I WANNA BE LIKE MIKKKEEEEEE! Sound so soulful don't you agree? Haha. Today is MJ's 50th birthday. Yes, Michael Jeffrey Jordan is 50 years old. I can't be the only one having a hard time fathoming this. It could not have been that long. To many people, mostly our older siblings (if you are close to my age) or older relatives, it was not long ago that watching Jordan suit up in that black and red laced uniform with that iconic 23 stitched in his jersey was a regular. I may only be 18 years old but I have had years where I was conscious enough to witness him in his glory days bring success to the Windy City. I remember times where my family, all eight of us, (my little sister was not born yet) would sit crowded in a room watching Bulls games with tons of excitement and anticipation of what spectacular play Michael was going to do. Don't even mention playoff time. The TV didn't show another channel besides NBC, hearing Marv Albert's legendary voice call games, almost always in dramatic fashion. And honestly, there was no better way.
I fondly remember the 97' and 98' NBA Finals. I was probably in the exact same position both times, directly in front of the TV almost blocking everyone else's view (partially the reason I have to wear glasses to my grave). In 97, MJ played Game 5 with the flu and it showed as he could barely run and had to be helped to the sidelines and locker room on many occasions. Little do people know that Jordan was bed ridden until 5:50p.m. THE GAME STARTED AT 6PM! So the man came from spilling his guts on the floor to scoring 38 points and cold-bloodily hitting the game clinching 3. HOL' THE FUCK UP! Name another person ho would have even thought about picking up a basketball while inflicted with the flu. I remember when I had the flu in late December all I could think about was who was gonna write my obituary and what picture they were gonna choose as I laid in my bed in nothing but my underwear and one white sock. I was praying nobody will ever see my 8th grade graduation picture. I looked like I was trying to look at two objects at the same time in different directions. But back to Jordan, the guts, the heart, the will it took to step on that hardwood and put on a performance like that in which it was nicknamed the infamous "Flu Game" (the black and red colorway of the Air Jordan 12's were given the same nickname that day). In 98', Game 6 produced arguably the greatest moment of his career. 4th Quarter, under 20 seconds, Michael steals the ball from Karl Malone, dribbles done the court, sizes up Byron Russell, then separates himself from him and nails the game-winning shot all while down 1 (Jordan previously hit another game-winning shot over Byron Russell in the 97' Finals in Game 6 *Coincidence?*). That's venomous. I watched Michael do all of this and I have to say each time my family and I and possibly everyone else around Chicago went berserk. We were no longer people, but crazed followers of an almighty, immortal soul. There was tons of celebrating throughout those streets, mostly shouting and violence of every form. But it was awesome to experience nonetheless.
I'm not gonna talk about all of Jordan's stats and accomplishments because you can Google that shit and that's a lot of writing I don't want to do. If you don't feel like Googling, I feel you and I'll spread this link of all types of good stuff about Mike. http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/1035/michael-jordan However, I want to focus on Michael's impact on the world in a more social and psychological view. We are possibly talking about a figure who is known throughout every reach of the earth from the highly populated countries to remote islands in the Pacific. Michael Jordan is the reason African-Americans for over 20+ years have been mistaken in foreign countries as him. It has happened to a homie of mine Kendall Mason a few times during his numerous stays outside of the US in foreign countries. Note that not only does he not hoop, he's about 5'5, light-skinned and resembles Pharrell Williams more than anyone else. Haha. I'm off that, he's cool people. But you get an example of his far-reaching icon status.
In 1985, Nike caught on to the stardom of MJ and gave him not only a shoe deal, but his own signature shoe. That may have been the 2nd smartest move the company made (refer to my very 1st blog post). Since then, Nike has become a multi-billion dollar organization, largely thanks to Jordan (Nike and it's subsidiary control about 77% of the shoe/apparel market). Unless there is a team sponsored by Adidas(weak) or Under Armour(weaker), expect to spot someone on a court sporting a pair of Air Jordans. They are universal. All around, people are crowded outside Footlockers and NikeTown's or anxiously by their computer credit-card in hand ready to purchase a pair of his illustrious sneaks. Also, currently at .The thirst! I know. But those are the lengths that people will take to become a little closer to the person they admire. Everyone doesn't have the opportunity to hit game-winning shots or score 40 on a nightly basis or be a legend. So buying a pair of his sneakers and possibly his jersey is one of the more convenient ways us ordinary people can be apart of his legacy.
