Heartfelt, honest, competitive, and hopeful. A great speech by MJ.
Wonderful speech from John Stockton, too.
You’re reading Signal v. Noise, a publication about the web by Basecamp since 1999. Happy !
Heartfelt, honest, competitive, and hopeful. A great speech by MJ.
Wonderful speech from John Stockton, too.
Jamie Tibbetts
on 12 Sep 09Both speeches were great.
I just watched about 20 minutes of straight MJ highlights online. Bulls fans will never get to relive days like that. Simply the best ever.
Brad W
on 12 Sep 09Thanks for posting. I used to play and watch the game quite a bit. Early 90’s was probably the last time I really watched. Out of all the startup-oriented stuff I’ve been perusing, this has actually been the most inspiring thing in recent history.
Taylor Brooks
on 12 Sep 09Why are we celebrating Jordan’s speech? He got up and talked about himself and his competitive nature for 20 minutes. So damn narcissistic…
Contrast his speech to David Robinson’s. Robinson isn’t half the player Jordan was, but he was genuine and he communicated with humility.
gary
on 12 Sep 09THIS.. never gets old simply the best there is.. this year’s Hall of Fame batch is special, indeed
Steven Loi
on 12 Sep 09I think MJ is the best. But, I believe his speech was horrible at best. Honest. But, horrible.
While everyone was there to celebrate his accomplishments, he chose to every opportunity to say how wrong each person was throughout his career. While some of the stories shined light to how driven he was to be the best and prove them wrong, it was like beating a dead horse. I felt there was more that he could have said that showed greater appreciation for the sport of basketball and his teammates through examples, not crunching it in at the very end, awkwardly.
Jim Jeffers
on 12 Sep 09@taylor and @steven I appreciate your viewpoints. At first those thoughts crept into the back of my mind as I watched it. At times it felt downright awkward as he singled people out. But I disagree with you about the speech. I think this speech is absolutely great.
Jordan’s speech is very real and it clearly depicts what the product of his success is, his indefinite determination. The determination is so great that he’ll devote his finest hour expressing it to all of us who care to watch.
Perhaps you would have seen something more amiable from a great leader but Jordan is not a leader. He’s a player. So the self-importance, the determination, the drive for personal victory. It’s all there inside of him and he has no shame in expressing it.
It doesn’t really rub me the right way. If I were to meet anyone who behaved like this I wouldn’t necessarily like them. But if I was competing against them in something I’d best be damned worried. This speech is about winning. Winning isn’t pretty in competitive sports. Someone always loses.
JF
on 12 Sep 09Jim: That’s how I feel too and that’s why I think it was a great speech. It was authentic Michael Jordan and as real as it gets. To me that makes it a great speech.
His game was driven by competition and you can see that continues to drive him. You get the feeling that he would have challenged anyone in that room to a game of one-on-one right there. He just wants to compete (and then win). That speech was about winning, pure winning. To him it is everything and it’s great to see someone be real about it and live it. No excuses, no shame.
Robinson’s speech was also great because it was pure David Robinson. But if Robinson said what MJ said, and MJ said what Robinson said, they would have been bad speeches. They wouldn’t have been real speeches.
Jonathan Herron
on 12 Sep 09Great speech – - His Airness is the best!
Rick
on 12 Sep 09Jordan was the greatest, but least gracious, winner of all time. 10 years later, that remains true!
(Please remove your Chicago goggles)
alan t.
on 12 Sep 09His speech was classless. Point blank.
I mean, let’s cut all the ridiculous garbage about it being “authentic” and “real.” By that logic, whenever Bobby Knight gives a speech whenever he is inducted into something, he should be letting loose F-bombs like a German squadron bombing the bejesus out of London. Nothing would be more authentic and real.
There is a time and a place for everything. Jordan showed what made him so great on the court, and showed what makes him such a royal schmuck off of it. What an ass.
alan t.
on 12 Sep 09Oh, and speaking of being a royal schmuck off the court, I believe that was the first time in the history of civilization that any Hall of Fame speech anywhere, I don’t care if it’s the Basketball Hall of Fame or the Chinese Checkers Hall of Fame or the Rock, Paper & Scissors Hall of Fame or the Soviet Communist Hall of Fame, actually included the word “shit.” Yep, that’s “authentic” and “real” all right.
JF
on 12 Sep 09Alan: I’d love to see Bobby Knight let loose in a speech. Count me in.
That said, anger (which Knight often showed) is definitely less satisfying to watch than someone who’s just obsessed with competition and winning.
Anonymous Coward
on 12 Sep 09Knight is obsessed with competition and winning, too. Jordan’s underlying obsession with competition and winning is derived from bitterness and anger. Jordan and Knight are two sides of the same coin.
