Michael Jordan is a Hate-filled Man

[shadowgrin]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/ ... /index.htm

For years the NBA Hall of Famer has claimed that his high school coach underestimated his talent as a sophomore. Clifton (Pop) Herring, whose life has been a struggle since then, tells a different story

"They criticized me for cutting Michael Jordan," he says. "Now, when, if you ever attempt to play any type of athletics, remember this small new hint of advice. New conversation of advice. If—when I was comin' up playin' ball, when you get cut, you are cut predominantly. Whatever is on each side. Then you do not even play either level, jayvee or varsity. Michael—well, Mike—Jordan was placed on the junior varsity level. Uh-huh? He was placed on the junior varsity level. He wasn't cut away from the game that made him."

The decision to leave Jordan on jayvee as a sophomore was not an oversight. Herring and his assistants knew Jordan would ride the bench on varsity, so they put him on jayvee, and it worked out perfectly. When he got to varsity, he was ready to lead the team. Pop gave Mike his time but made him earn everything else.

Quite a good read to dispel all the BS that Jordan has been spewing out all these years.

[[Q]]

the best example of this was him calling out Bryon Russell in his HOF speech

[Nick]

Jordan probably felt that he could lead the varsity team, which is probably where his beef is.

Interesting insight nonetheless.

[Andrew]

Quite a good read to dispel all the BS that Jordan has been spewing out all these years.

It's a pretty good read though it does ramble on in parts, kind of like he's trying to be Hunter S. Thompson without the drugs and coming up a little short.

It's not a revelation that Michael Jordan didn't make the cut for varsity but was on the jayvee squad. That's long been told as part of the story, though the story is often simplified to him being cut from the team and being determined to get better and make the team. Pop's assertion that "when you get cut, you are cut predominantly. Whatever is on each side. Then you do not even play either level, jayvee or varsity"...well, that's just splitting hairs. Didn't make the cut for the team, got cut from the varsity team but made jayvee...in the end, it's the same story. He didn't make varsity, it motivated him.

His introduction of Pop at his jersey retirement ceremony was a bit crass, but to suggest it was malicious is making an assumption. He also mentioned how the guy helped him out and "He knew he made a mistake! He just tried to correct it." may have been intended to be more jestful than it came across as being. When it comes down to it, in Michael Jordan's mind, he was cut from that team. Again, cut, didn't make the cut...you can debate the semantics but it's basically the same story.

The Come Fly With Me stuff though...yeah, the producers definitely should've tried harder to find Pop or left that part out entirely. I guess they were trying to tell the story in broad strokes though.

the best example of this was him calling out Bryon Russell in his HOF speech

Again, I'd disagree. His speech was (and continues to be) blown way out of proportion in my opinion. Parts of it were a little awkward, notably the bit with Leroy Smith. But it wasn't nearly as hateful and bitter as a lot of people, this writer included, make it out to be. He spoke about what motivated him, what made him competitive. Fair enough it wasn't to everyone's liking, but I still feel a lot of people see his speech the way they do because they want to see it that way. The Byron Russell stuff was really just a funny little anecdote when it comes down to it, Russell himself didn't seem that bothered. I remember some writer at the time claiming that Jordan probably made that story up, which might've been a decent suggestion had Russell himself not confirmed the story a couple of days earlier. There's your journalistic integrity.

I even recall someone comparing it to Kanye's famous "Imma let you finish" moment, which happened around about the same time, and suggesting Jordan's speech was worse. That's ridiculous; even if his speech was that bad, at least the floor was his to say what he wanted.

I'll freely admit I'm not without my bias here, I am a Michael Jordan fan after all. I have no delusions that he is a perfect human being, incapable of being crass or insensitive or at times inconsiderate. We've seen examples that show he is prone to these human faults as much as the rest of us. But it seems to me articles like this are portraying him as much more malicious than he probably intends to be, assuming intent and context. Like I said, the story is the same as it always was, we're just splitting hairs on what it means to be cut from a team.

Good read aside from a few rambling parts, but not without its own bias...and in a publication that sold so many issues thanks to Jordan gracing the cover, no less. That may be the real bullshit here.

[koberulz]

But it seems to me articles like this are portraying him as much more malicious than he probably intends to be, assuming intent and context.

After his hall of fame speech, you might be able to say that. But when examples of him saying that sort of thing keep cropping up, it lends more and more credibility to the opposing argument.

and in a publication that sold so many issues thanks to Jordan gracing the cover, no less. That may be the real bullshit here.

You can't be serious. Absolutely nowhere in any legal, moral, ethical or any other sort of code does it say you can't criticise people who made money for you - and not even directly - when they do something wrong.

And really, has there ever been a major sports star who wasn't an asshole?

[homicide1550]

And really, has there ever been a major sports star who wasn't an asshole?

If I was as good as MJ I'd be an asshole too, coz I know I'm a better ball player than anyone else. Just saying.

[benji]

Yet the MVP continues to be humble.

At least Chicago finally has a star it can respect.

If I was as good as MJ I'd be an asshole too, coz I know I'm a better ball player than anyone else. Just saying.

I doubt "basketball talent" is the necessary condition here.

[volsey]

After watching the HoF speech, I get where they're coming from, but would completely disagree with the "arrogance" of the speech.

