FRANK Brickowski had a memorable battle with Chicago Bulls legend Dennis Rodman during the 1996 NBA Finals.
But the highlight of the journeyman’s 13-year spell in the NBA was the night he walked into one of Michael Jordan’s all-night poker games.
3
Frank Brickowski clashes with Dennis Rodman during the 1996 NBA FinalsCredit: Getty
3
The Seattle SuperSonics forward fights for the ball with Michael JordanCredit: AFP
3
Brickowski once walked into Jordan’s $2million all-night poker sessionCredit: Getty
The former Seattle SuperSonics forward was hanging out with Charles Oakley in a hotel one morning when the New York Knicks bruiser got a phone call from Jordan.
The two then went up to the NBA legend’s hotel suite and were astonished by what they saw.
“Charles Oakley comes up behind me and grabs me and we laugh,” Brickowski told The Oregonian.
“He gets a phone call and he says, ‘I’m talking with Brick,’ and then he says to me, ‘Let’s go.’
“So I just follow him out the door, we go to this other tower and we up and we go to Michael’s suite and he has a gambling game still going on from the night before.
“It’s nine o’clock in the morning and I look around the room and all I see is piles of cash.
Only later did Brickowski realize that $2million in cash was being gambled with.
“I saw Oakley later that night and said, ‘Oak, how much money was in that room? There must have been a million dollars in that room’,” he added.
“He held up two fingers – there was $2million in cash in that room.”
Jordan’s gambling habits were legendary but Brickowski defended the Hall of Famer.
“Michael had a propensity to gamble, he could afford to gamble,” he says.
“You can say if that’s a problem or not, or judge him, but I don’t judge him.
“The guys who made the money and enjoyed the gambling, it gave them a way to escape from the game and the grind.
“Michael is a normal dude if he’s in a safe environment and he creates the safe environment.”
During Game 3 of the 1996 NBA finals, Rodman memorably managed to get Brickowski thrown out after taunting him.
The Bulls won the game 108–86 and the series 4-2, securing their fourth title in six years.
Brickowski retired the following season and went on to work for the National Basketball Players Association.
News
BBC Strictly’s Pete Wicks shares blunt four-word statement about time on BBC show
Former Strictly Come Dancing star Pete Wicks has been reflecting on his time on the BBC talent show, as he appeared on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch. Strictly…
Corries SHOCK: Mason is actually not de@d! Lisa and Besty were the ones who saved him to protect a witness! But when will Mason make his return?
Fans of *Coronation Street* have been left in shock after the unexpected death of Mason, a character whose fate has become the subject of wild fan theories….
Hoda Kotb shared a “strict rule” she imposed for the gifts her two daughters receive, surprising many: “I’d sever ties with anyone who broke my rule.”
Hoda Kotb reveals the Christmas present she won’t be getting for her daughters Hope and Haley, stating it’s a “big no.” Find out what she says is…
Coronation Street Spoilers: Dyan is completely haunted by Mason’s de@th and is even more terrified after receiving mysterious phone calls from Germany demanding “Mason” from him!
Coronation Street viewers were left in shock and disbelief after the heartbreaking death of Mason Radcliffe, played by Luca Toolan, in the episode that aired on Monday,…
BBC Strictly Come Dancing’s Chris McCausland issued ‘best’ demand from Dianne Buswell as next move revealed
Chris has announced his next move while the pair are still riding high after winning the BBC One dance contest in December Strictly Come Dancing’s Chris McCausland…
Isabel Webster, ex-GB NEWS presenter, broke her silence, saying she was heartbroken after being let go: “They only needed 5 minutes to dismiss me…”
GB News presenter Isabel Webster has opened up about her unexpected departure from the channel, breaking her silence following the surprise announcement of her exit. Known for…
End of content
No more pages to load
