Like Mike…if I could Be Like Mike!

by

Marketing genius struck when I was 14.  The year was 1991.

Sometimes I dream

That he is me

You’ve got to see that’s how I dream to be

I dream I move

I dream I groove

Like Mike

If I could Be Like Mike

Again I try

Just need to fly

For just one day if I could

Be that way

I dream I move

I dream I groove

Like Mike

If I could Be Like Mike

Now two years down the timeline.

Soaked with sweat, the result of playing hours of basketball in a high school gym with no air conditioner, amongst the sweltering heat that is Florida’s life companion, I would throw myself into my car.  Imagine Patrick Ewing a few minutes into any game when he was with the New York Knicks.  Did anyone ever sweat more than Ewing?

I would drive down East Avenue, which was the width of two normal streets in most towns today.  It was a reminder of a slower time, when space and land weren’t at a premium.  Just a mile or two from the gym was an oasis or what is commonly referred to as a convenience store.  I would pull my then 16 year old, thin frame, out of my car and mosey into refreshment.

The cool wave of air from the opening of the store’s metal and glass doors would welcome me like Festus would U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon (Gunsmoke).

I though, was there for one thing.

Citrus Cooler Gatorade.

I had read somewhere that Citrus Cooler was Michael Jordan’s favorite flavor and it just so happened to be mine as well.  Merely a coincidence. 😉

Sliding open the refrigeration case door and not finding the Citrus Cooler Gatorade was the equivalent of opening that beautifully packaged Christmas gift and seeing some socks.  You needed the socks and were thankful, but for Christmas?

More times than not though, the Citrus Cooler was there.

In those days, I was probably Gatorade’s number one individual consumer of their Citrus Cooler flavor.  It was my go to drink.

In those days, just like the lyric in the jingle, I would imagine waking up and having MJ’s abilities for just one day.  The ability to take off and soar to the hoop Like Mike.  To be the best basketball player in the World for a few hours Like Mike.

I was a dreamer then and now! 🙂

Some 19 years after its original release, Gatorade’s “Be Like Mike” commercial is still one of my all-time favorites.

Anytime I hear that marketing jingle I immediately want to grab a basketball and work on my game.

I know at this point, I won’t be Mike Jordan.

My goal is to merely push Kenny Eller (already thinking more like an athlete with my 3rd person reference…haha) to be the best that he can be.

I’m now less than a week from Impact Basketball training!  I’m hoping to get a glimpse into what MJ did to become Like Mike!

Sometimes I dream…that he is meeee….

Gatorade’s “Be Like Mike” Commercial

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0AGiq9j_Ak

Note:  I woke up Monday with a sore throat. 🙁  Everyone around me has been sick.  Pray for me and my health…please!  I need to be 100% for Impact Basketball training on the 18th. Thanks!

14 thoughts on “Like Mike…if I could Be Like Mike!”

  1. I have been humming this song all morning! Great post! I am also craving some citrus cooler…maybe it will make me able to dunk:-)

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  5. Wow Kenny, pulling things out of another generation – – “The cool wave of air from the opening of the store’s metal and glass doors would welcome me like Festus would U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon – Gunsmoke”– That was one of my parents favorite TV shows when I was growing up and I am “OLD”.

    I also remember when the Gatorade commercial came out. I was coaching a great high school player at the time who had to have #23 for her game jersey. She was really into that commercial. When she graduated she set the school record for scoring, steals, assists and was 3rd in rebounding and she was only 5’7″. She got a college scholarship to University of Arizona then transferred to the University of Wisconsin and set the school record for steals at Wisconsin in only 3 years. She went on to play in the ABL and WNBA. Wanting to be like Mike can really inspire people.

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    • Hahah, Jim you literally had me laughing out loud with, “and I am OLD.” Haha, so funny!

      Yeah, my parents used to watch the old Gunsmoke re-runs I guess. Marshall Dillion had the quick trigger! 😉

      That is awesome about your player!! Did you know she was that good when you were coaching her? Could you tell even then?

      I’ve got to go watch the commercial again! 😉 Thanks for the comment!

      Reply

  6. I remember the commercial so well. The only other commercial that comes close is Mean Joe Green, remember that one? It was pretty great too. But…MJ’S Be Like Mike is simply the best. He was the best basketball player ever and will always be to you and me:-). No one else compares.

    Keep up the good work. I am enjoying following your dream with you.

    Hey MJ – watch out Kenny Eller is coming to play.

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  7. Stopping at Cumberland Farms on East Ave. for a Citrus Cooler Gatorade…. sounds like every day of my life for years! After that we all hit the 8ft goals for a dunk contest… Good times in early 90’s Clermont! Feel better~

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