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Thursday,Sep 24 2009, 04:46:55 AMJordan: Competitive or Crass?
To have covered Michael Jordan is to have a favorite Jordan story tucked away in your memory bank. And seeing Jordan again recently, as fiery as ever during what was supposed to be a happy-go-lucky Hall of Fame induction speech, reminded me again of his legendary competitive streak. My favorite MJ memory is Air Jordan Shoes somewhat random, but it goes like this: It was the 2002-03 season and Jordan was in the final minutes of the fourth quarter of his storied career, slogging along with the mediocre Washington Wizards. Washington's players were milling around following a morning shootaround practice and Kwame Brown had the gall to challenge Jordan to a shooting contest. Ultimately, the two agreed that Jordan would get five tries to make a half-court shot. If he failed, he'd have to pay Brown $5,000. Of course, that might seem like an exorbitant amount to cash to you and me, but to NBA types that kind of money is chicken feed. But clearly, this wasn't about the money to Jordan. It was about teaching the young punk Brown a lesson. It was about Michael Jordan Shoes making him pay for daring to tug on Superman's cape. Of course, Jordan nailed the half-court shot on his first and only try, and as he walked off the court he glared knowingly at Brown. His eyes looked as menacing as those on a serial killer. As Brown walked off the court shaking his head, then-teammate Bryon Russell chided him: ``You are dumb enough to bet against the greatest competitor of all time? You fool, that's Michael Jordan!!!'' I was reminded of that moment two weeks ago when I saw Jordan take the podium at the Hall of Fame and lay waste to those who dared to cross him along the way throughout his career. Whereas most honorees use Air Jordan 1 the Hall moment to thank those who helped them get to this point, Jordan tauntingly chided those who might have forgotten just how good he was. He ripped his high school and college coach, got into one his former high school teammates and even his college roommate. He mocked Jerry Krause and even called out the very Hall that was inducting for daring to raise ticket prices and make a buck off him. He even offered up sympathy to his two brothers who didn't grow as tall as him, and pity to his two sons who have to live in his cold shadow. It was shocking to the system of most, and some have even branded Jordan as a bitter, angry old man in the days since his speech. But you must understand this about Jordan: Winning was never enough for him. He had to have your heart in the process. He had to rip you of your manhood as he beat you. He needed two and then three championships after he got his first one. ed hardy shoes Then, following a brief time away from the game, he needed another three championships to separate himself from the other great players so that there would be no question he is the greatest of them all. Sure, he could have been humble and modest during Friday's speech, but M.J. never really was either as a player. He was an infamous trash-talker, beating foes and then telling them about it all the way back up court. That step-on-your-neck competitiveness, combined with those awesome physical gifts, is what helped Jordan be better than Clyde Drexler and even more dominant than Dominique Wilkins. A marketing genius who made sure not offend anyone who might buy his sneakers, Jordan dropped that politically correct guard on the night of his induction. This was real, raw and uncensored Jordan. For years everyone wanted to ``be like Mike.'' Well, this was him in the truest sense, and he didn't care who he offended along the way. Thinking back on M.J.'s speech, I realize now that this was no great moment for him. Truthfully, it was probably one of the saddest moments of his professional career. For Jordan, one of the NHL Jerseys greatest competitors of all time, this wasn't an induction; it was a funeral. It signified the finish line on a race he probably isn't ready to stop running yet. Going into the Hall of Fame let him know once and for all that there will be no more comebacks. The ride is over. Jordan was our generation's No. 1 Alpha Dog, and it has to humbling now to know he's just back running with the pack. It isn't easy to stop being ``The Man,'' so it's somewhat understandable that he came off bitter, angry and petty at his Hall of Fame induction. But we'll always have our favorite memories of Jordan, and that half-court shot that taught Kwame Brown a lesson is mine. Sure, it's a rather random memory, but I thought it provided a great glimpse into the competitive fire of this great man. It's up us, I guess, whether or not we choose to remember the Jordan who couldn't exit the spotlight gracefully at the Hall of Fame. http://fans.wwe.com/ytwlgs4
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