When I was younger, I really could not stand Michael Jordan. I did not like the Chicago Bulls because I was an Indiana Pacers fan and they always seemed to be in the way of them going to the championship. Even after the Pacers, were out every year, I could not stand rooting for them to win. I do not recall the first three championships because I was too young, but when Jordan came out of retirement, I really wanted the team to fail, but they did not. I hoped that Seattle would beat them first, then the Jazz the first time, and then I was extremely upset when Jordan won the game with his push off of Russell.
However, after over ten years of not having to deal with his dominance, I can look back and see how incredible his accomplishments were during those years. Other than his dominance on the court, he was incredibly popular amongst fans and other players, and he was extremely marketable. He was the greatest athlete of the time and because of that it lead to his popularity and Jordan took advantage of it by making his own line of, well by now, just about everything. His image is known worldwide and his clothing is still by far one of the most popular items to wear. I still remember in middle school when if you did not have the Jordan clothing or shoes that you were not a cool kid. Jordan had such an influence on just about everyone in the sports world and it is amazing that just one person can do that.
I now have an incredible respect for the man. I lost a little when he came back to play for the Wizards, but the man just loved playing the game that he could not give it up. Just like Favre. If you have the talent, you may as well keep on playing. He worked very hard to get where he was and I now look back and think about how incredible it was that he won three world championships with the Bulls, retired for eighteen months, and then he came back and still dominated for three straight years by winning three more championships.
People will always ask the question if there will ever be a “next Michael Jordan.” The answer really is no. There will never be a person that is to his level. He brought back popularity to the NBA that was not there before. He redefined the game and as popular as Kobe and LeBron are, they will never come close to doing as much for the game as Jordan did.
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I think this is a great post. I can see why you wouldn't have been a fan of Jordan back in the day, he was always spoiling everything for your team! Personally, I grew up with Jordan because my dad was a Bulls fan. There is no question as to his talent or the empire he built. I think he came around the NBA at just the right time. He was their hero when they needed one most. I also agree with your last paragraph. There absolutely won't be another Michael Jordan. At least not for a while. He did a lot for the game and helped make it what it is today for players like Lebron and Kobe. They can imitate, but can they really be "Like Mike?"
ReplyDeleteThere may never be another Jordan, but that doesn't me there will never be another player that is as good or even better than MJ.No one will ever transcend the shoe game the way the Jordan line did, no one will be as culturally dominate as Jordan was, but his stats will be topped, and his greatness might be matched. LeBron will break nearly ever record set (BY ANY PLAYER) and KOBE is just as dominate on the court as MJ was in the 90's. However, they will never be "His airness" because there can only be one 1st. KOBE, LeBron and everyone else to come in the future, are already walking down a paved road. A road that Jordan worked long, hard hours to lay.
ReplyDeleteI can really relate to how you felt about Jordan at first. I can still remember watching him hit that shot against the Cavs (over Ehlo) and feeling desolate. Cleveland was never supposed to lose to the Bulls--the Cavs had won all 6 games that season! But when I realized that people were studying the "Jordan effect," I became fascinated by the image that we remember as "Air Jordan." My only question is this--why is Jordan always considered the greatest when Bill Russell won 9 titles?
ReplyDeleteI think that Bill Russell was during a time that basketball was not nearly as popular. During the 90's, basketball hit its prime and mainly because of the Bulls and Michael Jordan, the prime has not gone away because the great players just keep on coming. Bill Russell was clearly great, but I think the idea of everything that Jordan has done is the reason for him being the one that is said to be the greatest. Entertainment, clothing, accessories, etc. while Russell only brought championships. Maybe that is more important to the history of the sport, but Jordan put a face on the game.
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