PDA

View Full Version : MJ's disappointing HOF speech..



33bird
09-12-2009, 07:25 PM
They saved the worst for last-not the best. Did you guys see it? Stocks, Sloans, and Robos were great. They gave everybody credit for helping them get to the HOF. It was more about others than themselves. Then MJ comes up and disses about everyone from his high school teammate for making the team when he didn't, to Dean Smith not putting him on the SI cover, to Doug Collins not wanting him to play during the off season, to Krause taking credit for the Bulls championships, to Reinsdorf trying to protect his investment during his 2nd season, to Bryon Russell for talking trash to him, to Pat Riley for telling his players not to eat with him on game days, etc. etc. Was real disappointed. Hardly mentioned his family, other than it's gotta be tuff to be my kids. Mentioned no teammates other than Pippen once and tons of his teammates were there: I saw Kukoc, Kerr, and even Rodman. He even said shit in his speech. Man, everybody knows you're the greatest Mike. It's time to back off the me, me, me, and give others some credit. There's a nice article about this on yahoo sports. Dude rips apart his speech. Saying MJ was the only player that could ever get away with all the things he said. He's a cruddy husband, cruddy father, and a cruddy GM. I think he's lost without the contest competition and fanfare. Real disappointed. What did you guys think?

metsbats
09-12-2009, 09:10 PM
Jordan did mention his parents , brothers, and sister in a positive light.

I didn't take his speech as focusing on himself or who dissed him but rather him relating situations which sometimes don't go our way or perceived as obstacles and making them a motivation (he kept mentioning adding wood to the fire) to do better and be the best you can be. These were all specific situations which fed his fire which helped him become the best basketball player in the world. He wasn't ranting or on a soap box and graciously thanked each person who help feed this fire.

One thing which I thought was off color was the mention that he had to pay $1,000 to get everyone into the HOF ceremony.

Just my 2 ct.

Mauer7
09-12-2009, 09:18 PM
Jordan has always been an arrogant jerk. Always has, always will.

worldchamps
09-12-2009, 09:21 PM
I am glad to hear this as well, me and my brother in law where just sitting here shaking our heads on how cocky he was....yes he is the greatest, but it would have been nice to see him a little more humble.

Robinson has always been my favorite player and he did not disappoint at all. All he did was thank other people.

jobathenut
09-12-2009, 09:30 PM
metsbats-I watched the speech and took it almost the same way as you.I did'nt read anything negative into what he said.And i am not sure how you could take anything negative away from it.Other than maybe it's because they did'nt care for him.Because if you didnt like him,well than i can see why people would be negative about it.Because if you don't like someone it does'nt really matter what they say or do.And i can almost guarentee those complaining about it,were not big fans of his.You are always going to have people that don't like you no matter what you do or say.You can't make everyone happy and get everyone to like you.But then i happen to consider jordan the best player in my lifetime.:)
Jordan did mention his parents , brothers, and sister in a positive light.

I didn't take his speech as focusing on himself or who dissed him but rather him relating situations which sometimes don't go our way or perceived as obstacles and making them a motivation (he kept mentioning adding wood to the fire) to do better and be the best you can be. These were all specific situations which fed his fire which helped him become the best basketball player in the world. He wasn't ranting or on a soap box and graciously thanked each person who help feed this fire.

One thing which I thought was off color was the mention that he had to pay $1,000 to get everyone into the HOF ceremony.

Just my 2 ct.

tigerhidden
09-12-2009, 09:51 PM
I think it's a little funny for a person with the user id 33bird to call out Jordan for being a "cruddy father." It took Bird like 20 years to acknowledge a kid he had from a previous marriage, who he never had anything to do with. But you're right Bird is a much better GM;).

both-teams-played-hard
09-12-2009, 10:04 PM
Of course, MJ is arrogant. If he wasn't his name would be Dominique, he'd have a high-top fade and a shoe deal with Brooks.

