There will never be another like Him...I don't care about the hype "X" player gets in high school, don't tell about how he floats in the air like Him, don't compare his passion and drive to His Airness... Michael Jeffrey Jordan is one of a kind...sure, Kobe will surpass him in total points, Bill Russell obviously owns more jewelry and LeBron may exceed his endorsement numbers, but no one in any sport then, now or in the future, will make time stop like Him.You remember those days...those Sunday afternoon games on NBC, waking up early to get your chores done so you could watch Him take on Larry, Magic, Isiah, Patrick, Charles, Hakeem, Clyde, Karl and John. Everything stopped for Bulls vs. Knicks, Pacers, Celtics, Lakers, Trailblazers, Pistons, Rockets, Suns and Jazz. There you sat on your couch, not alone though...there was your Dad, Mom, sister, brother, friends...many of these people probably never picked up a basketball in their lives, but they were there with you to watch Him.
He transcended the game and life like no one else...good-looking, well-spoken, candid... people from here to China wore his jerseys, gobbled up his sneakers and filled their bowls with Wheaties. It wasn't that long ago guys, seems like a century ago I realize, when we heard..."A shot on Ehlo, good! The Bulls win it, they win it!" or Marvelous Marv praise his soaring, down the lane layup against The Lake Show..."Ohhh, a spectacular move by Michael Jordan!"
The Basketball Hame of Fame seems a bit small for MJ doesn't it? Seems like we should dedicate a building to Him or something? You almost feel bad for John Stockton, David Robinson, Jerry Sloan and C. Vivian Stringer for having to share a stage with Him later today.
His list of accomplishments and accolades (6 championships, two gold medals, his 69 point performance) are too lengthy to mention, his highlights (the Flu Game, the trifectas against Portland, the Duel with Dominick) too numerous to be retold, but one stat has always expressed to me how unbelievable Michael Jordan was.
Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Dominick Wilkins Reggie Miller, Gary Payton...NBA legends, some of the greatest to ever step on the hardwood...but all of whom never won an NBA Title because of one man...Number 23, Michael Jordan! (And remember, Hakeem the Dream, The Admiral and The Diesel only won titles when Jordan wasn't in the league!...I don't count the years in Washington).
Name for me another professional athlete who prevented a similar collection of talent from reaching their sport's ultimate prize...you can rake your brains all you want folks, but you can't and you won't.
There will never be another like Mike.
Close the door to your office, pull down the shades, turn up your speakers and recall His Greatness...
Good post Bren, I just have one little quam...Why hate on Favre so much when Michael retired twice? Michael had ceremonies too!
ReplyDeleteA fair point young Matthew, but I think we'd both agree that MJ never held his team by the balls while he contemplated year in and year out whether he should return to the game or not. In addition, Michael's decision to join the Wizards wasn't motivated by revenge like Mr. Favre's desire to stick it to The Pack.
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