Michael Jordan is predominantly known for his competitiveness, and heart whilst playing the game of basketball, his entire speech focuses on what led him to such a drive and competitive nature. While I understand how crediting the people who led to him be so competitive may sound like he's just rambling off all the people that left him bitter and gave him a grudge, I don't feel that's what he intended. Personally I felt that each shout-out was sincere, I felt he was genuinely crediting each person for fueling his fire.

I truly doubt after all these years, after all his success that those people mentioned have a grudge against him. He is the GoAT, and he talked about what led him to become that. That's the way I see it. Either way blown way out of proportion.

[Andrew]

I can see the argument as well, but I don't think it was anywhere near as bitter or hateful as it's been made out to be. I've heard and read my share of bitter, hateful tirades and Jordan's Hall of Fame speech barely registers in that department.

And really, has there ever been a major sports star who wasn't an asshole?

They're definitely a rare breed, after all they were once high school jocks. As far as the NBA is concerned, I'd throw Tim Duncan, Grant Hill and Steve Nash out there as examples of stars who don't seem to fit that description.

[NBALIVE2000VIDEOS]

don't forget the old nba full of people with sportsmenship,

Joe Dumars, Dr. J, Kevin Johnson, lol Kenny Smith, countless others.

[air gordon]

who gives a shit how he acted when he was in high school?? what i want to know is what kind of car did North Carolina give him when he committed to go that college!!! seriously though- kick a man when he's down. The Jordan-aire's are pretty damn awful...

Jordan you can say is a product of the media. they make him the face of nba. they use him to sell the game globally. he endorses McDonalds, Gatorade, Nike, etc... they make him out to have this squeaky clean image even though he has a gambling problem, can't stay faithful to his wife, and he slugged a teammate (on probably multiple incidents). but the whole time the media has a gag order on reporting anything negative about him. be like Mike. it's a hypocrisy.

that HOF induction speech was a surprise. Most Jordan interviews were vanilla/fluff pieces. for a rare instance, Jordan was honest when the lights and cameras were on. His competitive drive indeed is both his greatest attribute and flaw.

yeah it deserves some criticism. he probably could have been more graciousl/less mean spirited lol but it's not like he didn't thank anyone/stick out his chest and pat himself on the back the whole time


now in this day of social media where everything is over analyzed/blown out of proportion- would Jordan still be the most celebrated athlete of professional sports in THIS era??

[Andrew]

I'm guessing the adoration to hate ratio would be similar, the Internet would just afford the latter group a larger platform to speak out.

[benji]

now in this day of social media where everything is over analyzed/blown out of proportion- would Jordan still be the most celebrated athlete of professional sports in THIS era??

27, no rings, no finals trips, never get past Pistons A REAL TEAM ball hog doesn't make teammates better #jordonoverrated

@ same age magic had four rings, three finals mvps #jordonoverrated

@ same age bird had two rings, one finals mvp #jordonoverrated

[Andrew]

Sprinkle a few LOLs, SMHs and LMFAOs in there and I'd say that's right on the money.

[NovU]

Hahahaha. benji very good one. LoLed literally.

[123rockstar]

27, no rings, no finals trips, never get past Pistons A REAL TEAM ball hog doesn't make teammates better #jordonoverrated

@ same age magic had four rings, three finals mvps #jordonoverrated

@ same age bird had two rings, one finals mvp #jordonoverrated

I dont think Micheal Jordan is overrated. Dont base your argument when he is at a certain age, but rather base a player at the totality of his whole career.

Players wanting to be the greatest All Time dont have to retire at 27 just because the havent got no ring nor finals MVPs yet. Base is Career-wise.

Career highlights and awards
6× NBA Champion (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998)
5× NBA Most Valuable Player (1988, 1991–1992, 1996, 1998)
14× NBA All-Star (1985–1993, 1996–1998, 2002–2003)
6× NBA Finals MVP (1991–1993, 1996–1998)
10× NBA scoring champion (1987–1993, 1996–1998)
3× NBA steals champion (1988, 1990, 1993)
NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1988)
10× All-NBA First Team (1987–1993, 1996–1998)
All-NBA Second Team (1985)
9× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1988–1993, 1996–1998)
NBA Rookie of the Year (1985)
NBA All-Rookie First Team (1985)
3× NBA All-Star Game MVP (1988, 1996, 1998)
2× NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion (1987–1988)
NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
#23 Retired by Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat
NCAA Champion (1982)
2× Consensus NCAA All-American First Team (1983–1984)
ACC Player of the Year (1984)
Oscar Robertson Trophy (1984)
Naismith College Player of the Year (1984)
John R. Wooden Award (1984)
Adolph Rupp Trophy (1984)

[Sauru]

And really, has there ever been a major sports star who wasn't an asshole?

If I was as good as MJ I'd be an asshole too, coz I know I'm a better ball player than anyone else. Just saying.

exactly what is wrong with the world

[benji]

I dont think Micheal Jordan is overrated. Dont base your argument when he is at a certain age, but rather base a player at the totality of his whole career.

Players wanting to be the greatest All Time dont have to retire at 27 just because the havent got no ring nor finals MVPs yet. Base is Career-wise.

WOOOOSSSHHH!

[NBALIVE2000VIDEOS]

sauru, its the board lurkers that make the other part of the world and then the majority rl population who doesnt ever go posting. dont worry, most people arent insecured jocks or delusioned by wealth and paparazi and live in space (like lady gaga)

the ahole syndrome mainly stems from the fact being an ahole doenst require much thought, lack thereof