I personally like the use of the adjective, "cruddy". Tanner Boyle would be proud.:)

http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/9830/tannerboylebadnewsbears.jpg

33bird
09-12-2009, 10:14 PM
Birds not perfect either, neither is my man Pete Rose. I'm an MJ fan too, but, honestly, it was a bad performance...cruddy too..lol.

33bird
09-12-2009, 10:15 PM
Is that a poster of Larry Bowa on the wall behind Tanner?

nomarmauerfan
09-12-2009, 10:33 PM
Is that a poster of Larry Bowa on the wall behind Tanner?

Yes, it is. I had the same one in my room as a kid. He was my favorite player growing up.

Mike

both-teams-played-hard
09-12-2009, 10:56 PM
Yes, it is. I had the same one in my room as a kid. He was my favorite player growing up.


Tanner wasn't my favorite player. I was partial to Kelly Leak.


Back to the topic...
Can anyone comment on Peter Vescey's speech from the HOF dinner?

33bird
09-12-2009, 11:04 PM
What most people don't realize is that Kelly Leak was actually Steve Nash.

emann
09-12-2009, 11:06 PM
I think it's hard NOT to deliver that sort of speech when you're Michael Jordan.

I actually went to the city's rally earlier in the day. The crowd exploded when Jordan came on-stage (to the point the girl behind me was loudly sobbing at the sight of him and saying "oh my God" over & over). It was a deafening standing ovation... They chanted his name over the other's names at the end of the short speeches (when they were trying to acknowled all the inductees) and he was just chuckling... He's sports version of Elvis, the Beatles and Michael Jackson all wrapped up into one. It'll be years before another athlete reaches that level of super stardom.

As a side note, even though the crowd was all there to see Jordan; his speech was all of about 30 seconds and not much past a "thanks". Robinson on the other hand gave a short but heartfelt speech thanking the fans and how honored he was to be there, etc. Robinson is a real class act though, probably not many in sports like him, nor should it be expected.

both-teams-played-hard
09-13-2009, 12:46 AM
What most people don't realize is that Kelly Leak was actually Steve Nash.
http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/9175/stevenashhome.gifhttp://img27.imageshack.us/img27/7697/kelly2e.jpg

sportscentury
09-13-2009, 11:20 AM
They saved the worst for last-not the best. Did you guys see it? Stocks, Sloans, and Robos were great. They gave everybody credit for helping them get to the HOF. It was more about others than themselves. Then MJ comes up and disses about everyone from his high school teammate for making the team when he didn't, to Dean Smith not putting him on the SI cover, to Doug Collins not wanting him to play during the off season, to Krause taking credit for the Bulls championships, to Reinsdorf trying to protect his investment during his 2nd season, to Bryon Russell for talking trash to him, to Pat Riley for telling his players not to eat with him on game days, etc. etc. Was real disappointed. Hardly mentioned his family, other than it's gotta be tuff to be my kids. Mentioned no teammates other than Pippen once and tons of his teammates were there: I saw Kukoc, Kerr, and even Rodman. He even said shit in his speech. Man, everybody knows you're the greatest Mike. It's time to back off the me, me, me, and give others some credit. There's a nice article about this on yahoo sports. Dude rips apart his speech. Saying MJ was the only player that could ever get away with all the things he said. He's a cruddy husband, cruddy father, and a cruddy GM. I think he's lost without the contest competition and fanfare. Real disappointed. What did you guys think?

Great post. I thought I was the only one shaking my head at him. Actually, it was amazing to see that after everything he has accomplished, he is still so bitter about the little stuff. Sad.

33bird
09-13-2009, 11:43 AM
Yea, I mean, I think MJ was the greatest player ever. Most fans do. He's got nothing left to prove. If you couldn't see the difference between his speech and all the others you got the MJ blinders on. It should have been more about his family, coaches, teammates, trainers, and those that helped get him there. Not about all those petty things that nobody cares about anymore except him. No biggie, except I lost a little respect for him.