I would love to see Obama stand in front of Congress and in front of the American people and in front of the world and say, “Osama bin Laden is a towel-headed faggot cocksucker who can blow me,” but that wouldn’t make it right, would it? Jordan’s speech was a disgrace.
Gebadia Smith
on 12 Sep 09Breaks your heart to know you will never get to see him play again… Say what you want about Kobe but Jordan had more flair…
travis
on 12 Sep 09Michael Jordan embarrassed himself last night. Talk about a jackass. During an acceptance speech you’re supposed to thank people for helping you along the way…Not throw people under the bus who might have hurt your feelings 30 years ago. Way to go MJ…to bad for you delivering an acceptance speech you had years to work on is harder than hitting a jump shot over Bryon Russell. I hated the Bulls and MJ but at least I always respected him and what he had accomplished. Now he’s just a overhyped piece of crap.
Ab G
on 12 Sep 09I was simply flabergasted. To my kids “I would hate to be you,” wow… To my mom “she still nags me,” wow. Isaiah and Magic are just as jerky but they are much better at it. Man, after hearing all the heartfelt comments from the other losers, cause I guess Jordan is the world’s only winner, it was some kind of let down. By the way, LOVED to watch Jordan play. What a colossal jerk though. Sorry, but “winning time” is over for Jordan. Did anyone notice, they still play games in the NBA. Carolina is still winning. My son is 7. He likes LeBron and Kobe. Jordan is history. I know he hates it. God Bless him. He is a very unhappy man.
Big Les
on 12 Sep 09When someone is acknowledged as THE GREATEST at anything, I’d much rather hear what got them there than to hear who helped them get there. Ultimately, all his teammates and coaches, friends and family, touched many others, none of whom rose to the heights MJ did, so I’m glad to hear him honestly open up about the inner demons that drove him. Like he said, we knew damn near everything about him already, so some self-exposing openness was awesome! I hope he does play at 50 (just kidding)!
Big Les
on 12 Sep 09In addendum, teams are always looking for, and posting, what they call BULLETIN BOARD fodder – something someone has said to bad mouth them, to inspire them to victory. This is no different, just one man’s take on what drove him to work so hard to be where he ended up – greatest ever!
alan t.
on 12 Sep 09Big Les, what in the world does what inspired him to victory have to do with a HALL OF FAME speech? You talk that kind of smack in an interview for Esquire Magazine. You don’t do it a freakin’ Hall of Fame induction ceremony. You stand up, you say all the right things, you’re gracious whether you mean it or not, and then you sit down. A classless, clueless, bitter angry man.
And how would you like to be his kid? Wow. The Hall of Fame in basketball, the Hall of Turds as a father. Talk about inspiring them to have a lifetime of self-confidence. At the very least, if they aren’t all depressed alcoholics and/or drug addicts within the next 10 years, that would be a surprise.
Anonymous Coward
on 12 Sep 09And how would you like to be his kid?
I’m sure his kids love and respect him very much. There’s your answer.
Timmy
on 12 Sep 09Jordan’s speech was about as classy and eloquent as his baseball swing.
TonyP
on 12 Sep 09OMG, what a jerk. It is always about him, and such a whinner too, taking pot shots at everyone from his opponents to his opponents coaches. Stuff that happened long ago. Little digs that generated laughs, but read between the lines folks, this was his forum to get back at everyone that dissed him….all veiled as motivation for himself….geez. And I loved him at one time…
I rest my case: Jordan’s night to remember turns petty
Big Les
on 12 Sep 09I find it interesting how many people, who will OBVIOUSLY NEVER end up in a hall of fame in any walk of life, believe that they know how someone else is supposed to accept an award and honor for their life’s work. Perhaps it’s that ‘herd mentality’ of kowtowing and doing what everyone else would do that holds most of you back. I myself am a Grammy-nominated jazz artist (for my very 1st cd), so I’m not just talking smack. I’ve encountered way too many people in my field who are nothing more than mediocre copies of other, truly great artists, but have no clue as to how to do their own thing, nor know how to find anything inside of themselves to make their own mark.
As I said, I was thankful for MJ’s insights, and what better forum than when you KNOW everyone is listening. He doesn’t, nor does anyone else who’s put in the work, owe the world anything more than he gave us – greatness on the court, and a verbal middle finger to those who hated him. The flowery, b.s. acceptance speeches are sooooo tired and come across as not genuine at all.
Jordan’s kids will do well, I’m sure, because regardless of what they’ve decided to do (his son quitting basketball, for example), he’s supportive and encouraging.
