Yes, I used the picture of MJ from Space Jam. Wanna fight about it?[LINK] http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=jackson/090403
ESPN columnist Scoop Jackson raises an interesting question in his latest column: when Michael Jordan is inducted into the Basketball Hall Of Fame in September (after what will surely be a unanimous vote come Monday) should he really be inducted with other people on the same day? It's unprecedented for an athlete to ever get his own separate day for enshrinement, but Michael Jordan was also an unprecedented athlete, and arguably the greatest athlete of all time. Jackson argues that if the Hall Of Fame really cares about players and being true to transcendence of the game, it should induct Jordan alone. He writes:
That would be the fairest thing to do, for all involved. The distraction of MJ and the overall pageantry surrounding Jordan will be too great for any of the other inductees to enjoy themselves. For the others to get the attention and respect they deserve, Jordan must not be around on their day. Not in the crowd, not in the state, not even passing through. If he is (and he will be), for the others, it'll be like a bride getting upstaged on her wedding day … by her own mother. I'm not saying that Jordan is greater than the game of basketball. I'm just being honest about everything he did and how he changed, elevated, sustained, supported and practically financed an entire league. Nothing would be more appropriate. After playing most of his career in a league that paid him way less than market value (Jordan's salary, for all but two seasons of his career, was $4 million or less), it seems like the least that could be done to single him out.It's a really interesting question that probably won't be subject for much debate, because of its low likelihood of actually happening, but I'm more inclined than not to agree with Jackson. MJ did so much for the game of basketball and sports in general that his impact is immeasurable; this would be the least that the NBA could do for him in return. And plus, it's gonna straight up suck for the rest of the inductees to share their day with Jordan. They'd receive little-to-no attention, undeservedly so, simply because of the behemoth sitting beside them in Springfield on that day in September.
Anyway, what does everyone think? Would this be fair? Is there anyone else in other sport who would deserve this honor more than Jordan?
I think i agree here too. I don't know too much about what Jordan has done for basketball, I know he his own sneaker. Also what Jackson said about it sucking for other inductees is true. They will be in the shadow of Jordan. I think it's fair.
ReplyDeleteOh it's a lot more than a sneaker.. Maybe there's a chance for a compromise here. I agree that Jordan should be honored separately because of the nature of the athlete he was, and it would be the best thing to do for such a huge milestone in his career. Maybe they could have a reception or ceremony of sorts the day before they are all inducted especially for Jordan? And then he could come in the next day when the entire group gets inducted. Either way, he's going to be the focus of the group, regardless of who he will be standing next to. I think if he's grouped into the voting with this batch of players, then it only makes sense that he gets inducted with them, but someone special needs to be done for him. Personally, I think that having a ceremony for him would respect the other players, and give him the time he deserves.
ReplyDeleteI think the decision is less about being FOR jordan, and more about being FOR the other inductees. I mean that.would.suck. NO ONE is on his level when it comes to basketball, or really being an athlete. However, i would liken his level of success both personally and for basketball to Tiger and what he has done with the game of golf. I mean when Tiger is playing, every other player is virtually ignored. I think with MJ, those others should get their own day so it is special. If not, no one will even notice them
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