NYCrulesU
09-13-2009, 11:46 AM
They saved the worst for last-not the best. Did you guys see it? Stocks, Sloans, and Robos were great. They gave everybody credit for helping them get to the HOF. It was more about others than themselves. Then MJ comes up and disses about everyone from his high school teammate for making the team when he didn't, to Dean Smith not putting him on the SI cover, to Doug Collins not wanting him to play during the off season, to Krause taking credit for the Bulls championships, to Reinsdorf trying to protect his investment during his 2nd season, to Bryon Russell for talking trash to him, to Pat Riley for telling his players not to eat with him on game days, etc. etc. Was real disappointed. Hardly mentioned his family, other than it's gotta be tuff to be my kids. Mentioned no teammates other than Pippen once and tons of his teammates were there: I saw Kukoc, Kerr, and even Rodman. He even said shit in his speech. Man, everybody knows you're the greatest Mike. It's time to back off the me, me, me, and give others some credit. There's a nice article about this on yahoo sports. Dude rips apart his speech. Saying MJ was the only player that could ever get away with all the things he said. He's a cruddy husband, cruddy father, and a cruddy GM. I think he's lost without the contest competition and fanfare. Real disappointed. What did you guys think?


Thank you for bringing this up. I couldn't agree with you more. I settled in to watch, what I thought, was going to be the greatest NBA HOF induction ceremony that I would probably ever see in my lifetime. What I got was an ending that actually had me in shock. MJ was arrogant, pompous and exceedingly selfish in everything he said. It was unbelievable. So much so that I actually turned it off at one point about midway through his speech. I honestly couldn't stand to sit there and watch him ridicule anyone from team executives to players to some kid back when he was in high school. In clearly showed what is truly in his heart.

His entire attitude was, as I now think of Jordan himself, sad and pathetic.

corsairs22
09-13-2009, 11:48 AM
I lost a lot of respect for him. I'm glad I am not like Mike. But I will drink Gatorade.

sportscentury
09-13-2009, 11:53 AM
I lost a lot of respect for him. I'm glad I am not like Mike. But I will drink Gatorade.

Yes, Gatorade is refreshing.

kingjammy24
09-13-2009, 01:15 PM
seems i'm one of the few who liked it. during his prime, jordan was often derided for wasting his immense global influence on little more than selling big macs and nikes. "you better eat your wheaties" was his most profound soundbite. most felt that he intentionally kept his thoughts to himself to avoid possibly making waves that might affect his lucrative sponsorships. during his glory years, basketball's greatest player came across as little more than a carefully-controlled marketing image crafted by mcdonalds, nike, etc. a man who kept his mouth shut at all times, except to utter marketing slogans.

his HOF speech was a 180 from the reserved jordan known by the public during his playing days. he finally came out and spoke from the heart and i suppose that's the reason i enjoyed it. negative or not, it certainly wasn't the usual canned bullshit filled with insipid cliches that characterize most speeches. i have more respect for a man who speaks his mind, even if it isn't all lollipops and butterflies, than a man so concerned about possibly offending others that he filters everything he says until it's little more than watered-down, politically correct cack. these sorts of speeches would be a lot more interesting if more people had the guts to speak their mind instead of rattling off another boilerplate speech that could be delivered by anyone. "i'd like to thank my family and the team and the good Lord above for making my dreams come true. it just goes to show that hard work pays off and blah blah blah blah". i guess i see more point in watching a charles barkley interview than a cal ripken interview because at least with barkley i don't know how the whole thing is going to go before it even starts.

most of the negative things he said about others was in the context of explaining what motivated him.

rudy.

both-teams-played-hard
09-13-2009, 02:50 PM
seems i'm one of the few who liked it. during his prime, jordan was often derided for wasting his immense global influence on little more than selling big macs and nikes. "you better eat your wheaties" was his most profound soundbite. most felt that he intentionally kept his thoughts to himself to avoid possibly making waves that might affect his lucrative sponsorships. during his glory years, basketball's greatest player came across as little more than a carefully-controlled marketing image crafted by mcdonalds, nike, etc. a man who kept his mouth shut at all times, except to utter marketing slogans.

