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I missed his speech
Was it really that bad?
Michael Jordan is overrated. The only thing he ever did in HD was underwear commercials and a hall of fame speech.
A-woj is spot-on.
It was crazy to see this guy up there still trying to show everyone not how good he was, but how much better he was than them. The insecurity and drive to reverse personal slights seemed to be his #1 driving force, which was surprising to me.
the poster formerly known as sergioftw, in recovery
ya i agree with awoj. it was wierd.
did you see tim duncan and greg pop’s faces? they were like… “what is this?”
It was pretty bad.
In all fairness A-woj is going a little overboard. But as I watched the speech I cringed. He spent the majority of the time calling people out, and when they flashed to other hall of famers they had looks on their face like “Oh God, what is he gonna say next.”
www.freeoden.com Coming soon
by 123_G.O._RipCity on Sep 12, 2009 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions
It was bad, but what are you gonna do.
I definitely prefer class act greatness, heros with humility and a greater respect for the game and all that, but Jordan is Jordan. As petty and vindictive as he is, it really was all that insecurity that drove him to be THE hall of famer, not a hall of famer. I’d like to think sports heros can acheive that level of greatness more gracefully, and some have. Still, for some it’s just not going to happen. He’s not a rapist or wife beater (as far as I know), so if the tude is what it took for him all those years, so be it. I wouldn’t trade all the highlights for a nicer guy. He’s not the first win-at-all-costs-super-athlete-tool and he won’t be the last.
"I wouldn't trade all the highlights for a nicer guy..."
I would. That’s what’s so cool about our team. If the nice guys lose, I still love ‘em nonetheless. And they’re pretty good…
One would think that Portland fans would deplore such triumphalism. My gripe with some of the Jailblazers is that they were jerks, not that a few of them got caught engaging in relatively petty shenanigans (i.e. smoking pot).
I’m not trying to moralize—I hate that stuff. But if one can’t be gracious on such an occasion, what does that say about that person? Would you feel differently about a creep like Bonzi Wells if the Blazers won it all? There are a lot of people who are brilliant at what they do, but if they’re lousy human beings, their success doesn’t change that. And who wants to cheer for the kind of person that MJ revealed himself to be?
Good thing Clyde finally won a ring. Justice.
I'm a hypocrite
I pretty much agree with everything you said. And you shouldn’t apologize for moralizing. It’s probably not done enough. I think the way people treat one another on a daily basis is how we should all be judged.
Still (hypocritical argument to folllow) the Jordan level of athletics is probably always going to be occupied by a-holes. Look at Tiger. Sure he’s gracious in most interviews, but word on the tour is that if things aren’t going his way, he cusses like a drunken sailor (maybe he even hates children, elderly and dogs like David Simms). The best of best are more often than not driven by the insecurity that they aren’t really the best of the best.
Maybe you’re right. Maybe we’d be better off if none of them ever existed. David Robinson, John Stockton and Jack Nicklaus should probably be enough for us. They were pretty amazing and they were all great people.
Only one final note of hypocrisy before I fully admit that I was wrong. If MJ would have been humble and gracious in his inductee speech, would it have erased a competitive lifetime of teammate abuse (did you see the careful word choice and the look in the eye of Pippen when he spoke of-and I can’t remember the quote-what you have to sacrifice to be the best? If nothing else, he went into the hall the very same way he played the game.
I was wrong. I like Brandon Roy’s version better.
Oh, and I do think you’re right that Kobe just watched a Jordan video and decided that the only way to win was to be a child.
woops
Sorry I attributed the “Kobe tryin’ to be like Mike” thing to you. That was TIH. Still agree.
David Simms sounds cool
Michael Jordan is overrated. The only thing he ever did in HD was underwear commercials and a hall of fame speech.
by tominhawaii on Sep 13, 2009 3:13 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I just finished watching it
It was so petty that it is kind of sad. Imagine having a kid with that mentality. Is Kobe like that because he has the same competitive nature or is Kobe just trying to be like Mike because he read The Jordan Rules.
Normally a lot guys mend fences in those speeches I think he just opened old wounds.
Michael Jordan is overrated. The only thing he ever did in HD was underwear commercials and a hall of fame speech.
Looking for vid...
don’t bother with the appx 10 min vids on youtube, the bitterness is edited out. Anyone have a link to the full speech?
You know what this means...
MJ is going to take up reporting just so he can show he is better at it than A-woj.
www.freeoden.com Coming soon
by 123_G.O._RipCity on Sep 12, 2009 10:53 AM PDT reply actions
I look forward to Roy's Hall of Fame speech.
Bring back J.R.
by In Walks Rudy on Sep 12, 2009 11:09 AM PDT reply actions 14 recs
"Also for him drafting The Stache instead of me"
"There are a few teams you have to watch out for in the fourth quarter."
