Today Michael Jordan, the greatest player in the history of the game, will be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. There really is no need whatsoever for discussion on this topic--Michael Jordan is hands down the absolute greatest basketball player, and quite possibly, athlete, of all-time.Just in case some of you either ignorant, or too-young-to-know folks read this, here's a brief list of Jordan's accomplishments:
• 6 NBA Championships
• 6 NBA Finals MVP Awards
• 5 NBA MVP Awards
• 14-time NBA All-Star
• 3 All-Star game MVP Awards
• No. 1 All-time in career scoring average (let's face it, once a guy has played at least 10 seasons, career scoring average becomes far more important than who scored the most total points by staying years after their prime had passed them by and thus putting up a few more points along the way)
• NBA Rookie of the Year
• NBA Defensive Player of the Year
• 10-time All NBA First Team
• 9-time All-Defensive First Team
• 2 Slam Dunk Titles
• 2 Olympic Gold Medals
I could go on, but that should more than end any argument that anyone else even holds a candle to His Airness. Sure, I've heard the arguments for Wilt or Kareem or Russell or even Oscar Robertson, but let's be realistic, while those guys were great for their time, they would get steam-rolled by Jordan. In fact, they'd get steam-rolled by guys Jordan steam-rolled i.e. Hakeem, Ewing, Barkley, etc.
Don't get me wrong, I know those players were all great, but Jordan not only racked up the stats like Wilt or the Big O, but he also won the Championships like Russell and Kareem. Beyond that, he did it each and every time as the clear leader, best player, and go-to guy on his team-something NO ONE else can say.
As for the young guys, i.e. Kobe and LeBron--Kobe is talented and competitive, plays tough defense, has four championships and is actually a better outside shooter than MJ--but he's not MJ. Jordan NEVER lost in the Finals. Never. 6-0. Kobe is 4-2, pretty darn good, but it's not 6-0. Not only that, but three of Kobe's were won when Shaq was Finals MVP and the best player on the team. So from a winning standpoint, Kobe isn't there. And guess what, his stats aren't as good either. And LeBron has no championships. Here's how the three stack up stat-wise.
Kobe: 25.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.6 apg, 1.5 spg
LeBron: 27.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 6.7 apg, 1.8 spg
Jordan: 30.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 5.3 apg, 2.4 spg
Anyway, I'm gonna stop now. I'd love to hear your thoughts/comments, especially if you're dumb enough to disagree! I just want to wish His Airness my congratulations on a special day. The Hall of Fame is a big deal, but it will be even bigger for those who get inducted from here on out because the greatest to ever lace 'em up will be there.
No arguments here, my friend. Michael Jordan is certainly the greatest basketball player we ever have, or ever will, see. His physical skills were superior to his competitors and he amazed us with his dunks and mid-air acts, but he wasnt always the most athletic athlete on the court. However, there was no one that could even come close to matching his mental toughness. His will-to-win was what made him a true champion and NO ONE dominated their opponents mentally the way Jordan did. We see a lot of similarities in the way Tiger Woods has ruled golf and he is certainly one of the great clutch performers in the history of sports. But gaudy as even his stats are, he still falls short of the standard set by Jordan. His Airness would never, ever choke away a championship to the likes of Y.E. Yang :)
ReplyDeleteWe are lucky to have watched Jordan in his prime and I can't wait for the day that one of my kids watches a basketball game and boyishly gushes that he just saw the greatest player ever. All I will have to do is smile, sit him down on the couch and pop in the highlight reel of MJ :)