his HOF speech was a 180 from the reserved jordan known by the public during his playing days. he finally came out and spoke from the heart and i suppose that's the reason i enjoyed it. negative or not, it certainly wasn't the usual canned bullshit filled with insipid cliches that characterize most speeches. i have more respect for a man who speaks his mind, even if it isn't all lollipops and butterflies, than a man so concerned about possibly offending others that he filters everything he says until it's little more than watered-down, politically correct cack. these sorts of speeches would be a lot more interesting if more people had the guts to speak their mind instead of rattling off another boilerplate speech that could be delivered by anyone. "i'd like to thank my family and the team and the good Lord above for making my dreams come true. it just goes to show that hard work pays off and blah blah blah blah". i guess i see more point in watching a charles barkley interview than a cal ripken interview because at least with barkley i don't know how the whole thing is going to go before it even starts.

most of the negative things he said about others was in the context of explaining what motivated him.

rudy.
So true.
Maybe Jordan should have thanked more people. Then again, maybe more people should thank Jordan. Jordan globalized basketball, both amateur and professional. Jordan made the NBA millions, which in turn, made many marginal players, millions. If it wasn't for MJ, would anyone even know who Scottie Pippen is?

33bird
09-13-2009, 04:20 PM
MJ's had his ass kissed his whole life, but I can see, sorta, what you're saying. But even he said in his speech, "You guys already know everything about me." Well, if that's true, which it is, then don't go over all that petty bull crap about Leroy Smith and Jerry Krause again. Yea, it wasn't the same old speech that everyone gives, but I didn't find it interesting or inspirational either. Found it petty and embarrasing really. Somebody post the yahoo sports article about it all on here and let everybody read that. The reporter tore MJ's speech a hole and it was well deserved.

suicide_squeeze
09-14-2009, 11:10 AM
Michael Jordan's speech was pathetic.

For someone who rose to such greatness, he could have come up with something a bit more "enriching" for all of his life-long fans, teammates, family, friends, coaches, etc. to remember his enshrinement by.

If he wasn't up to the task, he should have spent a bit of his massive fortune and hired a speech writer.....then stayed off the golf course a few days to read it over and over and over so he knew what to say when he took the stage.

David Robinson is a class act, far too rich in character to even remotely be associated with the NBA.....although I will say that under Stern's watch, the NBA has risen to a much higher level of class. The Hall of Fame stage and the setting it took place in was about the most beautiful setting I have ever seen....easily rivaling any Academy Awards ceremony (or any other for that matter) I have ever seen.

I'll leave it with this: MJ might have been the greatest basketball player ever to grace his city with a natural born superstar leader.....but he is the Barry Bonds/Pete Rose of basketball. His character flaws were deep. And I agree, it's all about what the athlete did on the court. But there copmes a point in time that you just have to extend that "greatness" into your personal life too, or what worth do you really have to society, or yourself for that matter?

I don't have a problem with Michael Jordan walking into the casino's and dropping a $MILL here and there like he has over the years on several occasions....that was his problem. But 20 years ago, while at work one day, a friend of mine was shaking his head because the "Bulls are in town again". When I asked him if he was bummed because he couldn't get tickets to the game, he explained that he was worried about his sister's mental state of mind because Michael Jordan picks her up in a black limo to take her to a nearby hotel while his "bodyguards" stand watch outside. We were blown away with this. I mean, we weren't naive, but it really hit's home when it's someone you know that these things happen to. That's when you've got to rethink who it is you idolize. It turns out she met Michael Jordan at a club one time. He took a fancy to her, to say the least, and had an ongoing affair with her. She was 20 years old. And yes, Michael Jordan was married at the time, and had very young children already.