"Yeah, but Portland definitely is not one of them."
-New Orleans Hornets broadcasters at the end of the third quarter with the Hornets leading 74-59. Portland later ends up winning 97-89.
"They don't mind him shooting that shot at all. Rudy Fernandez is not that great of a 3pt shooter."
-New Orleans Hornets broadcasters right after a Rudy Fernandez missed 3pter. Rudy Fernandez finished the game with three 3pters on six attempts.
by Tofu Anonymous on Sep 12, 2009 4:57 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I'm curious who made the final call on that pick.
If I recall correctly, it was Bernie Bickerstaff who wanted to draft Rudy Gay and Michael Jordan overruled him by going with Adam Morrison.
My memory is fuzzy, though.
Stupid people have stupid ideas.
I don't know about that.
I did read that Jordan didn’t want Kwame Brown. Trading the pick for Elton Brand would have been the best move ever.
David Falk went on to mention that Jordan wanted Elton Brand and that it was others in the Washington Wizards front office that who to draft Brown. -BR
by Nick Van Excellent on Sep 14, 2009 12:20 AM PDT up reply actions
"I want to thank Danny Ainge and Kevin McHale. Without them I wouldn't have been in Portland."
There's Gotta Be More To Life
yeah
I remember back when the Bulls won a championship MJ told the adoring parade crowd “thank goodness you drafted me, instead of Portland!”
Ed Whelan’s comment at the time was “you pass the same people on the way down as when up” (and this burnt biscuit award is for you!)
I appreciate his talent and drive, but I’m glad he wasn’t a Blazer so I don’t have to make excuses for this jerk. (But we Blazer fans had enough big heads and bad apples in the days of Rasheed and Bonzi to be ashamed of…)
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Jordan is the GOAT
and my favorite player growing up. However, he could use some lessons in class, humility, and loyalty from guys he went into the Hall with, Stockton, David Robinson, and Jerry Sloan. The Admiral was my second favorite player from that era and here was an intelligent individual with diverse interests who cared about his community. It’s too bad his legacy will always be slighted due to Olajuwon eating his lunch during the playoff series in his MVP year.
by xedubx on Sep 12, 2009 12:49 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Stockton, Sloan, Stringer, and Robinson were very classy
Jordan on the other hand was beyond weird. I think AW could have hammered the man even harder. How do you spend more time talking about Byron Russell than your kids? He might be the GOAT, but he is one wierd GOAT.
Michael Jordan may be the greatest basketball player of all time
but he was also a compulsive gambler, had a very bad marriage and probably a bad family as well. Plus, he smoked cigars. Die Jordan Die!
But seriously, I’m kinda not surprised at the same time. Jordan is a very pretentious person. He’s made millions of dollars, and everyone dubs him as the greatest basketball of all time and as one of the great athletes of all time. It’s sad to see this, but there’s no doubt that he’s cocky.
Then I see someone like Magic Johnson, who is always humble. Lakers > Bulls?
The Kings have the best bench I’ve seen. There are easily 14 guys on this team good enough for every bench in the league. Now if we could only get some starters, I’d totally jizz in my pants.
Kings fan
Oh your talking about Jordan...
I thought at first you were describing Babe Ruth…
Funny how some of the greats have similar traits.
"OK, it's going to rain tomorrow. And there is going to be a Greenpeace meeting and hippies are going to be protesting" ~ The Buffet of Goodness on Portland
If you think Magic Johnson is humble
Then Kobe Bryant is the classiest person in the NBA right now.
The 2009 White Sox....like a 40 degree day.
by Ozzie Montana on Sep 12, 2009 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah,
like I mentioned in my second comment, I’m not really old enough to even see how these players really acted on the court. Just from what I’ve heard of other fans and their interactions with Magic Johnson as well as his commentating in TNT, he seems like a nice guy. Maybe he’s a jerk though.
The Kings have the best bench I’ve seen. There are easily 14 guys on this team good enough for every bench in the league. Now if we could only get some starters, I’d totally jizz in my pants.
Kings fan
by dyshooter182 on Sep 12, 2009 4:57 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm being too harsh on him
I don’t hate Jordan or anything. In fact, I don’t really know much about him besides his highlight reels. I just read my comment, and I take it back a bit. He had a messy divorce, but so what? So do about half of all Americans. Not to mention, as fans we should allow him to have his own darn personal life to himself.
The Kings have the best bench I’ve seen. There are easily 14 guys on this team good enough for every bench in the league. Now if we could only get some starters, I’d totally jizz in my pants.
