As “The Last Dance” captures the imagination of basketball fans across the globe, some of the stars of the 1990s Chicago Bulls teams are enjoying another boost in popularity.
Horace Grant, who featured prominently on the Bulls’ first three NBA championship teams, is one player fondly remembered by fans who loved watching him during his 17-year career.
Grant took some time to answer questions from fans during a Reddit AMA on Friday. He covered everything from playing alongside Michael Jordan to why he started wearing his signature goggles.
Here’s the best from Grant’s Q + A with fans.
Note: Questions were edited for clarity.
Reddit user Spotty15 asked: How difficult was learning the triangle, and why do you think it’s difficult for teams/coaches to implement it today?
A: If you studied Mandarin for the first time, that’s how difficult it was. Because if you shut down 50 to 100 options, then it has about 200 more options. That’s how complicated and difficult learning it is, but once you learn it, you start kicking yourself wondering why you didn’t get this from the beginning. It’s like a well-oiled machine once you get it and everyone knows their place in it.
Today, basketball is more of a one-on-one type of feel, isolations, and things of that nature. It’s intriguing that the triangle offense has produced 11 championships– the Bulls 6 and the Lakers 5 with Phil Jackson. Coaches really don’t want to buy into it, or the players don’t want to buy into it, or are not capable of running it.
-Mexico- asked: Hey Horace, I really appreciate the fact that you continued to wear the protective eyewear; it really helped me start to wear glasses as a kid.
A: The first couple years, they were prescription goggles. I had grandmothers, grandfathers, mothers and dads coming up to me, letting me know that it inspired their grandkids and kids to wear goggles or glasses. A lot of kids would get bullied for wearing glasses and goggles, so I guess I made it pretty cool to wear them. So then I just continued to wear them without the prescription in it.
Ace10101 asked: Who was the toughest player you had to match up against?
A: There’s so many. I think the most physical was Charles Oakley. He was a combination of the late great Anthony Mason and of Kevin Willis. When I faced those guys, from a physical standpoint, I had to go home and take an ice bath and just sit in there because I was black and blue.
But talent-wise, I would say guys like Tim Duncan and Charles Barkley. It’s obvious how great Duncan was, and Barkley, 6’4” 6’5” at the most, could run, jump, had great ball handling skills, could shoot it from the outside, great rebounder, and just a great scorer. So those two guys on the offensive end.”
Evin_cashman asked: What do you think of the changing responsibilities of the power forward position? And would you see yourself as a better fit at the 4 or 5 if you were playing today?
A: I think I would be a combination of both. Back in the day, it was more of the power forward that banged, could protect the middle, all of that. Obviously the league has changed, but back in the day I had a nice little 17-18 foot jumper, and I know with practice, it could have gone out to the 3-pointer. Today, it’s mostly no post ups … you have the 4s and 5s out there shooting 3s. Back in the day, it was a lot more physical.
J-Duggs asked: Out of the three teams you faced in the Finals with the Bulls, which team was the biggest threat?
A: To me, the biggest threat as a team was the Portland Trail Blazers. They were very athletic, very talented, and they were physical up to a point.
As an individual, no question it was Charles Barkley. He didn’t want them to lose. The guy played with an injured elbow, draining the fluid and still going out there putting up 35 points a night.
Steed_Davidson asked: Which championship season was your favorite?
A: Each Finals had their unique moment … I’d say that first one. Getting through the Detroit Pistons, getting over that hump, maturing as a team and learning to play together as one unit throughout that whole year. And then facing the Lakers and the rich history that they have … playing against Magic Johnson, Big Game James Worthy, Sam Perkins, A.C. Green, who was an iron man, Byron Scott, all those guys. I would say that particular moment, facing them in the Finals, and then obviously winning.
Captainprice 101 asked: Did you regret leaving the Bulls to join the Orlando Magic?
A: It was one of the toughest, most difficult decisions I made in my life. After winning three championships, the year MJ retired, we had a pretty good season, winning 55 games and taking the Knicks to a Game 7. It was a pretty darn good year. I sat down with Scottie and I said “listen, I’ve got to look out for myself and my family.” And he understood. We embraced, we talked a little bit more, and I wished him well and he wished me well. It was tough.
On the other hand, you look at a team with Shaq, Penny Hardaway … that was a great opportunity for me to go and lend my expertise to a young team with great talent.
Linkertan asked: What would you tell your younger self if you could go back in time?
A: I would say first, patent your goggles. Then I would say, have Michael Jordan sign a pair of those first Air Jordans. And then I would say really cherish the moment with the NBA Finals. Soak it up. Truly enjoy it.
Backoff11 asked: Do you see any players who compare to your game in the modern NBA?
A: It was so different back then, a bit more physical. If I had to choose one guy, I would say Serge Ibaka, from the perspective that he can shoot the ball from a distance, he’s a pretty good rebounder, and he’s a really good team defender.