To all the Negative Nellies – once you get there, show us all how it should be done. I won’t hold my breath waiting for your speeches to come, though. ;-)
TommyT
on 12 Sep 09Jordan’s speech was crap!!!! He used this opportunity to thrash all his naysayers instead of thanking the people that truly meant something in life. This was a time for him to shine one last time and he used it to look like a jackass!
TommyT
on 12 Sep 09Hey Big Les….did you help jordan with his speech??? Because you sound just like him!!! Chances are nobody in this forum will ever make a acceptance speech…..except you, because you are a “grammy nominated jazz musician” and we all must be “crap”. The fact is he showed little respect for his peers and the quality of his speech was classless. You are right in the fact he has the right to say whatever he wants. But the way he used the speech as a platform to tear into everyone shows no class. And I have have lost all respect for him!
Whats right
on 12 Sep 09There is a time and place for everything, and Jordan had nothing to prove, he was, is known for one of the greatest players to ever step foot on the court. I grew up on Jordan, loved Jordan, bought his shoes, went to his games, watched his games on t.v…........so look at it from this point BIG LES….........What a proud moment for his kids to watch his Dad “lead by example” and lay the ground work for their future…....leading by example…...but his ego was too big, so big, even his kids don’t come first in his life as they should. I’m still an MJ fan, just extremely disappointed, and embarrassed as a fan that grew up on him from his very first day in the NBA. And oh Big Les — when you do your grammy acceptance speech, make sure you don’t thank everyone who helped you get to where you are at and slam ALL THE WANNA BE’s…..that will make you feel great!
Whats right
on 12 Sep 09AND who gives a crap about the “inner demons” that drove him?!!? And we didn’t know everything about him…only what the media told us…...or what they didn’t…....why did he go play baseball and hide for two years??? hmmmm??? gambling problems?? His father’s murder??? Maybe the two are tied together….......waited til things blew over….......if he wants to open up, tell us the true stories behind all that crap..that would of been humbling aye?
alan t.
on 12 Sep 09Big Les’ acceptance speech: “And I want to thank Louie Armstrong, who I beat the royal crap out of back when we were in trumpet school, and I want to thank Duke Ellington, who thought he was the music king and Mr. Big at trombone until I taught him how to really suck on a musical instrument. The music teacher kept me out of the band, and I showed them all. I am an albino honky, and yet I beat the crap out of all them black jazz players, who thought they were the best and thought they were better than me. They all drove me to be the best. I am a winner. I am the winner. They tried to freeze me out. Not a chance. I beat them all. Thank you, and good night.”
Jamie Tibbetts
on 12 Sep 09I’m sorry, did everyone forget we’re talking about Michael Jordan here? When was Jordan ever known to be anything other than a competitive juggernaut who used any slight, be it real or imagined, to fuel him to be the most dominant player ever.
If he had given a safe, generic, ingratiating speech, it would have been ridiculous and a total lie. If he had talked about how he loved his kids and how they were his inspiration on the court, his kids probably would have looked at each other incredulously and asked “Who the hell is this guy? and what happened to our real dad?”
Instead, he talked about what made him become the greatest. Competition was his driving force, so he talked about all the competitors that fired him up enough to take his game to yet another level. The only person he really dissed was Jerry Krause, and I guarantee that even today, if you announced that man’s name at the United Center, you’d hear deafening “boo’s.”
So for all you guys who want a fake, safe, “classy” speech from a dominant sports icon, just wait for Tiger’s Hall of Fame speech. I’m falling asleep just thinking about it.
Dan
on 12 Sep 09It seemed to me like Jordan was just up there telling stories and having fun—it almost had the feel of a roast.
Anonymous Coward
on 12 Sep 09Tibbetts, just about EVERY acceptance speech is ridiculous and a total lie. So what’s your point?
You’re probably the type of guy that goes to a wedding, gets on the microphone at the reception to hold a toast, and then says the bride is ugly and the groom could have done much better. Because it’s true.
appreciative
on 12 Sep 09Who cares if you like it or don’t. Fact of the matter is…that’s not you. You did not lead his life or accomplish as much as he has in that realm. Who are you to judge. He had to overcome alot during his career, way more than we even know. just don’t judge – appreciate people for who they are and appreciate the fact we got to witness his amazing feats.
Anonymous Coward
on 12 Sep 09Who am I to judge a speech at a public function where grace and humility is supposed to be an obvious given, like holding a door open for the person behind me when walking into a store? I’m a guy judging a speech, that’s who I am.
jimmmy
on 12 Sep 09That was an excellent speach. Jordan is the greatest athelete of all time. He is not just basketball but he is what compition is all about. He is such an insperation to everyone. I see some people are bashing him and I dont understand why. I wish there were more people like Jordan.
