Always Imitated but Never Duplicated: Air Jordan

 

One of the most anticipated stories that I’ve ever written is here now people. Michael Jordan isn’t just the greatest basketball player ever, but I’m going out on the limb by saying he is the greatest athlete of all-time. I know that’s big talk coming from me, but this man fits that description. That’s just how I feel and many of you believe that as well. When many of us were growing up and playing sports, we all wanted to be like “Mike’’. Through his confidence and competitiveness many looked up to him as a savior. For many children in urban areas around the country; Jordan showed a way out of their situation and rise up.

Jordan was born in Brooklyn and we know people from NYC have this swagger about themselves that never leave them. Even if they weren’t raised here. He moved to North Carolina as a toddler and had strong family value between his mother and father. Everything Jordan did since he was young he was competitive about it. He never wanted to lose at anything and can you blame him? Young Michael Jordan wasn’t tall enough to make the varsity team in his sophomore year but that only made him more hungry to be great. That was the real start of the burning fire inside of him. Once he got his chance, he never looked back.

Jordan became one of the greatest college basketball players that has ever touch the hardwood. North Carolina Tar Heels were very lucky to have a player of his caliber. Till this day people are still talking about Jordan not being drafted number 1 overall in the 1984 draft. He was selected number 3 by the Bulls. This just put Jordan in his usual mind set of “me against the world” attitude. Jordan didn’t disappoint once going pro. He became the rookie of the year and had a strong buzz out there that he will be the next superstar of the league. Their was nothing that Jordan couldn’t do on the basketball court. The only knock on him through his early years was that he was too selfish by taking all the shots and his butting heads with teammates.

So for years Jordan couldn’t get over the hump and win a title. Let’s not forget who was in the league at the time when Jordan was coming up. You had two of the most recognizable superstars that sports have ever seen; Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. Jordan seemed not to get over the hump to beat those guys. They had his number for many years and also the bad boy Pistons. Once Jordan got the help he needed by the addition of Scottie Pippen and the role players, he seemed to understand what it meant to play team ball. Every night Jordan gave it his all and scored point after point so that he made sure his team was victorious. When I was young watching Jordan on TV, I wondered why he didn’t pass the ball. It was all about the trusting in his teammates. Life lessons learned by Jordan made him change his ways; and it worked like a charm.

Jordan goes on to win in his career 6 NBA titles and many other accolades. He was the athlete that if it wasn’t for him, these players wouldn’t get the kind of contracts they are getting now. Can we not forget the endorsement deals Jordan attained. There was Nike, Gatorade, Wheates, McDonald’s and his Jordan brand just to name a few. Jordan was the face of sports in the 80’s and 90’s. When Jordan retired for the first time many thought basketball was dead because he changed the game of the sport. It wouldn’t be the same sport as it once was. Many thought Jordan could float to even flying in the air. The things he was doing seemed unhuman. I was one who was thinking that myself.

Now let’s get down to the real business here. There are many players that came after him and experts and even fans wanted to compare them to Jordan. I would say just like many of you is that there is and will only be one Michael Jordan. Don’t forget that people! There might come great players like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, but they would not and I repeat would not be Jordan. I’m glad that is put to rest now. Once Jordan retired everyone wanted the next Jordan to come to life and duplicate him. As I said before you can imitate him but you can never duplicate him.

As we know Jordan is the owner of the lowly Charlotte Bobcats and we know he has been taking a lot of heat since moving into the executive positions. Jordan has been called a horrible executive to even incompetent. I don’t know what’s going on behind closed doors, but what I can say is that he has made some very bad decisions since leaving the game. For one the drafting of the biggest bust in the NBA, former number 1 draft pick Kwame Brown. Sorry to say, but his name is the definition of a true SCRUB! I said it and I can back up those words with that, but that’s for another article. Jordan just needs to focus on the end goal and put the right pieces in place to make his team succeed and he can change the perception about himself. In my finals words I just want to say Jordan’s name will live forever! Tell me your greatest Jordan moments and how he had an affect on your life?