Michael Jordan has not left the building

[Chiefcrowe]

http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/page/Michael-Jordan/michael-jordan-not-left-building

Great article and retrospective of Jordan and where he is now.

 

[Printer Bandit]

too bad his gambling got his dad killed.

 

[Farang]

damn... hot fiancee

 

[deadlyapp]

fantastic article.

 

[Vic Vega]

I wish I had 1/10th the heart and drive as Michael Jordan.

 

[Vic Vega]

Smoke curls off the cigar. He wears slacks and a plain white dress shirt, monogrammed on the sleeve in white, understated. An ID badge hangs from one of those zip line cords on his belt, with his name on the bottom: Michael Jordan, just in case anyone didn't recognize the owner of a struggling franchise who in another life was the touchstone for a generation. There's a shudder in every child of the '80s and '90s who does the math and realizes that Michael Jordan is turning 50. Where did the years go? Jordan has trouble believing it, difficulty admitting it to himself. But he's in the mood for admissions today, and there's a look on his face, a half-smile, as he considers how far to go.

This paragraph really hits home and makes me recall good and bad memories from those two decades. It's a bittersweet realization that MJ is getting older and so am I.

Being from Nor'IL/Chicagoland and living there in the 80s and 90s, MJ and the Bulls were a big part of my life. It's hard to say why a city loves a man, an athlete, it doesn't make sense to but we do. I always felt like MJ was fighting for us every game. For the city, for the people. We were and are proud of him and his legacy. Those were good times.

 

[Farang]

This paragraph really hits home and makes me recall good and bad memories from those two decades. It's a bittersweet realization that MJ is getting older and so am I.

Being from Nor'IL/Chicagoland and living there in the 80s and 90s, MJ and the Bulls were a big part of my life. It's hard to say why a city loves a man, an athlete, it doesn't make sense to but we do. I always felt like MJ was fighting for us every game. For the city, for the people. We were and are proud of him and his legacy. Those were good times.

I hated Jordan. I remember once they showed him during a timeout bitching at Scottie Pippen for not giving him the ball. Pippen had just nailed a jumper. I hated him for that.

But in more recent years I've come to respect him a lot. Wish I could've enjoyed his run but as a Sonics fan it wasn't possible.

 

[purbeast0]

jordan was and still is the man.

 

[bigrash]

I hated Jordan. I remember once they showed him during a timeout bitching at Scottie Pippen for not giving him the ball. Pippen had just nailed a jumper. I hated him for that.

But in more recent years I've come to respect him a lot. Wish I could've enjoyed his run but as a Sonics fan it wasn't possible.

Funny I used to hate him back then cause I was a Knicks fan. But know that he's probably one of the greatest now.

 

[arrfep]

This paragraph really hits home and makes me recall good and bad memories from those two decades. It's a bittersweet realization that MJ is getting older and so am I.

Being from Nor'IL/Chicagoland and living there in the 80s and 90s, MJ and the Bulls were a big part of my life. It's hard to say why a city loves a man, an athlete, it doesn't make sense to but we do. I always felt like MJ was fighting for us every game. For the city, for the people. We were and are proud of him and his legacy. Those were good times.

Good way to put it. There was something truly magical becoming/being a teen in Chicago during the 3-peat and repeat. Your statement also speaks to one of the reasons that Lebron will, IMO, never have the legacy that Jordan does, no matter what he puts in the record books. Because he doesn't have that intangible spirit that the franchise players of the 80s and 90s had. Jordan, Bird, Magic...all those guys you felt were out there busting their asses to bring something to their cities. LJ will never be that kind of player.

 

[QueBert]

Good way to put it. There was something truly magical becoming/being a teen in Chicago during the 3-peat and repeat. Your statement also speaks to one of the reasons that Lebron will, IMO, never have the legacy that Jordan does, no matter what he puts in the record books. Because he doesn't have that intangible spirit that the franchise players of the 80s and 90s had. Jordan, Bird, Magic...all those guys you felt were out there busting their asses to bring something to their cities. LJ will never be that kind of player.

