Could you imagine sitting courtside watching Michael Jordan’s legendary 55-point performance at Madison Square Garden just five games after he came out of retirement? What if you got paid to watch?
That happened to Kings broadcaster during his first season with the New York Knicks. Christie struggled to get minutes in 1994-95, even though he was coming off a strong season with the Los Angeles Lakers. But when he was traded to the Big Apple, then-Knicks coach Pat Riley told Christie he wasn't part of the plan.
So on March 28, 1995, Christie had an unobstructed view of one of the great performances in NBA history while sitting on the Knicks bench in uniform.
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“I watched every bucket from the sideline,” Christie said on the latest edition of the "Purple Talk" podcast. “That was John Starks and Hubert Davis that got the boatload of that.”
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Christie almost came away with Jordan’s shoes from the game in the Garden, but Monty Williams, the current coach of the Phoenix Suns, got to them first.
When Jordan came out of retirement a second time with the Washington Wizards, Christie was finally able to get a pair of shoes from Jordan from His Airness.
NBA
The autographed game-worn sneakers are part of Christie’s collection from his 15-year NBA career, although there was almost a mishap with the keepsake.
“I asked him, and he signed those shoes and I have them at the house,” Christie said. “My son tried to wear them one day. I’m like, ‘Dude, are you freaking nuts? What is wrong with you?’ ”
Could you imagine if Doug Jr. would have made it out of the house sporting the autographed Jordans?
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Christie grew up idolizing Jordan and trying to emulate his every move. Like the rest of the basketball world, he's glued to the ESPN documentary "The Last Dance" and loving the trip down memory lane.
“We’re blessed to have this stuff, man," Christie said. "and I am blessed to have been able to don the same court as, in my opinion, the greatest of all time.”
Christie’s career overlapped three NBA legends in Jordan, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. Not only was he in the Garden for Jordan’s 55-point outburst, but he defended Bryant in some of the most memorable playoff series in Kings history and was on the court for James’ first NBA game on Oct. 29, 2003 at Arco Arena.