Jamie Tibbetts
on 12 Sep 09I just watched the whole speech again. It was even better the second time. There’s nothing in that speech to hate. It’s absolutely full of gracious comments about friends, family, coaches, and fellow players, with a little bit of good-natured ribbing thrown in. Watch it again, and pay attention to the gratitude. You’ll be surprised at how much there is.
Happy
on 12 Sep 09Jordan made it clear to all the college and teen kids watching that you just need think you’re all the shit and then the world should then owe you. Adopt that attitude toward life, most of them will turn out to be sorely disappointed. I enjoyed MJ as a player. I could have done without spending 20 watching that speech waiting to see what people thought was so great.
brett
on 13 Sep 09Worst speech ever. Jordan is possibly one of the most conceded professional athletes ever. Instead of making the night special, he reiterated just how much of a classless jerk he truly is. One of his comments could not be more true though. When he told his kids he felt bad for them I couldn’t have agreed more with him. I feel sorry that his kids having a father as bitter as him. this article sums up the worst induction speech ever.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-jordanhall091209&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
Anonymous Coward
on 13 Sep 09I guarantee that every single person here who thought the speech was appropriate is under the age of 30. Because only a person who is under 30, or a person who is otherwise a complete sociopath, would be this clueless as to the right and wrong way a person is supposed to conduct himself.
brett
on 13 Sep 09Couldn’t agree with Anonymous Coward more.
EMTP
on 13 Sep 09TRAVIS FUNNY THING, I FOUND SOMETHING STRIKINGLY FAMILIAR TO YOUR POST ON SEPT 12 OVER HERE… http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/fullcourtpress/2009/09/michael-jordans-hall-of-fame-speech.html
Posted by: Noah Harpham | September 12, 2009 at 12:10 PM
Michael Jordan embarrassed himself last night. Talk about a jackass. During an acceptance speech you’re supposed to thank people for helping you along the way…Not throw people under the bus who might have hurt your feelings. Way to go MJ…to bad for you delivering an acceptance speech you had years to work on is harder than hitting a jump shot over Bryon Russell. I hated the Bulls and MJ but at least I always respected him and what he had accomplished. Now he’s just a overhyped piece of crap.
Jonesy
on 13 Sep 09I’m a huge North Carolina fan and have been since the early 80’s. I also believe Michael Jordan is the greatest player to ever play the game but his speech last night was nothing short of appalling. He embarrassed himself and shamed the sport with his arrogance and complete lack of humility and grace in accepting his award. It was like he took the podium and tried to settle every old score and ridicule anyone who stood in his way throughout the years. He might as well have just stood up and beat his chest for 20 minutes. (Oh wait, that’s exactly what he did.)
No class and completely ridiculous. I lost all respect for him.
Sad that thousands of young kids will watch that and think that the behavior he exhibited is behavior that should be emulated.
Taylor Brooks
on 13 Sep 09Further, why did he complain about how much tickets were? He was arguably the richest person there…seeing how his Nike line hit $1 billion in sales.
Gino
on 13 Sep 09Seriously, a great speech from the heart, honestly didn’t feel he hurt anyones feeling- the only thing I thought was odd was complaining about the $1000 ticket price he complained about- other then that I say it was a very compelling speech- and I listened to it 3x to be sure I was right. MJ to the hoop, again… nice job Mike.
doog
on 13 Sep 09A speech about himself…lacked recognition of those who helped him achieve the success he obtained over the years…
madz
on 13 Sep 09“Never say never, because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion.” – Michael Jordan
I just so love him.
Timmy
on 13 Sep 09Jimmmy, he may be the best basketball player of all time, but Jordan’s .202 batting average and 11 errors with the elite Birmingham Barons will not help your case for “greatest athlete of all time”. Similar to saying Big Les (who will be playing outside the Borders at Washington and Main this Monday) is the greatest jazz musician of all time.
Austin J
on 13 Sep 09Awesome speech. He pointed out some people and called them out on opinions he disagreed with, but it was all done in humor, and, in fact, gratitude. He said thank you for that motivation. I laughed the whole time. As, i think, most of the people he talked about did. He said at the beginning that he wanted to tell us stuff we didn’t know about him. He did. Those stories were funny, not pointed. It’s too bad people are STILL biased against him because they had uninformed opinions about him and his style of play from the nineties. He’s the greatest ever. Period.
Cutrano
on 13 Sep 09Allen T. that is the funniest post I’ve ever seen. I’m in tears and can’t stop laughing. This couldn’t have summed things up any better. Although, Michael tried to kind of give it up, he just couldn’t. All those accolades and he’s still unsatisfied. For all that people that think that this was a great speech and think this was Jordan keeping it real. I got news for you. The real reality is that Michael Jordan was a great basketball player, not a great person. If this was a basketball game , he would of won. It wasn’t, it was test of his humility, he lost. Michael Jordan traded his reputation as a person for his reputation as a basketball player. For all the lovers out there, I just want to know one thing. Do you want your kids to grow up to be like Mike the person?
