Jordan's interview with John Thompson

Below are a few highlights from TNT analyst John Thompson’s exclusive interview with NBA All-Star Michael Jordan.

The entire interview will air on TNT on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. ET as part of the one hour special TNT Salutes Michael Jordan. The special will also include a live roundtable with TNT Analysts, and Jordan contemporaries, Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson, Kenny Smith and Danny Ainge.

Thompson: As you leave the game, what lessons do you want to leave for young athletes coming in?

Jordan: Be true to the game, because the game will be true to you. If you try to shortcut the game, then the game will shortcut you. If you put forth the effort, good things will be bestowed upon you. That’s truly about the game, and in some ways that’s about life too.

Thompson: Have you ever met anyone that you felt was as competitive as you are?

Jordan: No, I just feel that my competitive drive is far greater than anyone else that I’ve met, and I think that I thrive on that. I think that’s my biggest motivation in life, to compete, find different competitions in certain things in life and try to overcome that, be it positive or negative. But I have yet to met someone who is as competitive as me.

Thompson: How would you like to be remembered?

Jordan: As a winner that sacrificed every aspect of his game for the sake of winning and would do anything to cover holes of a team or a player so that we can win, and I truly love the game of basketball. I truly love the game; I wouldn’t be playing if I didn’t love the game. I’m not getting paid astronomical dollars; it’s truly for the love of the game of basketball.