He didn't thank her in his speech, go figure.

both-teams-played-hard
09-14-2009, 12:59 PM
But 20 years ago, while at work one day, a friend of mine was shaking his head because the "Bulls are in town again". When I asked him if he was bummed because he couldn't get tickets to the game, he explained that he was worried about his sister's mental state of mind because Michael Jordan picks her up in a black limo to take her to a nearby hotel while his "bodyguards" stand watch outside. We were blown away with this. I mean, we weren't naive, but it really hit's home when it's someone you know that these things happen to. That's when you've got to rethink who it is you idolize. It turns out she met Michael Jordan at a club one time. He took a fancy to her, to say the least, and had an ongoing affair with her. She was 20 years old. And yes, Michael Jordan was married at the time, and had very young children already.



Suicide
Did you break this "scoop" with TMZ?
I can see the headline now: "The Barry Bonds of the NBA cheated on his wife 20 years ago". Riveting.

CollectGU
09-14-2009, 01:26 PM
I think that many of the characteristics (or character flaws) that made Jordan the greatest to ever play where on hand in his speech: selfish, stubborn, petty, relentless, cocky, etc..I think the speech gave you a very interesting look into the psyche of Jordan and what drove him to greatness. All of the things you hated about his speech are attributable to those chracteristics that made him the greatest. That's why his speech was actually good, because it was real.

Dave

gameused
09-14-2009, 02:02 PM
Byron Russell has a message for Jordan.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=mc-jordanrussell091209&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

SWPY
09-14-2009, 08:44 PM
MJ is my favorite player of all time, but I would have to agree with 33bird, his speach was dissapointing in everyway. My take is that he didn't even prepare for that speech with the exception of his last statement where "...fear is just an illusion." Very dissapointing!

suicide_squeeze
09-15-2009, 12:29 PM
Suicide
Did you break this "scoop" with TMZ?
I can see the headline now: "The Barry Bonds of the NBA cheated on his wife 20 years ago". Riveting.


B-T-P-H,

What was the reason for this post? Did I say it was a "scoop"? All I was doing was sharing with fellow members something that I am first-person aware of, that gives

But I guess if you just have to blow off a bit of steam because I stepped on your boy, feel free. Punks kind of hang together anyways, no matter how much fame and fortune one of them has obtained. Go at it, "bro".

suicide_squeeze
09-15-2009, 12:32 PM
Not sire why part of my last post "disappeared"...

First sentence shoul finish .... "that gives a little insight as to his character which is pretty much status-quo for any professional star athlete."

rj_lucas
09-15-2009, 03:25 PM
I think that many of the characteristics (or character flaws) that made Jordan the greatest to ever play where on hand in his speech: selfish, stubborn, petty, relentless, cocky, etc..I think the speech gave you a very interesting look into the psyche of Jordan and what drove him to greatness. All of the things you hated about his speech are attributable to those chracteristics that made him the greatest. That's why his speech was actually good, because it was real.

Dave

Substitute the word 'actions' for 'speech' and 'Rose' for 'Jordan' and you've given us a perfect description of Pete Rose.

Minus the Hall of Fame part of course...

Rick
rickjlucas@gmail.com

flaco1801
09-15-2009, 06:36 PM
i saw most of the speech and i'd have to say i dont know what the uproar is about.... i never watch b ball.. mj is and was competive, and thats what makes him stand far above the others... and thats what makes the good from the greats... he said nothing wrong, he was honest...i guess people dont understand the truth anymore...

33bird
09-15-2009, 07:49 PM
Flaco-you're in the minority bro. All the reporting on it from websites to Espn to yahoo, to NBA players and his own teammates, say he screwed the pooch on that speech. I think the majority of the people thought it stunk. I'm one of them.

CollectGU
09-15-2009, 08:27 PM
Substitute the word 'actions' for 'speech' and 'Rose' for 'Jordan' and you've given us a perfect description of Pete Rose.

Minus the Hall of Fame part of course...

