How Jordan REALLY broke his ribs???

[CeltsSteve@AOL.com]

The Chicago Trib has an article in today's edition that "speculates" that the version currently circulating is what really occurred that fateful day. Seems that MJ was in full trash talk mode with Antoine and Artest and Artest ended end body slamming him and then a fight ensued. All parties in the gym that day were sworn to secrecy to preserve the Legend.

http://www.chicagosports.com/bulls/content/column/0,2007,154835,00.html


The mystery of the broken ribs

So just how does someone break two ribs being guarded? If Ron Artest were that strong, wouldn't the Bulls have been a little better?

The hottest rumor about Michael Jordan's rib injury in Chicago is that it occurred in a fight with Artest. Artest denies it, but being slammed to the ground is how you can break ribs, and that's the story going around.

It's being said that Jordan was in full trash-talk mode that day. He had been telling Antoine Walker of the Celtics to count on four losses to the Wizards next season, and he was hitting jump shots in the face of Artest and taunting Artest about his time with the Bulls and was getting personal. The story is that Artest stayed back in the lane, and then when Jordan came in the next time, Artest grabbed him and slammed him to the floor. That's supposedly when the ribs were broken.

Artest is also said to have thrown a punch at Jordan afterward. Word is the participants were sworn to secrecy or wouldn't be allowed back in the private gym near Jordan's West Side restaurant. Who knows if it's true, but it certainly sounds more realistic than the story Jordan has been telling. 

Copyright 2001 The Chicago Tribune