Dude
on 13 Sep 09Why do any of us care. He is a basketball player. Not much of any accomplishment there. Do you people realize you are in heated debate over a basketball player. A guy who can shoot a ball through a hoop is not important to any of you when it comes down to it.
Happy
on 13 Sep 09Sorry, Jason, but it’s no fun at all to watch someone who is just obsessed with competition and winning. My kids know other kids like that. I grew up with kids like that. Those kids that turn everything into a competition are not well liked nor well prepared for life outside of the playground short of continuing their bullying approach to life, love, and living.
Anre1969
on 13 Sep 09He prefaced his speech by saying he was gonna talk about what people don’t know about him, which is how he became so competitive and how he was able to turn challenges and obstacles into “wood” to keep that competitive fire burning. And then he went on to explain just that in his speech. I think his comment about the $1k ticket price was his attempt at humor (so he’s not a comedian, big deal!). Just because we expect every speech to be a fluff piece about thanking people, doesn’t mean it has to be that. Maybe we need to manage our expectations about speeches better, and listen with an open mind, instead of preconceived idea about what we want to hear.
Onur
on 13 Sep 09Just amazing…
JAV
on 13 Sep 09I believe MJ was perhaps the greatest of all time. However he showed everyone what a jerk he has become!!! Notice we didn’t see anything mentioned in his highlight film on how he gives back to the community. Nope, he’s too busy being Michael…the jerk!!! My hat is off to the other GRACIOUS inductees, especially David Robinson. Ther’s a man who took care of business, took care of and kept his family together and really gave his children a dad to be proud of! He continues to give back while MJ continues to feed his ego.
Anonymous Coward
on 13 Sep 09I’m with Michael Wilbon on this one. Washington Post.
Lame Speech
on 13 Sep 09MJ’s speech was terrible. I was really disappointed with how he handled himself and made an ass out of himself. 3/4 of the way thru the speech I turned to my mom who was watching it and I said “I am really bummed by this speech. I’ve heard MJ give other speeches and they were very good.” Then I went in the kitchen and listened to the speech from there while I did stuff. Even my mom was like wow what a self focused uninspired speech.
The whole thing about MJ being great and what not is true and that is on the basketball court only. Its not in baseball, not on the golf course, not when he takes a crap or buys a car; its on the basketball court only.
Why bring his old hi school teammate over that made the team over MJ? Show the guy up that he’s making burgers while MJ is in the hall of fame? So who is the better athlete now attitude is a bit petty and makes him look like a jerk.
Every person inducted that night was/is competitive…if they weren’t they wouldn’t have been in the NBA to begin with. Every single one of them had run ins with admins,other players, coaches; especially C. Vivian Stringer. Talk about someone who could have gotten up there and had a 10hr bitch fest about being black and a woman trying to become a head coach. She could have easily made MJ look like a punk, lol without him punking himself with his own speech.
I would have respected him more if he had just gotten up there cried a sec, took the award and said “tyvm! I have looked forward to this and consider it a great honor to be enshrined with all these other great players. I am to emotional to say anything else. TY again gnight.”
Again go search out older MJ speeches and see how good they are and different. I have watched him play since he was a rookie and have listened to him talk over the years. Why he changed his tune that night I have no idea, I was so looking forward to him talk; again cause I’ve heard him before. I ended up being extremely disappointed.
But I was damn well inspired by the other people enshrined; even brought to tears by Vivian.
Angel
on 13 Sep 09I was embarrassed for him, his family, his past teammates and coaches, friends, and anyone else who has touched his life. And I’m from Chicago and have been a huge Michael Jordan fan for years. My 23 year old son (Michael!) grew up watching M.J. As a family we spent many an hour watching the games, going to the games, and celebrating the championhips together. M.J. was my son’s hero and his inspiration. During that time period my son had several surguries. Michael Jordan actually inspired and motivated him in his rehab and recovery each time. My son had to work when the induction ceremony was to be on, so he asked me to tape it so that we could watch it together as we had watched Michael Jordan together so many times before. When it was all over I found myself apologizing to my son for what he saw. It broke my heart to watch as his idol fell from grace in front of him. S still believe Michael Jordan is still the best basketball player of all time. I just don’t know that I’d want other kids to want to “Be like Mike” anymore
Brade
on 13 Sep 09I think a lot of people have misunderstood Jordan’s speech. It simply is not deserving of the indignation. All sides would have to agree it was absolutely riveting—not a boring moment to be found. He set it up for us though. He revealed to us the source of his intense competitive fire. How can anyone not appreciate this? This speech was solid gold for anyone looking for motivation, no matter what their job. If you feel like you deserve a chance and have something to prove, don’t waste time complaining about it (which is what most of us do). Instead let the 2nd guessers fuel you to accomplish your goals. MJ’s speech was an A+.