Rick
rickjlucas@gmail.com


Many of these special players are some of the most insecure people in the world, never feeling they are good enough, always feeling they can do better, no matter what they accomplish. It is what drives them ( not all of them but many, just look at Arod) from being simply great to that next level.

sportscentury
09-15-2009, 09:33 PM
I watched/listened to MJ's speech again and thought more about his life, career, and approach to the game. I've softened my take on his speech and enjoyed it more the second time around. I also spoke to someone who spent some time with him at the induction weekend and have the sense that MJ was really good to him, which was nice to hear.

flaco1801
09-15-2009, 09:46 PM
thanks for the compliment greg... sportscasters and former players are not whom i aspire to be likened to... ive met far too many and dont hold them in the highest regard, even the nice ones are not very inteligent. there is not enuf space to place all the names, but 2 come to mind quickly koosman and dykstra... playing ball all my life ive played with many atheletes who had no passion and desire, they just played the game. jordan was just enlightning those who choose to learn where his competiveness came from... too many players just going thru the motions...ordinary ballplayers equals ordinary speeches... learn from the special ones, hes not perfect,but he doesnt deserve the negativity. thats my take..

sportscrazy13
09-15-2009, 11:18 PM
This is the type of speech I expected from him. That's what you get from the mind of the greatest basketball player to ever lace them up. Best part of all I got from his speech is all the old MJ haters... they hate him even more now.:D

mmonte4
09-16-2009, 12:21 AM
IMO, if you look at MJ's speech in a negative light you just don't get it. There was something that made MJ great, and separated him from everyone else. In his speech, he gave us all candid insight into what it was.

Take a look at what PTI cohost and Washington Post writer Michael Wilbon wrote about the speech:

http://views.washingtonpost.com/world-wide-wilbon/wilbon/2009/09/the_speech_thats_mj.html

BorchertField
09-16-2009, 09:13 AM
I'll leave it with this: MJ might have been the greatest basketball player ever to grace his city with a natural born superstar leader.....but he is the Barry Bonds/Pete Rose of basketball. His character flaws were deep.

While Jordan's speech was indeed pathetic and petty, you can't compare him to that scumbag Rose. He might have been a gambler, but I'm not aware of him actually breaking the rules of his sport.

oakesc8855
09-16-2009, 08:30 PM
They saved the worst for last-not the best. Did you guys see it? Stocks, Sloans, and Robos were great. They gave everybody credit for helping them get to the HOF. It was more about others than themselves. Then MJ comes up and disses about everyone from his high school teammate for making the team when he didn't, to Dean Smith not putting him on the SI cover, to Doug Collins not wanting him to play during the off season, to Krause taking credit for the Bulls championships, to Reinsdorf trying to protect his investment during his 2nd season, to Bryon Russell for talking trash to him, to Pat Riley for telling his players not to eat with him on game days, etc. etc. Was real disappointed. Hardly mentioned his family, other than it's gotta be tuff to be my kids. Mentioned no teammates other than Pippen once and tons of his teammates were there: I saw Kukoc, Kerr, and even Rodman. He even said shit in his speech. Man, everybody knows you're the greatest Mike. It's time to back off the me, me, me, and give others some credit. There's a nice article about this on yahoo sports. Dude rips apart his speech. Saying MJ was the only player that could ever get away with all the things he said. He's a cruddy husband, cruddy father, and a cruddy GM. I think he's lost without the contest competition and fanfare. Real disappointed. What did you guys think?


I'm going to have to go ahead and disagree with you, I might have some bias thought as you probably do as well...I'm a huge Jordan fan, and thought the speech was great and how he used all of the things that he talked about as fuel to the fire, because when you are the best you sometimes have to find something to give you the desire. The only thing he really talked negativley about was Krause which he never got along with and I agree with some of the reasons why they didnt get along and I also dont think its fair for you to say he's a cruddy father, although I imagine he is a cruddy husband as he cheated on his wife and his run at GM hasnt been so great yet but he is with a young building team.

