SportsLine Rewards member Chuck Ely asks M.J. a question

Question: Who is your closest friend in the NBA?

Michael: My closest friends are Charles Barkley, Scottie Pippen & Patrick Ewing.

Kwahme McNeil from Highpoint, NC

Question: How much did getting cut in high school drive you to be the person you are today?

Michael: I think that not making the Varsity team drove me to really work at my game, and also taught me that if you set goals, and work hard to achieve them -- the hard work can pay off. I think that all of my experiences in high school, college and in the pros have added to my success.

Ben Glaser from Pittsburgh, PA

Question: When you were a kid and you were playing basketball, did you stick your tongue out then, too?

Michael: Unfortunately, I think I did. It was a habit that I learned from my father who stuck out his tongue when he was concentrating. It's really not a safe habit, but one that has been hard to break.

Christoph Ott from Linz, AUT

Question: Which NBA team will win the championship this year?

Michael: I think it's going to be an interesting playoffs....I still believe that the Pacers, Knicks and Miami will fight it out in the east, and the Jazz is the team to beat in the west.

Jon Hernandez from Bagdad, AZ

Question: What was your most memorable NBA Finals moment?

Michael: I have a lot of favorites -- I think winning the first championship was great, and also winning the championship in 1996 after I returned to basketball was memorable. Last year's favorite moment was my "last shot" against the Jazz.

Check back every month for future fan e-mail sessions with Michael Jordan.