Bird & Magic absolutely, but Jordan should always be remembered as a selfish, arrogant ball hog. Not taking away from his abilities because obviously he's a damn legend. LJ's out there busting his ass to win rings, and he's probably the most unselfish legend since Magic. Unlike Jordan who had to be the center of attention and the guy who won the game for his team. James is is okay with passing and letting his teammates shine. You almost never see a player of Lebron's level play so unselfishly. As a previous poster touched on, there are numerous times where Jordan was upset that a team mate scored and didn't give him a chance to shine more. That's beyond shitty. And having listened to his HOF induction speech he's seems even more of a dick than he came across while back playing.

 

[Farang]

Good way to put it. There was something truly magical becoming/being a teen in Chicago during the 3-peat and repeat. Your statement also speaks to one of the reasons that Lebron will, IMO, never have the legacy that Jordan does, no matter what he puts in the record books. Because he doesn't have that intangible spirit that the franchise players of the 80s and 90s had. Jordan, Bird, Magic...all those guys you felt were out there busting their asses to bring something to their cities. LJ will never be that kind of player.

Have to disagree with this. There are plenty of journeymen greats (Chamberlain comes to mind). Better be a journeyman that wins championships than be the NBA's Dan Marino

 

[arrfep]

Bird & Magic absolutely, but Jordan should always be remembered as a selfish, arrogant ball hog. Not taking away from his abilities because obviously he's a damn legend. LJ's out there busting his ass to win rings, and he's probably the most unselfish legend since Magic. Unlike Jordan who had to be the center of attention and the guy who won the game for his team. James is is okay with passing and letting his teammates shine. You almost never see a player of Lebron's level play so unselfishly. As a previous poster touched on, there are numerous times where Jordan was upset that a team mate scored and didn't give him a chance to shine more. That's beyond shitty. And having listened to his HOF induction speech he's seems even more of a dick than he came across while back playing.

Fair enough. Like I implied, I view that whole era through rose-colored glasses, so I'm probably biased.

Have to disagree with this. There are plenty of journeymen greats (Chamberlain comes to mind). Better be a journeyman that wins championships than be the NBA's Dan Marino

Oh I don't disagree. I wasn't saying those were the only greats. Far from it. I was referring to Vic Vega's statement: "It's hard to say why a city loves a man, an athlete, it doesn't make sense to but we do. I always felt like MJ was fighting for us every game..." and how I don't think many of today's great players evoke that anymore.

 

[bigdog1218]

Bird & Magic absolutely, but Jordan should always be remembered as a selfish, arrogant ball hog. Not taking away from his abilities because obviously he's a damn legend. LJ's out there busting his ass to win rings, and he's probably the most unselfish legend since Magic. Unlike Jordan who had to be the center of attention and the guy who won the game for his team. James is is okay with passing and letting his teammates shine. You almost never see a player of Lebron's level play so unselfishly. As a previous poster touched on, there are numerous times where Jordan was upset that a team mate scored and didn't give him a chance to shine more. That's beyond shitty. And having listened to his HOF induction speech he's seems even more of a dick than he came across while back playing.

Lebron is busting his ass to win rings? Really? On Wade's team he's busting his ass to win rings? I don't think any superstar in the history of sports took an easier road in their prime to get himself a ring than Lebron. He should of busted his ass in Cleveland instead of folding like a cheap suit in the playoffs. Jordan was a complete ass, but he put his team on his back for 6 championships. Maybe if he was more unselfish he could have failed miserably at the Bulls then joined up with Stockton and Malone for a ring or two.

