I thought I would devote this blog to the greatest to ever play the greatest game in the world.
Michael Jeffery Jordan was inducted into the basketball Hall of Fame the other day. I thought not much of it at the time, but in hindsight it was a pretty awesome day (achievement). I grew up just outside of Chicago and was part of the ruckus that erupted for hundreds of miles around the city every time the Bulls won an NBA title in the '90s. He did so many things that defy logic and gravity. It was such a seemingly "perfect" career-- although something magical is bound to happen when a bunch of hidden random luck things go correctly-- that is really warrants some time to look back on it. If you have a chance to watch old Jordan games: the flu game, the Trailblazers game, the entire Suns series, the Cavs shot, the one where him and Pippen both had 40, etc. you should do it.
I thought his Hall induction speech was perfect. It was just the right amount of emotion and swagger to make it real and entertaining at the same time. A lot of people were critical of the speech and said he came off as arrogant and belittling of his opponents. I know a little bit about belittling opponents, so I thought I would comment on it: He's the fucking Greatest of All-Time. He plays by a different set of rules.
Sam Smith wrote a book called The Jordan Rules back in the day. It chronicled a bunch of stuff; namely, I suppose, Jordan's volatile relationships with teammates and management. Jordan was a head case, no doubt-- someone who needed the adrenaline rush of competition. Those aren't excuses, those are just who he is. I am like that. Not to the extent he was, clearly, and not on the stage he was either. But I am a complete nutjob when it comes to being the best NLHE player that there is. I berate my opponents mid match (it has toned down severely in chat as I've matured because I am now more keenly aware of its effects) and laugh at them while I'm playing them. If my opponent(s) has my respect, I guarantee you he's earned it.
In his speech, Jordan makes a few quips about people in the past who he competed against (and beat). A lot of people called it classless. To the victor go the spoils, I always say. If you are someone complaining about Jordan's lack of respect for the people that he tortured all these years, you are probably not used to being a winner. I expect to win, I am not a loser. Darwinism is the real deal.
I come off as an ass a lot. The people who know me best realize that its mostly a facade. Mostly, is the operative word there. I'm not going to sit around and pretend I know what is going through Jordan's head.
i thought his speech was terrible. It was just a list of things/people that were slightly worse than he was at any point in basketball career that made him improve. super repetitive.
I lol'd. As someone that doesnt give a shit about sports at all the whole deal is preposterous. I think being humble and shit is just way more impressive.
Of course, it is fun to brag once in a while.
Jordan is the man, i'm waiting for him to come back at 50 and still put up 20ppg I got this video and it's pretty sick, has most the games u mentioned on it.
That speech was beautiful. Straight from the heart and it showed why he was the best. It's pretty sick when one of the best athleths have that type of competitiveness.
To be honest, I got a little teary eye right in the beginning because I share a similar passion to basketball. Always loved Jordan, love him even more now after that speech.
I got this video and it's pretty sick, has most the games u mentioned on it.