But even his came a bit short of being the best of the night. In my opinion, Vivian Stringer delivered an astounding speech that I’ll never forget. I don’t watch much women’s basketball, but she gained my utmost respect on this night…
alan t.
on 13 Sep 09Brade, that’s why God created “The Jerry Springer Show.” We’d all love to publicly smash somebody over the head with a chair. But in the real civilized world, the civilized don’t. His zillion-dollar designer suit does not make him any different than the lowlifes smashing chairs over people’s heads.
If you want to talk trash, talk trash on the court. If you want to motivate people, then go on a public speaking tour and generically talk about ways to pump yourself up.
But calling out specific individuals at a formal engagement? You’ve gotta be kidding me. I mean, some of you people just don’t “get it.” It would have been more appropriate if Justin Timberlake walked up on stage, ripped open Jordan’s jacket pocket, and Jordan whipped out his tit with a silver star on his nipple.
jakem.olsen
on 13 Sep 09Jordan, Jordan, Jordan,
That’s all we talked about. We played it, lived it, breathed it. Basketball was our religion and Jordan was our High Priest.
My B-ball buddies and I used to joke (not joke really) that Jordan was the best at every position. If you had to pick a piont guard first, it would be Jordan. If you had to pick a center first, it would be Jordan etc. He was just the best. Period.
But he made a mistake the other night. We didn’t want to know more about him, we wanted to know more about the people that helped him along the way.
All he talked about were the people who inspired him to be great by insulting him. (even Dean Smith insulted him, for christ’s sake!)
He couldn’t really THANK anyone. They were just pieces in his puzzle. For all of you who are blind to his arrogance, go back and look at the frozen faces in the crowd. They know they are on TV, so they are smiling, but the smiles are almost ready to crack. Jordan is making them work harder to smile than he ever made them work to guard him.
Musicians, actors, athletes, star sales people (my world). It’s great to compete, to win, to be the best. but there will always be the next…. That is the beauty and mystery of life. This mystery should keep us all humble.
There is a time and place for everything. When we are on the court it is life and death if played correctly. I have a twin brother. We have played thousands of one on one ‘death matches’. We have not spoken for days after some of them. But I thank him for making me better. I don’t tell him I’m a better person becuase he thought he was better than I was.
Jordan was the High Priest. But he wasn’t the God of Basketball. Every player, from the cage in downtown Manhatten to the hoosiers in Indiana are the Gods of the game.
We all love the game. We love what the game has given us and taught us about ourselves. Jordan, as our (past) High Priest had a chance to honor the game and the rest of us (even the best of the best) who wanted to share our love for the game (and for him) with our hero.
Jordan’s speech shows that he is frustrated becuase he is now the past. He was, he was, he was the High Priest, but he hasn’t’ accepted the fact that the game is God and it will go on without him.
Happy
on 13 Sep 09Brade, You miss the point of those disappointed by his speech. If MJ truly had the key to accomplishing goals then he has plenty of opportunities to share it in a motivating way, and you think he could follow his own advice and succeed at baseball, marriage, business, brotherhood, or even his current job. MJ was a great basketball player. MJ’s not a great motivator nor example for future generations that some had hoped he would be.
David
on 13 Sep 09People have talked about the Jordan speech but how about the Stockton speech? He and David Robinson showed it was possible to rise to the level of greatness without the sacrifices of personal relationships.
My take on it was that as a teenager I used to want to be like Michael Jordan but as an adult now I can see that I want to be like John Stockton or David Robinson.
I don’t think Michael could have been as good as he was without that competitive fire but now that it’s in the open for us, is the personal takeaway more about how some kind of winning obsessions aren’t worth the cost?
Crabby
on 13 Sep 09What personal relationships did Michael hurt with his speech? I saw the people he was ribbing just laugh along. They’re all buddies and grown men – they can take it. It’s lockerroom fun all this ribbing and roasting. Krause comment was the only one that came off a little out of place. The others were just good natured fun.
Great Fan
on 14 Sep 09I think MJ was drinking and should have said thank you and sat down like he said he was thinking of doing. There was no cause for many of his commments and I hope he is feeling the rath of his mother today.