 

[Yongsta]

Bird & Magic absolutely, but Jordan should always be remembered as a selfish, arrogant ball hog. Not taking away from his abilities because obviously he's a damn legend. LJ's out there busting his ass to win rings, and he's probably the most unselfish legend since Magic. Unlike Jordan who had to be the center of attention and the guy who won the game for his team. James is is okay with passing and letting his teammates shine. You almost never see a player of Lebron's level play so unselfishly. As a previous poster touched on, there are numerous times where Jordan was upset that a team mate scored and didn't give him a chance to shine more. That's beyond shitty. And having listened to his HOF induction speech he's seems even more of a dick than he came across while back playing.

He seems to be very petty & an egomaniac but those traits also helped drive him to become the player he was. LJ is awesome and won the genetic lottery but he doesn't seem to have that Killer Instinct that Jordan had. Late in the game, Jordan wants the ball, with LJ I don't know if he really does.

 

[HendrixFan]

Late in the game, Jordan wants the ball, with LJ I don't know if he really does.

Ego.

Jordan wanted the last shot. Lebron wants the best shot, even if it is the teammate taking it. The difference is ego and nothing else.

 

[TecHNooB]

Ego.

Jordan wanted the last shot. Lebron wants the best shot, even if it is the teammate taking it. The difference is ego and nothing else.

yep. lebron is a really smart player and goes for high percentage over heroics.

 

[swanysto]

yep. lebron is a really smart player and goes for high percentage over heroics.

Probably cause he fails at the last shot every time.

 

[child of wonder]

This thread is thick with Lebron James fans lapping their tongues hungrily at his balls.

Lebron is smarter, that's why he doesn't score in the clutch? Jordan was selfish in crunchtime and wanted to put up big numbers? He doesn't want his teammates to score?

You guys are complete fucking idiots. You're the basketball equivalent of someone claiming U2 is better than the Beatles or Justin Bieber is a better singer than Frank Sinatra.

This is unreal.

 

[Vic Vega]

This thread is thick with Lebron James fans lapping their tongues hungrily at his balls.

Lebron is smarter, that's why he doesn't score in the clutch? Jordan was selfish in crunchtime and wanted to put up big numbers? He doesn't want his teammates to score?

You guys are complete fucking idiots. You're the basketball equivalent of someone claiming U2 is better than the Beatles or Justin Bieber is a better singer than Frank Sinatra.

This is unreal.

It is pretty funny.

 

[HendrixFan]

Read the article. MJ is consumed by LJ according to it. MJ's ability to properly evaluate Lebron in the article seems to explain alot of his evaluative decisions with the Bobcats roster. He sees what he wants to see, not what is there. I probably gained the most insight from the section where Jordan was watching basketball on TV.

The article doesn't celebrate him, it trashes him. The author clearly doesn't realize it, but it is true. Jordan was the elite athlete of his generation, and due to a few fortunate events he was surrounded by Hall of Fame players and the greatest coach in the game. All those events help to mask his weaknesses (something Phil was good at) but they were on full display in his Hall of Fame speech and in this article.

His need to be the man in all facets of his life points to serious inner issues. He has insulated himself from criticism and is a shell of a person.

 

[Vic Vega]

Read the article. MJ is consumed by LJ according to it. MJ's ability to properly evaluate Lebron in the article seems to explain alot of his evaluative decisions with the Bobcats roster. He sees what he wants to see, not what is there. I probably gained the most insight from the section where Jordan was watching basketball on TV.

The article doesn't celebrate him, it trashes him. The author clearly doesn't realize it, but it is true. Jordan was the elite athlete of his generation, and due to a few fortunate events he was surrounded by Hall of Fame players and the greatest coach in the game. All those events help to mask his weaknesses (something Phil was good at) but they were on full display in his Hall of Fame speech and in this article.

His need to be the man in all facets of his life points to serious inner issues. He has insulated himself from criticism and is a shell of a person.

I actually feel sorry for you. :|

 

[HendrixFan]

I actually feel sorry for you. :|

That is because you aren't a sociopath. Nor am I.

Jordan clearly is.

 

[angminas]

I wouldn't trade my life for Michael Jordan's. And it's not even close.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Jordan turning 50 is one of those things that makes me realize I'm getting old too. Ahh.