Moustache Gang
09-17-2009, 08:08 PM
Posters,

I see most either loved or hated Mike's HOF speech. My own opinion is that it was very unprofessional. Look at most HOF speeches and the awardee usually gives thanks and gratitude toward God, family, coaches, players, mentors and others who had a profound impact on their lives and their careers.

All I know is if I made the Dads Hall of Fame, which I probably never would, but I am giving it my best shot, at my induction speech I would pay thanks to all those who helped me raise a great family, assisted me in contributing to my community and society, and I would pay high tributes to my loving wife and three kids who mean the world to me.

I really believe MJ's speech was self-centered and unlike most speeches of other men and women who have been inducted into a HOF.

I fully agree with Rick Reilly's entire Article below from ESPN Magazine.

Mark


Updated: September 16, 2009, 9:13 PM ET
Be like Mike? No thanks


Email (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=reilly_rick&id=4477759#) Print (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=4477759&type=story) Share (javascript:void(0);) var stobj = SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title:"Reilly:%20Be%20like%20Mike?%20No%20thanks", url:"http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=reilly_rick%26id=4477759", published: "2009-09-16" }); stobj.attachButton(document.getElementById("espnstlink"));
http://a.espncdn.com/i/columnists/Reilly_Rick_35.jpg (http://search.espn.go.com/rick-reilly/) By Rick Reilly
ESPN The Magazine
Archive (http://search.espn.go.com/rick-reilly/)


http://a.espncdn.com/i/mag/blog/2009/0916reilly_576x324.jpgAndrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images


Michael Jordan's Hall of Fame talk was the Exxon Valdez of speeches. It was, by turns, rude, vindictive and flammable. And that was just when he was trying to be funny. It was tactless, egotistical and unbecoming. When it was done, nobody wanted to be like Mike.



And yet we couldn't stop watching. Because this was an inside look into the mindset of an icon who'd never let anybody inside before. From what I saw, I'd never want to go back. Here is a man who's won just about everything there is to win -- six NBA titles, five MVPs and two Olympics golds. And yet he sounded like a guy who's been screwed out of every trophy ever minted. He's the world's first sore winner.



In the entire 23-minute cringe-athon, there were only six thank yous, seven if you count his sarcastic rip at the very Hall that was inducting him. "Thank you, Hall of Fame, for raising ticket prices, I guess," he sneered. By comparison, David Robinson's classy and heartfelt seven-minute speech had 17. Joe Montana's even shorter speech in Canton had 23. Who wrote your speech Mike? Kanye West?



Not that Jordan's speech wasn't from the heart. It was. It's just that Jordan's heart on this night could give you frostbite. Nobody was spared, including his high school coach, his high school teammate, his college coach, two of his pro coaches, his college roommate, his pro owner, his pro general manager, the man who was presenting him that evening, even his kids!



"I wouldn't want to be you guys if I had to," he said as they squirmed in their seats.



He even mocked his own brothers, calling them maybe 5-foot-5 and 5-6. Actually, they're about 5-8 and 5-9. Michael was the one blessed with the height gene, not the tact one.



Jordan had decided that this was the perfect night to list all the ways everybody sitting in front of him had pissed him off over the past 30 years: Dean Smith, Doug Collins, Jerry Reinsdorf, Pat Riley, Isiah Thomas, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, George Gervin and Jeff Van Gundy. It was the only one-man roast in Hall of Fame history. Only very little of it was funny.


Jordan owes a roomful of apologies. But it'll never happen. I know firsthand. He once told me, "You know you don't get no apologies in this business."





He was like that Japanese World War II soldier they found hiding in a cave in Guam 27 years after the Japanese surrendered. The only difference is, Jordan won! What good is victory if you never realize the battle is over?


This is how Jordan really is, I just never thought he'd let the world see it. His old Bulls' assistant coach, Johnny Bach, told me early on, "This guy is a killer. He's a cold-blooded assassin. It's not enough for him to beat you. He wants you dead."



