Posted on 09/12/2009 10:01:35 AM PDT by Mr. Mojo
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Yes, Michael Jordan was still fighting it on Friday night, and maybe he always will. Mostly, he was crying over the passing of that old Jordan, and it wouldn’t be long until he climbed out of his suit and back into his uniform and shorts, back into an adolescent act that’s turned so tedious.
This wasn’t a Hall of Fame induction speech, but a bully tripping nerds with lunch trays in the school cafeteria. He had a responsibility to his standing in history, to players past and present, and he let everyone down. This was a night to leave behind the petty grievances and past slights – real and imagined. This was a night to be gracious, to be generous with praise and credit.
“M.J. was introduced as the greatest player ever and he’s still standing there trying to settle scores,” one Hall of Famer said privately later.
Jordan wandered through an unfocused and uninspired speech at Symphony Hall, disparaging people who had little to do with his career, like Jeff Van Gundy and Bryon Russell. He ignored people who had so much to do with it, like his personal trainer, Tim Grover. This had been a moving and inspirational night for the NBA – one of its best ceremonies ever – and five minutes into Jordan’s speech it began to spiral into something else. Something unworthy of Jordan’s stature, something beneath him.
Jordan spent more time pointlessly admonishing Van Gundy and Russell for crossing him with taunts a dozen years ago than he did singling out his three children. When he finally acknowledged his family, Jordan blurted, in part, to them, “I wouldn’t want to be you guys.”
(Excerpt) Read more at sports.yahoo.com ...
Sounds like what Brett Favre’s induction is going to look like.
I suggested to the Packers that Brett’s jersey retirement be scheduled for thwe first weekend game after his 65th birthday.
On the other hand, Dave Robinson, the Admiral, from the San Antonio Spurs, was ever the gentleman. Perhaps the result of that Naval Academy training? Class does tell - over and over and over.
I stopped watching the NBA about the time MJ came on the scene. I couldn’t stand that they basically ignored the rules to allow one player to be the star. MJ never traveled, never committed and offensive or defensive foul. When an official did call him on a foul he whined like a little child. It was a joke. To this day I could care less about the NBA.
I give this to Jordan:
Back in the day when he was certified gold on the product endorsement circuit, he was asked to endorse black Senate candidate Harvey Gantt in his home state of NC against the great Jesse Helms.
Jordan refused. When asked about it, he said:
“Republicans buy shoes, too.”
Agree 100%. And once Larry Bird and Magic were gone, I quit watching for good.
Eh, Who the hell cares? Some people are just born with different personalities.
Jordan has a competitive fire unlike anybody I have ever witness. (Tiger Woods is giving him a run for the money though)
This is just who he is. He’s used a chip on his shoulder from Jerry Krause and many others to motivate himself to become the greatest player of all time. He still wants to play and it kills him that he physically can’t do it anymore.
He is who he is and there are FAR WORSE characters in sports to demonize than him. Sorry to those offended that he doesn’t have Laura Bush’s personality.
I know David and am proud of how he has turned things around.
Compare and contrast his behavior with that of Derek Jeter.
Michael is not alone in this. Basketball was his life. It gave him his drive and sense of purpose. Now in retirement, he can’t find anything to direct his energies towards and is wandering about in a frustrated directionless condition.
Man, Mr. Jordan sounds very empty and bitter. Sounds like he is dying from the inside out, has all the toys and respect but none of the joy and maturity. He may have been the greatest basketball player ever but he sure sounded like a punk.
I think he has a “God sized hole” in his soul.
I agree. I was a huge sports fan as a kid. Today, however, I think pro sports, and most college sports, are entertainment by retards for retards. And yes, that includes the drive-around-in-a-circle-real-fast “sport” of auto racing.
Challenges do not develop character. They reveal it.
Sounds like a classic tale of a guy who can’t face the fact that the “glory days” are over.
Unfortunately for Rose, he was white...............
Challenges do not develop character. They reveal it.
***I’ve never heard that expression before. Is it yours?
I remember the finals against Seattle... I’ve never seen a more blatant technical foul in my life. Jordan was screaming, acting like a baby, pumping his fists, obviously cursing an official...and nothing. It would have been the technical foul that would have thrown him out of the game. No way was an official calling that.
The double standards he got were insane.
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