Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court

Role Models: Good and Bad

Tony Gwynn, Steve Young, Jerry Rice, Chris Evert, Emmett Smith, Cal Ripken Jr., Jack Nicklaus, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Pete Sampras, Wayne Gretsky, John Stockton, David Robinson, Akeem Olajuwon, and Kevin Johnson are outstanding examples for us of athletes with great style and class. I’m speaking both of their playing and conduct in the competitive arena and of what they’re doing with their lives and for their communities. They are wonderful role models.

Michael Jordan has showmanship on the court, but it seems to be a natural part of his exuberance and energy and love of the game. He avoids “in your face” stuff.

As great a player as Dennis Rodman is, and he is a great player, I wouldn’t want him on a team. He is an egotist ...