I covered his entire career and saw examples of it throughout. Saw him break Rodney McCray in after-practice, $100 shooting games, humiliate him until McCray lost his stroke. Watched him race his car up the shoulder of Chicago interstates just because he didn't have the patience to wait in traffic. Heard how he'd kept his friends confined to his hotel room at the Barcelona Olympics so he could play cards -- and keep playing until he won. For Jordan, it was never enough to win. He had to have scalps.


Now here he was, in Springfield without a filter or a PR guy to cut him off, while his staff must've been covering their eyes. And suddenly, it hit you: Michael Jordan is the guy who gets up at the rehearsal dinner, grabs the mike and ruins the night.



The thing Jordan doesn't understand is, it doesn't have to be this way. Terry Bradshaw won four Super Bowls and gave one of the greatest speeches in the history of the Hall of Fame. "Folks!" he hollered. "You don't get elected into the Hall of Fame by yourself! Thank you number 88, Lynn Swann! Thank you, Franco Harris! Thank you Rocky Bleier! What I wouldn't give right now to put my hands under [center] Mike Webster's butt just one more time! Thank you Mike!" He thanked linemen, tight ends, everybody but the ushers.



Had Jordan been in his shoes, he'd have said, "Hey, Steve Kerr! Remember when I kicked your ass in that fight?"


Jordan owes a roomful of apologies. But it'll never happen. I know firsthand.



Before his second comeback -- with the Washington Wizards -- I was the first out with the story by a month. Jordan and his agent, David Falk, denied it, said I was crazy, practically said I was smoking something. Then, after a month of lies, Jordan admitted it was all true. I saw him in the locker room before his first game back and said, "You wanna say something to me, maybe?"



And he said, "You know you don't get no apologies in this business."


So I wouldn't hold your breath.



They called it an "acceptance" speech, but the last thing Jordan seems to be able to do is accept it's over. In fact, Jordan hinted that he might make yet another comeback at 50.



I just hope Comeback No. 3 doesn't come with a speech.


Because then I'm really screwed.

suicide_squeeze
09-17-2009, 11:24 PM
Mods....

You can lock up this thread.


Nothing else could possibly be added to improve it after Mustache Gang's post.

http://www.barbandgreg.com/images/Emoticons/applause.gifhttp://www.barbandgreg.com/images/Emoticons/applause.gifhttp://www.barbandgreg.com/images/Emoticons/applause.gifhttp://www.barbandgreg.com/images/Emoticons/applause.gifhttp://www.barbandgreg.com/images/Emoticons/applause.gifhttp://www.barbandgreg.com/images/Emoticons/applause.gifhttp://www.barbandgreg.com/images/Emoticons/applause.gifhttp://www.barbandgreg.com/images/Emoticons/applause.gifhttp://www.barbandgreg.com/images/Emoticons/applause.gifhttp://www.barbandgreg.com/images/Emoticons/applause.gifhttp://www.barbandgreg.com/images/Emoticons/applause.gifhttp://www.barbandgreg.com/images/Emoticons/applause.gifhttp://www.barbandgreg.com/images/Emoticons/applause.gifhttp://www.barbandgreg.com/images/Emoticons/applause.gif

dolphins3
10-10-2009, 02:18 AM
This is the type of speech I expected from him. That's what you get from the mind of the greatest basketball player to ever lace them up. Best part of all I got from his speech is all the old MJ haters... they hate him even more now.:D


best player to lace them up? I'm sorry but Wilt is dead and he gave his acceptance speech long ago.

33bird
10-10-2009, 08:55 AM
Yea, the article says it all. You MJ lovers need to take your blinders off. You guys are like the little league dad that views his kid as perfect, while all the other fans see the errors and strike outs each game. I think MJ was the greatest all around player ever, but he's a lot like Pete Rose, a lost soul off the court (field).

mbenga28
10-10-2009, 11:29 AM
I was reading Peter Vescey the other day and mentions Jordan did not invite Phil Jackson, how come?