Chicago Bulls players quickly jumped to the defense of Michael Jordan after reports that a just-released book characterizes the Bulls star as a tyrant.
"I think this is going to be one of the best fictional stories since Mother Goose," said Stacey King, who was quoted in the book as having threatened Jordan. "It's sick. MJ is not a bad guy, but this book is aimed at him because he has the name.""The Jordan Rules," written by Chicago Tribune sports writer Sam Smith and released late Thursday, contends that Jordan reacted with anger to being denied membership at a Jewish country club in 1990. Jordan reportedly then said if he ever won the lottery, he would "go open up a country club and post a sign that said `No Jews Allowed."'
But Jordan denies making that statement.
"Why would I have to win the lottery to buy a golf course?" Jordan said. "I do make a little bit of money."
The book also contends Jordan boycotted President Bush for political reasons, dabbled in front-office politics with the Bulls and often drove recklessly.
It also portrays Jordan as selfish, overbearing and unpopular with his teammates.
"It's a betrayal on Sam Smith's part," Bulls center Cliff Levingston said. "We are a family. And like any family, there are going to be arguments.
"You're going to have some things on your chest, and you need an ear. Sam was that ear, and then he twisted things around to write a book and make money off it."
Jordan, King, Levingston and B.J. Armstrong all said they were unaware Smith was working on a book. But Smith disputed the players' claims. "Everybody in the Bulls organization knew what I was doing," Smith said. "If Cliff or anyone misunderstood, I'm sorry."