What MJ did for athletes and sports in general is evident. He set a standard for greatness. His skill, his size, his tenacity and success are all things we easily recognize. But what we fail to look at is his will to not be complacent or second, his lack of fear, and his never-ending preparation to be ahead of everyone else. It didn't matter who Michael went up against, he played an average guy the same as if he were in a pickup game against Jesus. He never let up, never faltered. In practice, he ran faster and harder than even the fleetest footed of teammates, out hustled you on a daily basis, made you look foolish and even sometimes emasculated his teammates. MJ has been noted to have been abusive, verbally and physically, to his teammates. As vicious as that sounds, it worked and I'm sure none of those guys would give up their rings because he was a meanie. Michael demanded the best you had, because he gave the best he had all the time. That's going towards teammates and opponents. Jordan is possibly the most mentally tough athlete ever. He was always talking trash and getting in the head of the opposing player trying to guard him. Often he embarrassed them. Seldom did Michael get a taste of his own medicine. But the preparation was key. He was always the first person in the gym and for hours at a time, even when he had games or practice. Shooting hundreds or free throws, thousands of shots. Shooting and dribbling until his arms became 10 lb weights. Watching a lifetime amount of footage, studying you and your every move and tendencies and exposing it and taking it away from you when he met you on that glossy hardwood. Not accepting that he could not do a particular thing or go over his limits, extending them more likely.
Allen Iverson Crosses Michael Jordan
Michael's Game-Winning Shots and Misses
MICHAEL JORDAN HAS FAILED MANY TIMES. That, if anything else, helps us realize that he is human after all. The story is well known, the man was cut from the team sophomore year. How many NBA players have ever not been on their high school basketball team without it being an uncontrollable, external issue? I read an article made about the coach who cut him and the coach simply said "I didn't think he was ready." We know the outcome of that mishap. Out of 24,537 FG attempts, MJ made 12,192 of them. That's about 50% which is absolutely unheard of, especially for a shooting guard of his caliber. Looking at it in a different light, that means that for ever shot Mike made, he missed one. A large part of those misses were probably insignificant ones that ballplayers often within games but believe that a lot were also shots in the clutch. People often believe that anytime Michael had a ball in his hands or went on an endeavor he succeeded. Not so much. He probably succeeded most of the time but he's no King Midas. Michael has missed game-winning shots, turned the ball over during crucial possessions and made bad business decisions. His term as Wizards GM and his current reign as head honcho of the Charlotte Bobcats are enough to make people wonder if MJ belongs anywhere besides on a court (bad draft picks, awful money mismanagement, lackluster coaching staffs and negligent over-watch of teams). But to me, that's what makes him still that much better than everyone else. By failing, you are given an opportunity to learn, which is the biggest positive in existence. If you learn and shake off frustration after failing, honestly, have you failed? No. Better believe that Michael Jordan is taking notes on his current misfortunes at the moment so that his future spills better fortunes. When Michael missed shots, he let his short-term memory, killer mentality take shape and kept going. Eventually, he knew he was going to destroy everything in sight.
Today after waking up, I remembered that today was his birthday and did almost a eulogy to him on Twitter and soon was to do Facebook status dedicated to him. Then I was suspected of sucking his tip or being over the top. For starts, I can do what the fuck I want as long as it doesn't hinder the progression of you as an individual. Who is anyone to tell me the limits of admiration I can have for anyone? We have to appreciate the people we love and respect now because there will be a time when they have to leave us and it will seem too late. It may not seem original but I have profound respect for Michael Jordan and I admire him a ton. What he did is held in high regard to me. I apply a lot of his quotes and teachings into my current mindset and it has made me into the clear conscious, upbeat, confident, charismatic guy I am today. I wouldn't be the exact person I was today had he not existed, and I love the way I am. Michael Jordan has inspired more African-American males probably than their actual father. Before I get blasted, think about how many black males know Michael Jordan and how many of us get the pleasure (or unfortunate) to meet or know our dads. I rest that note.
Dear MJ,
My name is Josh Wilks (nickname Deuce Deuce, go ahead and call me it you an OG thug you got permission) and I just want to wish you a Happy Birthday. Enjoy those cigars and sexy strippers in H-Town tonight. You will be forever loved and respected. Your soul and legacy will live forever.
Sincerely,
A boy from Chicago
http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/page/Michael-Jordan/michael-jordan-not-left-building A good article to read on him.
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