“This is not a coincidence…” Kenny Smith father and Michael Jordan’s ‘Eye of The Tiger’ sign shaped 2X NBA champion’s life

Michael Jordan has over the years, influenced careers of several basketball players and Kenny Smith was also one of them.

“This is not a coincidence…” Kenny Smith father and Michael Jordan’s ‘Eye of The Tiger’ sign shaped 2X NBA champion’s life

Kenny Smith on Jimmy Kimmel Live! (Jimmy Kimmel Live!)

In a tale that merges music, mentorship, and NBA glory, Kenny Smith shared a defining moment on Jimmy Kimmel Live! His father’s wisdom, paired with “Eye of the Tiger,” guided his journey. This lesson, linked unexpectedly to Michael Jordan, steered Smith toward his successful career. The iconic song not only motivated him but also symbolized a destined path to greatness.

Smith, a two-time NBA champion, cherished his father’s advice on having “the eye of the tiger” for basketball success. This counsel, embodying fierce resolve and a steadfast spirit, was underscored during a significant car ride with Michael Jordan. While in a car with him driving, Jordan played Eye of the Tiger, which Smith saw as no mere coincidence.

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Kenny Smith recalled on Jimmy Kimmel Live and said,

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My dad used to say you got to have the eye of the tiger if you want to be a great player, and we're in his [Michael Jordan's] car and he's driving and he says "You know what you got?" and he puts the song on, and it's the Eye of the Tiger song. He didn't know my dad had ever said that and I was like "Oh this is not a coincidence.

Upon joining the North Carolina team, Smith, hailing from New York, didn’t just bring basketball skills but also his home culture. Initially called “New York” by teammates, he introduced them to the emerging rap music scene. With a large boombox in tow, he played Run DMC’s beats around campus. Smith became key in blending sports with hip-hop culture in North Carolina.

The influence of “Eye of the Tiger” and Smith’s cultural contributions had a lasting effect on the team. Smith’s story transcends a personal success tale, highlighting mentorship, cultural exchange, and music’s influence on sports psychology. It illustrates how a song symbolizes perseverance, unity, and ambition, resonating in basketball’s legacy.

Kenny Smith thinks Steph Curry is the “Michael Jordan” of this era

Stephen Curry’s influence on the game is a hot topic. With a trophy cabinet boasting four NBA championships and several MVP awards, his impact is both profound and undeniable. Smith, during a segment on TNT, drew parallels between Curry and Jordan, emphasizing how each athlete transformed basketball in his own era.

Kenny Smith thinks Steph Curry is the Michael Jordan of this Era (NBAE)
Kenny Smith thinks Steph Curry is the Michael Jordan of this Era (NBAE)

The conversation often veers into the territory of offensive prowess when comparing Curry and Jordan. Although as a die-hard fan of the Warriors’ superstar, Smith doesn’t fail to point out the physicality and hand-checking Jordan contended with, which is marked less common in today’s game. Smith speculated that Michael Jordan would have easily averaged 45 points a game in today’s era.

Yet, despite these differences, the essence of the comparison remains. Curry, like Jordan before him, dominates the game, albeit in a style more suited to the contemporary landscape. Jordan’s era was defined by athleticism and power, Curry’s by precision and range. Kenny Smith’s juxtaposition of Curry with Jordan transcends a mere comparison of stats or style, it’s a testament to Curry’s significant role in evolving the game of basketball.

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