Do we really want to be like Mike?
Roar Guru By mushi, 20 Sep 2009 mushi is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- Basketball, Chicago Bulls, hall of fame, Michael Jordan, NBA
In a story that received little coverage in Australia, the formality of inducting Michael Jordan into the NBA Hall of Fame occurred last Friday.
Whilst the Magic-Bird era is generally considered to be the one that put basketball back on the US sporting agenda, the Jordan era made it global.
Throughout his career Jordan always managed to present himself with a swagger and charming smugness.
He knew that he was the greatest at what he did and was all too aware that we knew it, so he sparred us the humbling experience of repeatedly telling us, unlike the more polarising Ali.
MJ was forever unapologetic about his hyper competitive nature. He presented his drive to win in a manner that general public not only appreciated but outwardly desired and other athletes emulated.
His tales of forcing friends to bet tens of thousands of dollars against him on bunker shots didn’t raise eyebrows regarding the evils of gambling but instead reinforced what the public loved – Michael Jordan’s existence was based solely on winning.
When he mercilessly went on the attack against a young rookie in practice, harping on his every insecurity from his family background to the obvious gap in talent, it was regarded as the standard a champion should demand from his team mates.
After he took the podium on Friday in his induction, that veneer of charm was stripped away for all but the most ardent fans. Not even his trademark disarming smile could distract us from this reminder that a single-minded focus on anything in life comes at a cost.
Hall of Fame speeches are typically times of joyful reflection on the moments that defined a career and humble appreciation for those that helped along the way. Both David Robinson and John Stockton gave thoughtful and humorous renditions respectively.
Jordan did provide passing regards but in general his address was more a reflection on a laundry list of slights, some real, the majority perceived and a few plain fictitious. This was a glimpse into what drives the greatest player of all time.
At the moment of being officially recognised for having had an unparalleled career, he chooses not to dwell on the accolades and the victories but on moments of bitterness, which to an ordinary person would have seemed immaterial, but to him drove him on.
There was no concept of perspective, every aspect of his life had a score board hanging over it and he would do everything in his power to make sure he came out the winner.
This is not to say he came across as egotistical, although that was a side effect, it was more that the man was profoundly bitter.
The truth is this is probably what it takes to be not just great, but transcendent in any field. To beat off other talented driven individuals you need a single-minded focus that finds reasons to continue to compete. Jordan had more than the desire of his competitors, he had outright hatred of everything that may cost him victory in anything.
If victory is your only concern there can be little room for social conventions, for caring about those that aren’t immediately going to contribute and for those that helped you yesterday rather tomorrow.
When the character Gordon Gekko said, “It’s not a question of enough, pal. It’s a zero sum game, somebody wins, somebody loses,” it was intended to alienate him as cold-hearted and obsessed. When Michael Jordan lived that quote he was cheered and idolised.
Though at the end of it I am glad he was honest and candid. It allowed us all to see the wizard behind the curtain so to speak and realise that, just like Bud Fox had to with Gekko, sometimes the price for constant victory is a steep one.
Days later I no longer feel let down or angered by Jordan’s speech, rather my feelings would best be described as pity.
Here is someone who has achieved more than I could ever hope for and is better at his chosen field than I could ever conceivably be and yet all the journey has done is seemingly make him resentful and bitter towards those he met along the way.
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- Basketball, Chicago Bulls, hall of fame, Michael Jordan, NBA
September 20th 2009 @ 11:10am
Realist said | September 20th 2009 @ 11:10am | Report comment
I only remember his baseball career…
Nice article
September 20th 2009 @ 3:20pm
megatron said | September 20th 2009 @ 3:20pm | Report comment
Good article. I loved Jordan as a kid but I def see the dark side of his personality and the fire that drove him to compete at such an intense level
September 20th 2009 @ 6:01pm
BigAl said | September 20th 2009 @ 6:01pm | Report comment
He was once voted the most admired sports person by Australian youth . . . whatever that means or meant !
Anyway talk about roosters one day, feather dusters the next…
September 20th 2009 @ 9:39pm
mahony said | September 20th 2009 @ 9:39pm | Report comment
Nice article – if only I could feel something for basketball. Excellent writing mushi..
September 21st 2009 @ 2:51am
Wallyburger said | September 21st 2009 @ 2:51am | Report comment
A bit harsh… He is the greatest and there will never be another like him. I haven’t heard the speech yet but it will be the first thing I do tommorrow. I will save the rest of my comment till then
September 21st 2009 @ 5:24pm
Mushi said | September 21st 2009 @ 5:24pm | Report comment
I’m not taking anything away from his legacy as a player.
I find the comparison of other players to Jordan laughable, in an era where you were allowed to hand check a perimeter player should not have been able to dominate the way he did.
Most probably the best athlete I’ve seen play any sport.
September 21st 2009 @ 5:51pm
Mick of Newie said | September 21st 2009 @ 5:51pm | Report comment
Good article. But my question is, why would we expect our greatest athletes to be beyond repraoch in other aspects of their lives?
Perhaps humility is only ever a learnt trait. Its a bit hard to learn if you haven’t ever been humbled.
September 22nd 2009 @ 11:49am
ohtani's jacket said | September 22nd 2009 @ 11:49am | Report comment
I have never liked Jordan, but I watched his speech on youtube and thought it was nothing. This is who Michael Jordan is. It’s who he always was. The speech itself was nowhere near as bad as people made out. Uncomfortable at times, but aside from the fact that he can’t let go, it didn’t strike me as particularly bitter. He took some pot shots at some old enemies, and I suppose that showed a lack of class, but he was always a wanker.
September 25th 2009 @ 3:02pm
mushi said | September 25th 2009 @ 3:02pm | Report comment
Everything has context Ohanti, if it was a fireside interview. Then yes he’s a wanker and that’s about it. I especially found the family remarks a bit off colour
October 3rd 2009 @ 10:36am
matho said | October 3rd 2009 @ 10:36am | Report comment
First up i’m a big Jordan fan – not only because of what he achieved on the court but how he handled himself and inspired others. I’m not sure how you can see his comments as anything other than typical Jordan. Self-assured and just giving people an insight into what drove him – he wanted to be better than the rest and would stop at nothing to achieve it. An inspirational message for anyone in whatever field you are in.
If more sport stars could conduct themselves like Mike then the world would be a better place. I think you’ve got the wrong end of the stick with this article, it was Michael just giving us a glimpse into what drove him and the people who helped do this. I’ve watched it three times to try to get some glimpse of what you’re talking about. But I still don’t get it – there was nothing bitter in it. I would recommend you see the footage of his career and then take a look at his speech again as I personally thought there was nothing offensive in it but reinforces him as the most inspirational athlete in the world.