Reality Bites
on 14 Sep 09Wow, some people really don’t get humor, or human nature at all. It’s just baffling to me how anyone could NOT enjoy the speech – it was a brilliant reverse-roast which showed how a winner uses resistance to his advantage.
Thanks for sharing!
alexthai
on 14 Sep 09my pham oriflame mua ban viec lam tuyen dung
alexxxxxx
on 14 Sep 09viec lam tuyen dung, tim viec lam ban thoi gian sinh vien
Benjy
on 14 Sep 09I idolized MJ more than any athlete growing up. I loved watching him play and thought that, for the most part, he carried himself with class and dignity. But This speech was a trainwreck, as he rambled on and on about everybody who spited him along the way. One anecdote about persevering and overcoming doubters would have been enough. But the stories about his college teammates, Byron Russell, Jerry Krause, etc. was petty, silly and below somebody of his accomplishments.
Ram
on 14 Sep 09The reason that qualifies as a great speech is because great speeches reveal something of the speech giver. And that speech was 100% true to the man making it. In one speech, we found out an incredible amount about someone who has in the past famously volunteered nothing of himself publicly. MJ did exactly the same thing everyone else who got up to the podium did. He spoke extensively about how he was motivated by his family, friends, coaches, team mates, opponents. But, he did it in a way that showed us that (1) MJ is not motivated by the same things most other people are, (2) he could care less about the negative impact his actions have on others, and (3) most of us would actually probably not like to be “like Mike” (definitely not want to be around him). He was a extremely talented, hyper-competitive narcissist as a player who used rage as his main motivation to get up for the game. Would it have been nice if “the greatest ever” had been more in the mold of “everyday superstars” like a Robinson or a Stockton. Sure. But apparently he’s not. So, if he had delivered one of their speeches, it’d have been false, packaged, mediocre and ultimately, forgettable. Instead, we got something better and rarer, a view at the unvarnished MJ, removed from corporate PR handlers, and we glimpsed a perfect example of a man who channeled sociopathic impulses that would have been destructive to those with lesser talent in order to achieve an unparalleled level of success. The real surprise to me was that he is actually so damned FUNNY!
nickrohm
on 14 Sep 09Jordans speech was downright awful. He is the most recognized player in the world and he has NO class. Why is a billionaire complaining about buying $1000 tickets? Why would he tell his kids “he felt sorry for them” and “wouldn’t want to be them”? Stockton gave so much praise and glory to his wife and kids and Jordan brings his 25 year old g/f in WITH his wife present and sits her in the seat next to his son. What kind of example is he setting. Don’t get me wrong, MJ used to be my idol. I aspired to play a percent of the way he played. However, after that speech he gave, I have zero respect for him anymore. I totally understand competitive nature but to fly your highschool rival of 20 years into the event just to berate him seems like a waste of $1000 to me.
russell
on 15 Sep 09while i dont necessarily agree with the way he handled the whole thing, i believe he may have done it because he saw it as his last and best chance to publicly lash out at the verry ppl he felt wronged him in the past
Montanna Fan
on 15 Sep 09No matter what Jordon accomplished on the court…. the game is still bigger than him! I will take Joe Montanna any day over Jordan. He should take a lesson from Montanna on what it means to credit the others around you and not get so caught up in loving yourself. Montanna was the greatest clutch quaterback when it counted…. but you would never know it if you asked him about it!!!
Virgile Laramy
on 15 Sep 09I listened to the speech, then got curious about the comments…It is fascinating to see the amount of judgements on MJ speech, the diversity of views of what should have been the right attitude.
Beyond the speech, there is the question about what an inductee say during his speech. What makes a “good” speech, where good is yet to be defined ?
Personally I found the speech adequate. MJ gave us a view of what motivated him, and helped him to realize himself through the game of Basketball. Expecting to him to thank and deliver series of accolade might be a valid expectation, but in the end of the day, it is your expecatation, not his.
In the end I am happy that during my lifetime I could see such a great player and a great person simply put, who remained true to himself regardless of what people expected him to be.
The comparison or valuation against other Hall of Famers tell more about ourselves really…
Jeremy
on 15 Sep 09People need to stop hating…....let the guy express himself man. We will never know what he had to endure being who he is…....so let him be. Do not judge him by your own expectations. Let the man be…..
Dr. J
on 15 Sep 09Dr. Montanna is such a Montanna fan that he misspelled Montana three times.
Dr. J
on 15 Sep 09I’m sorry, 4 times.
