What Jordan Told Bob Costas On The Retirement Of Michael Jordan
What Jordan Told Bob Costas On The Retirement Of Michael Jordan. Here are a few non-mainstream observations:
Jordan is the best basketball player of all time, who has brought about a turnaround in the way people think about him. Jordan may be the greatest athlete ever, but does he compare to the other all-time greats? No, his achievement isn’t really that much better then Oscar and West’s achievements. Jordan’s appeal on TV, along with marketing from marketers and Jordan performing on commercials, have made him into one of the most famous players of his era.
Sometimes timing can make the difference between winning and losing. Jordan’s team was better than those of his competitors in his own era, but not as great as those of Bird and Magic. Without a real competitor at their level, when at their best, Jordan and his team won championships without much competition.
Despite Jordan’s departure, the NBA has remained popular. 16 of the last 19 finals have showcased LeBron James, Stephen Curry or Kevin Durant. However, with Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan in the league since 1980, fans always look forward to these three stars dominating the game.
While David Stern and the marketing of the NBA was interesting, the real accomplishment by the three stars of the NBA was winning. That’s why those indelible images of great players are created- winning team championships. While individual accomplishments are amazing and create an increased fame, it’s what teams that win that creates indelible success.
The sport will always make great players, but the enduring principle of basketball might be old-school. Those SportsCenter-world shattering flashy plays wont change the media because what makes it great isn’t about ’90s sizzle or today’s views on athleticism, it is about enduring greatness and authenticity.
Jordan exemplified true, raw authenticity paired with personal likability. Without a moment of hesitation, the world would pull for him, and he was able to livestream on YouTube for four straight hours during his 42-point performance in Game 5 of the NBA Finals (Gazette). With millions watching around the globe, he astounded us all with an unprecedented performance that nobody could resist. His popularity and talent showed no signs of slowing. He’s likely the most famous person in the world.
And unlike many other celebrities that are created just for the sake of promotion and publicity, Jordan was created for entertainment but also for a higher purpose. As Sandy Grady wrote on USA Today, “Jordan’s art was pure.”
Jordan was the image that hid the problems in the NBA, and helped it appear to be a glamorous and successful league. However, the truth is that most of the recent basketball games have been slower-paced affairs where team play has gone by the wayside, incorporating less motion and skillful execution than in past years. The NBA’s Showtime of the 1980s is rarely visible as an average game in 1985 was more entertaining than one played during the 1990s.
At the same time, players who share no common sense have been further exposed after Michael Jordan’s image as a classy player singlehandedly dominated our lives.
It’s not enough to just hope that the next Jordan will come and start playing, because he won’t be coming. It’s impossible for anyone to start playing like Jordan did, so we’ll just have to wait.
The past few months have served as a rude awakening for NBA players and those watching the current gaming spectacle, now is the perfect time for the league to return to partnership and perspective.
After the NBA owners and players ratified a new collective bargaining agreement, common sense prevailed. Now that the league is in a much more stable atmosphere, it can focus on strengthening its team’s strengths – rivalries, players and what should be enduring aspects of the game itself. In many years to come, Michael Jordan will never be seen again but with all of these positives, the NBA could still be great.
By the time he was finished with his career, Michael Jordan had won ten scoring titles, five MVPs and six championships.