. For the 2009 Presidents Cup in San Francisco, American captain Fred Couples smartly appointed Jordan an assistant. Within ten minutes, he was one of the guys. Caddie John Wood found a picture of John Starks dunking over Jordan, blew it up, and posted it in the team room. Michael loved it.

"That's him," Chelios went on. "He's just a normal guy. Fun to be around, makes everybody smile. Most famous athlete in the world, maybe along with Tiger Woods, who he also brought to the United Center. When Michael tried baseball, I went to see him at Birmingham, then Phoenix, where his manager was Terry Francona. Same thing. Just a regular person. He was there for my Hall of Fame induction. Him and his cigars. Expensive cigars. He got Tiger on them, but not me.
"You know, I'm fortunate to be friends with Wayne Gretzky, too. They're a lot alike. Both unbelievable talents, but so gracious with people, friendly. And they go at each other, because that's what they do, too. Gretz texted him not long ago. Somehow he came up with a number. Wayne said he earned $1 million more in his career than Michael.
"Just to mess with him. Don't know whether it's true or not. I was just a bystander. Observing. Michael sent him back a simple message. '6.' That's all. '6' As in six championships. Thank you very much. Wayne just laughed. Tough to go one up on Michael Jordan."