Opponents

Rod Strickland, Minnesota Timberwolves guard:
I thought [Jordan] was crazy for coming back. I didn't think he should come back because he's done it all. Everyone was worried that he would mess up his legacy. But he has enhanced his legacy. I don't think anyone expected him to be this good. They can say it, but I don't think anyone expected it.

Jason Kidd, New Jersey Nets All-Star guard:
You don't let a shark know that you've got a cut and that you're bleeding. The guy is an assassin. He'll be your friend; that's for sure. But when it's out there on the line, he has one job to do, and that's to destroy you. He did that quite well the last time we played them.

Todd MacCulloch, Philadelphia 76ers centre, referring to a game in 2001-02:
Judging by [Jordan's] 41-point performance against us in the preseason, it seems like he's back in a big way. He played significant minutes and in a regular season game, he probably would have played more. He might have scored 50 points. I think the fans are going to be delighted by what they see this year.

This game was something I was really looking forward to. I had made a mental note of when we were playing the Wizards and I was thinking about how much fun it was going to be to play against him. To play well and for us to win, I hope we have the same result when we meet in the regular season. It's fun to play against Michael Jordan but it's more fun to beat Michael Jordan.

Michael Jordan is a five-time NBA Most Valuable Player and has won six NBA titles. Garrett W. Ellwood NBAE/Getty Images

Calbert Cheaney, Utah Jazz guard/forward:
He's good for [the Wizards] in terms of lifting everybody's game. He just brings out the best in everybody.

Steve Nash, Dallas Mavericks All-star guard:
Once, when I was playing for Phoenix, I asked Michael for his shoes right in the middle of a game. After the game, he signed them and gave them to me.

"Human Highlight Film" and NBA Great Dominique Wilkins:
Michael and I always had great battles. They were fun battles. When you're playing against Mike, the competitor in you always brings you to the top of your game. We always brought out the best in each other.

For years I was chasing Michael for the scoring title spot. We always ended up one and two for six or seven years in a row. It's the ultimate feeling. It's an awesome feeling to do that because it's not often that players can elevate their games night in and night out.

Jon Barry, Detroit Pistons guard:
Michael Jordan is the best competitor I've ever seen.

Teammates

Sam Vincent, former Jordan teammate with Chicago:
Michael, like Larry Bird, has an incredible work ethic. He is a guy who comes into every single practice and works as hard as he possibly can. Obviously the combination of that work ethic with the talent that he has, that's what makes him Michael Jordan. He's a special person to me.

Scottie Pippen, Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward and former Jordan teammate with Chicago, on his favourite Jordan move (1993 Eastern Conference Finals vs. New York):
My favourite Jordan move came from that series, where he went baseline, and Charles Oakley cut the baseline off. Michael kind of turned his back to him, then he did a spin back and was able to get by him and dunk on Patrick [Ewing]. That was probably the most dominating move I've ever seen, to be able just to break the whole defence down like that.

Steve Kerr, San Antonio Spurs guard and former Jordan teammate with Chicago, on the Bulls' championships:
Let's face it. We all hopped on Michael's back. He just carried us. The guy was ridiculous. He is so good, it's scary.

John Paxson, former Jordan backcourt mate in Chicago:
I think there came a point where he understood his greatness was going to be defined by winning. That's why I saw a change in his real commitment to winning championships.

Coaches

Bob Knight, Jordan's 1984 Olympic basketball coach:
I told a very good friend of mine who had a draft pick [in 1984] that was pretty high in the NBA . . . "You gotta take Jordan."

[He said], "Well, we need a centre."

I said, "Play Jordan at centre."

Doug Collins, Washington Wizards head coach:
I think [Jordan] is more of a surgeon now. Before he just beat you with sheer will, skill and energy. Now he slices you. He finds out where to attack you. He reads you and he has a clock in his head.

I always said the older you get the easier the game comes to you. It's unfortunate your legs get older. But with Michael he has used that brilliant mind of his and he just plays and does what he needs on any particular night.

John Lucas, Cleveland Cavaliers head coach:
Michael is the ultimate pro. From the way he plays to how he conducts himself with the public and the media. Our guys can learn a lot from him.

Jerry Sloan, Utah Jazz head coach:
I think everybody knows how he should be remembered . . . as the greatest player who has ever played.