Dr. J
on 15 Sep 09Anyone that disliked Jordan’s speech is a non-athlete. The reason you can’t understand is because you are content sitting on your couch with 2 dozen wings and a six-pack of Budweiser with ranch dressing shmeared all over your face. First of all, besides the comment to his kids, it wasn’t that bad. He explained what and who drove him to be the greatest. He didn’t disrespect anyone, he just pointed out times in his life that motivated him to outwork everyone else. Instead of hating, you should take a lesson. Jordan doesn’t owe anyone anything. He earned everything he has. I know if I would have paid $1,000 to get in there, I would have much rather listened to that than a bunch of insincere crap.
Mike Lopez
on 15 Sep 09I certainly learned a lot about things I didn’t know about MJ. His speech was real and great. All you have to do is listen. I listened to MJ’s speech 3x and enjoyed it every time. There’s nothing wrong with his speech, in fact it was Great! For those who don’t like the speech, just listen and open your minds…... But you can’t simply please everybody….. MJ is still the greatest!!!
Mike Lopez
on 15 Sep 09After MJ’s Acceptance Speech, it proved that His Airness is also Human like everyone of us…. And being human like him, we can become achievers as well…... I love the speech…. MJ is the greatest…....
JO
on 15 Sep 09I love MJ as a player. But, man!!! This speech was just plain petty and classless. He won everything there is to win, yet he still couldn’t let go of …. Byron Russel and JVG???
Give it a rest, MJ!!
Peter Roa
on 16 Sep 09After all the Accolades and Criticisms…. At the end of the day, Michael Jordan will still be Michael Jordan…. Simply the Best Player who ever played the game of Basketball….. At least we know he is still human….
Malcolm
on 16 Sep 09If it was not Michael Jordan, then it was an awful speech…... That kind of speech can only be spoken by Michael Jordan, only him has the right to say so…. It was a great revelation for a great man… I like MJ’s sense of humor… Only immature persons would dislike the speech… But I am matured enough to look at it positively…..
Brian
on 16 Sep 09I always felt sorry for Jordan’s teammates when he was playing. If they won it was only because of Michael. If they lost it was their fault. When they won championships everybody (especially Michael) acted as if he had been the only one on the court. His speech reiterated that mentality. Me, me, me. You all need to bow down to my greatness for I was the best and don’t you forget it. All of the other inductees showed class. Michael felt that acting like them wasn’t necessary. Be like Mike? Yeah right. I say be like David.
Tim Rice
on 16 Sep 09I thought Jordan’s speech seemed hollow. He reminisced for most of it and then spoke of how he had never found fullfillment in anything the way he had in basketball. He seems a bit lost and empty now that he can no longer play at that level and on the big stage where he used to thrive. I need to watch Stockton’s speech, but I would say there was a huge contrast between Jordan’s speech and David Robinson’s.
Mark
on 16 Sep 09This speech told a great story. As an athlete I still reminisce on the not just about the games, but the relationships and little moments that make it special.
Not because it adds value to the world, or for recognition, but because I enjoy it. It’s ego driven, but everything is, one way or another. Even little self righteous posts on SVN :)
Dayna
on 17 Sep 09Breathtaking genius avatar that MJ was, if he can’t break free of his obsession with vanquishing everyone in the room, it will eat him alive. While I admired his closing remarks about fear being just another illusion, I wish he’d been able to soar in the speech.
Am also curious why SVN would post 2 of the 3 Hall of Famers’ speeches, omitting the one by David Robinson which also met the stated criteria of heartfelt, honest, competitive and hopeful. It was also gracious, humble, inspiring and genuinely reflective of Robinson’s intelligence and sterling character. Would SVN omit it because of the religious beliefs Robinson expressed, or was someone at the fridge when he spoke?
Dayna
on 17 Sep 09Breathtaking genius avatar that MJ was, if he can’t break free of his obsession with vanquishing everyone in the room, it will eat him alive. While I admired his closing remarks about fear being just another illusion, I wish he’d been able to soar in the speech.
Am also curious why SVN would post 2 of the 3 players’ speeches, omitting the one by David Robinson which also met the stated criteria of heartfelt, honest, competitive and hopeful. It was also gracious, humble, inspiring and genuinely reflective of Robinson’s intelligence and sterling character. Would SVN omit it because of the religious beliefs Robinson expressed, or was someone at the fridge when he spoke?
snk382
on 17 Sep 09I don’t get the criticism here…
That was an honest and actually quite humble speech. He set out to present the moments in his career that had inspired his competitiveness, and he did it. I didn’t think he was being mean-spirited about it, either. In some cases, he really hesitated to call someone out and did it as nicely as he could.
Great speech.
Leonard
on 18 Sep 09Achievers will understand and appreciate MJ’s speech…. The Losers will always say it’s a horrible speech….. Tsk..Tsk..Tsk…
At least we can see in this forum who the Losers are…...
So what are you? An Achiever or a Loser? It will depend on your comments…...
This discussion is closed.