Kings fan
by dyshooter182 on Sep 12, 2009 4:55 PM PDT up reply actions
I think Awoj is going a little over the top...
But MJ was pretty petty in his speech. He basically just called out everyone that rubbed him the wrong way and sort of took a “look at me now” attitude towards them. Bringing the guy along that got a spot on the varsity basketball team over him? That is pretty petty, like that player or the coach hasn’t realized it was a mistake for the last 20+ years….
I think it's hilarious that Jordan is celebrated for weeks for being so hyper-competitive
Then, when he goes up and gives a speech that showcases his personality, he’s roundly criticized as “petty.” Woj is right, Jordan’s demeanor shows why he’s an awful executive, but he’s an idiot for expecting something else out of the man.
The 2009 White Sox....like a 40 degree day.
did he mention how stern made him sit out a few years instead of being banned for gambling on basketball?
probably not.
dinasour type of guys choir boys
Honestly, I'm not sure what people expected...
That’s exactly the kind of speech I would have imagined him giving. Was he petty at times? Maybe, but I appreciate the insight into what drove him to that level of success. The fact that he remembers the details of some light trash talking Bryon Russell gave him 15 years ago says a lot.
Let’s face it…Jordan was the best; we all know it and he knows it. He’s not going to go up there and act all humble just because that’s what he’s “supposed” to do. Jordan’s just going to be Jordan.
Just watched David Robinson's speech
Now there’s a class act. One of the most inspirational NBA players ever, in my humble opinion.
http://www.nba.com/video/channels/hall_of_fame/2009/09/11/nba_20090911_hof_robinson_speech.nba/
by el_flaco on Sep 12, 2009 8:42 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
I cant understand how he can be a bitter,frustrated guy but
He clearly is,if it walks,talks and looks ect
by southern oregon on Sep 12, 2009 10:57 PM PDT reply actions
I think the problem is that he was brutally honest
His whole speech was about explaining his motivation for being the greatest, and his method of explaining, which was to drag out old wounds and greivances, obviously rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. But really that is who he was. He had the biggest public stage to discuss these things, and presented them in a way so that he “won”, and nobody can really usurp that. Byron Russell is never going to be able to get on a big stage and say “MJ was the real jerk”, same way none of these other guys are going to be able to present their “side” the way MJ did. He won at basketball, and he wanted to win this war of words too. And he did, but not without tarnishing his rep as the ULTIMATE sports role model for youth.
Really, this speech should serve as an indictment of our society’s methods for selecting role models for our kids. MJ’s ‘way’ worked for him, he was able to win, but is that really how you want your children to accept victory? By beating up those who have already surrendered?
"B-Roy is the best shooting guard I have played against"
-Ron Artest
No commercials! NO MERCY!
The Kings have the best bench I’ve seen. There are easily 14 guys on this team good enough for every bench in the league. Now if we could only get some starters, I’d totally jizz in my pants.
Kings fan
by dyshooter182 on Sep 13, 2009 1:19 AM PDT up reply actions
didn't think much could make me like him less but ... .WOW...
Martell indeed will be > than Jordan.
The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out, burns out farms, and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.
"New Man Law: If you don't show up for the draft you don't get to come later if you're picked. If you believe in yourself, show up and sit there. If nobody else believes in you, take it and cry like a man...in front of the cameras."
-Dave
Not surprised at all he feels that way
As others have said, that speech wasn’t out of character for Michael Jordan in the least. The man is hyper-competitive and will never let any slight, real or imagined, go. The thing that did surprise me was he actually vocalized this at the induction ceremony. Jordan and Nike have done a masterful job at crafting his public persona, and I am somewhat surprised that nobody who heard this before the ceremony (and I’m sure every inductee has at least a couple people vet heir speech before the big day) told him that he might want to go with a softer touch.
Give Rashad Floyd a permanent slot on 95.5 the Game
Adrian Wojnarowski was right
While the speeches by the other hall of famers showed dignity and class, Jordan’s didn’t. He made himself look and sound foolish. He needed to leave the past in the past by avoiding all the nasty barbs and be grateful for the honor that was being bestowed upon him.
awoj needs a hug!!
Everybody knows Jordan was never known for being articulate, he just got up there and told the truth, maybe if he wasn’t so dominating in his career the speech wouldn’t have seemed so harsh to some people. He had no hurtful intentions up there. The Van Gundy thing was not disrespectful or malicious, and the thing with his kids was just him basically saying “i feel sorry for you guys for having to fill my shoes” I understand that. He’s simply trying to take some of the pressure that comes with expectations off his kids, how evil!!!
Go Blazers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
And.............
Everybody keeps saying what he should have said. Why is speaking your mind so taboo now-a-days?? People act like they would rather be lied to than told the truth. I don’t get it.
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