Posts Tagged ‘Sports Commentary’

Impressing MJ

Michael Jordan’s words carries a lot within the basketball community. Considered the greatest to ever handle the rock by many, MJ still holds numerous records. So it’s only natural that when anything monumental happens in the NBA, Jordan’s opinion is highly sought. Hence, it was only matter of time before his thoughts on the “Miami Thrice” of Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh would appear. When asked about the teaming of the three superstars, this is what MJ had to say:

“There’s no way, with hindsight, I would’ve ever called up Larry, called up Magic and said, ‘Hey, look, let’s get together and play on one team. But that’s … things are different. I can’t say that’s a bad thing. It’s an opportunity these kids have today. In all honesty, I was trying to beat those guys.”

Jordan is known as an assassin when it comes to competition, so his comments should come as no surprise. In fact, his comments are an example of the backlash that LeBron has been receiving from basketball purists that didn’t care one way or the other if James left Cleveland. It’s seeing him join Wade in Miami that has left them sour. Having two of the top three players on one team has somewhat taken some of the competitive edge out of the game. It’s quite fair to say that Wade and James along with Kobe Bryant can be seen as the Bird, Magic, and Jordan of today’s game. Could you honestly imagine how boring the game would have been watching any of those three teaming up and running through the league? All of the classic Lakers/Celtics games erased. The seven years of watching Jordan mature and come into his own, non-existent. Apart of those great players’ legacies is that they had to go through one another to win. With James joining Wade, who has already won a ring, his road has become a lot easier. From a legacy standpoint, James would have been better off joining the Chicago Bulls where he would have had a better supporting cast than he ever had in Cleveland. His pairing with Wade puts him in the supporting role to many who argue he needs Wade to win a ring.

Jordan’s comments ultimately calls out James competitive edge. When “the decision” of James leaving Cleveland was announced, many spoke out on his competitiveness. One Orlando Magic official even questioned his desire, saying he thought James had more fight in him. However, I don’t feel that was Jordan’s only purpose behind his statement. Since James entered the league he has shown nothing but admiration and respect for Jordan. Jordan himself doesn’t seem as taken with the young star. In many ways it feels as if Jordan is making him work thrice as hard for any type of respect due to the reputation that preceded James. While his new running mate Wade shares a business relationship with Jordan, he was chosen to spearhead the Jordan brand for the next generation. Wade also has a budding relationship with the legend; he was quoted in the June issue of VIBE magazine as saying:

“Everyone that’s part of the label, he takes time to build a personal relationship with. I can talk to him about anything. I hit him up and within minutes he’s calling me back.”

Jordan doesn’t seem impressed with the talents of James as many other greats have been. At a recent camp Jordan was caught on tape declaring Kobe Bryant the better of the two players. When it comes down to it, Jordan’s words are the thoughts that millions share, particularly in Cleveland. So here’s what’s really good? The situation down in Miami is both intriguing and disappointing. The question of the trio winning is a no brainer. The real question is how many? However, the intrigue is evenly matched with disappointment. The thought that the league could possibly become monopolized by a team that holds two of its top three players, does remove a bit of excitement from the game. In the end, can you really fault James for leaving to chase a ring? It seems that even the great one forgets that he did not win six all by himself. While he may not have had a Wade, somehow I don’t think anyone would argue against the importance of his running mate Scottie Pippen.

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