Just because Michael Jordan is viewed as the Greatest of All Time doesn’t mean he deserves the respect of everyone — certainly not mine
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Michael Jordan may be the greatest in many eyes, “The GOAT, Money, ICON” or whatever other name he is called these days, but I never saw him as much more than a product of great marketing. Could he play the game? Yes, he was a bad dude on the court and accomplished many wonderful things but the majority of those plays were being done by half of the league back then, he was just the one they decided to immortalize in commercials.
Have you ever seen Clyde “The Glide” Drexler play? If you have, then you would know of the great plays he made throughout his career as well, but rarely do you see him in any NBA spots for advertising. Jordan shoes were being sold to the public for $100+ and for the kids that couldn’t afford them they were out robbing the kids that could. At some point make a statement to the public to stop the nonsense, drop the prices of your shoes to make them affordable, the same way that Stephon Marbury and Chris Webber did.
Through all the ball-hogging, push-offs and crying when someone dared to touch him, I still admired his game until the NBA decided it was time to win the gold medal, that’s when my hate for Jordan really became apparent.
He was the face of the NBA but it wasn’t going to be a “Dream Team” without him and he used that power to his advantage. Before the team ever assembled there was a power struggle going on between the Chicago Bulls and the Detroit Pistons, mainly between Jordan and Isiah Thomas. The Pistons treated the Bulls with as much respect that an alcoholic step-father treats his step-children.
The Pistons weren’t in awe of Jordan and they let it be known, as he was continuously knocked to the floor on many occasions during their highly contested meaningful games. Jordan’s hate for Detroit was evident on the court, but behind closed doors he was plotting. When the call came to construct the Dream Team he saw his chance to put his power to use. He wasn’t going to play if a certain player was on the team.
The Landry Hat
At the time, Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas and John Stockton were the best PG’s in the NBA. Even Jordan, with his childish ways, knew that, but because of the disrespect he felt the Pistons gave him over the years and with them walking off the court when they finally beat the “Bad Boys,” Jordan was going to make sure Thomas would never play for the gold.
If Thomas played on the team, Jordan would not and the league was too busy making money off his brand that they could not afford to let that happen, so what did they do? The same thing they always done, they kissed his butt, gave him another pacifier and let him have his way.
So out was Thomas, one the greatest the NBA has ever seen, because Jordan’s feelings were hurt. But in came Chuck Daly to head the Dream Team, one of the greatest coaches in history and also the coach of said Pistons and Thomas. That’s how you know this was all personal between Jordan and Thomas.
Why play for the coach and not with the player?
Like I said, I respect what he accomplished on the court, but what he did to Thomas always rubbed me the wrong way. Imagine if LeBron did the same to Kevin Durant or Kobe Bryant — he would get crucified, but since it was Jordan it’s like it gets swept under the rug. He took his position of power within the NBA and took away a once in a lifetime chance for one of the games greats. I have mixed feelings about Daly as well.
Thomas was your player and you agreed to go on without him. Tell Jordan to suck it up and be a man about the situation.
What about his Hall Of Fame speech? To some it was funny and entertaining but the reality of it was he took another opportunity and the spotlight of many others to stand on his mighty soapbox and show his true colors.
Wow, talk about a guy with a serious hero complex. He was still taking shots at guys for no reason. Still taking shots at Magic Johnson and George Gervin for freezing him out in the 1985 NBA All Star game, he flew the player he was passed over for in high school simply to rub it in his face.
How can we forget the classic line the “organization didn’t play with the flu in Utah” — oh wow, some balls on this guy.
There is a reason why Charles Barkley and Jordan have remained so close throughout the years while he and Pippen have not. Pippen was the flunky, while Chuck would easily tell Jordan about himself. A person like Jordan needs that one to put him in his place (Derek Fisher and Bryant) and he respects that about Barkley. When everyone is kissing your backside you need someone to slap you in the face every once in a while.
Respect is earned and as fast as you get it, it can be taken away. To many, Michael Jordan is untouchable, they can’t see why someone could not like they guy. I guess it’s the same way that LeBron James has his haters or Kobe has his. You like who you like, simple as that.
I just didn’t — or don’t — respect Michael Jordan.
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