Quote: "They don't need a ticket to watch you sitting on the bench. They can go to your house for that." - Michael to Charles Davis who was sorting through his tickets for his family and friends haha xD...funny guy
Uhm I dont think so. Kobe wouldn't even acknowledge his teammates when he first came in the league, didn' even want to hang around them. I know some stuff first hand that really would make you shake your head at the way Kobe behaved. Although Mike could say some crazy sh**, he still could have a good time with his teammates and laugh and crack jokes--Kobe used to act like his sh** was made of gold. For example, Kobe used to have personal "towel boys" who would bring him water and stuff during practices. And the guy would actually clap for them the way a king would summon servants! Forget the paid staff--he had to bring in personel servants because he was "better" than everyone else.
1. I don't know why people think you have a right to be a jerk if you are extremely gifted. 2. I don't know why people think being competitive is the same as being a jerk. 3. I don't know why so many people just assume that Jordan is GOAT.
I have a feeling that you were not born when I started watching the NBA. The only people who assume Jordan is the undisputed GOAT are people who started watching in the early 90s.
MJ played in an era when Internet wasn't available for massive. Youtube wasn't there at all. All he needed was keeping the good relationship with media in general. The negative wouldn't come out in main stream media at all. The youngs would worship him like he's the perfect role model. Nowadays, Kobe trashed Bynum responding to an anonymous fan on street and it's on Youtube and ESPN next day, breaking news style. I have no doubt MJ's problem with teammates, gamble and adultery would have been exposed much more had he played in this era. And his image would have been much more bipolar. That being said, in pro sports, it's all about winning. History is written by winners. 20 years from now, no one would care if Kobe had raped a white groupie or not.
How about some words of wisdom? <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_-EyRUgp9Mk&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_-EyRUgp9Mk&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>
It's a personal opinion on who the GOAT is. I won't criticize the people who say Jordan is as long as they they explain in a rational manner and not like a fanboy. Nor would I bash people who say he isn't as long as they present their points in a rational manner also. Jordan said himself he's uncomfortable of naming himself as the GOAT because he never went against the past legends of the game like Jerry West, Oscar, Wilt, Bill Russell, and so on. His explanation is the best reason IMO; we'll never know how his teams and him individually would fare against those other legends' teams. On these quotes that Sam Smith gathered for his book; it was released Jan 1993 when the Bulls were going for their 1st 3peat. That book along with the gambling controversy put a major dent in Jordan's pristine public image, who was built up by his endorsers and the media as your classic all american golden boy. Jordan hated the book and refused to talk to the author after it was released.
This... now-a-days you have people that capture the games upload them to YouTube and show all the dirty plays that happen on-court. Then you have leaked videos and information about a player's mis-happenings as well.
I would answer: "Nope this box is for you and has modesty and humbleness" Wow! Nobody have said this ever! This quote could be from everyone. I can hear Kobe saying this, and in the 4th quarter he shoots 20 times and only makes 6 :grin: Yeah right, he was a huge part in the first three-peat, and when they traded him, they didnt do nothing, and lost in the playoffs to Orlando, which had Horace Grant on it! :grin: Then they got another great PF to win the 2nd 3-peat
OK, I exaggerated a bit. I have no problem with people arguing Jordan as GOAT. I do have problem with people just ASSUMING he is UNDISPUTED GOAT. He is one of the top 5 players in history. Is he the best? Debatable. In fact, I am not sure if you can really compare players from different eras straight up.
The Kobe thing again, I dont question Kobe's dedication, candor, and attitude that much. Being a great player and being an insufferable jackass egomaniac can go together Time and time again I've said its the Kobe FANS fashioning their attitude after his, and the entitlement thats annoying. On-court performance and the stats are another area all to itself. Who cares if someone gets 50 points arrogantly or kindly. I was never a big Jordan fan either. (His $100+ sneakers rubbed me the wrong way) Agree. Except for the rape part. The best thing for Kobe was he WASNT sentenced. If Kobe spent months even weeks in jail off a conviction, Shaq would still be in LA.
Jordan said a lot of those quotes before he ever won a title too. Do you really think competitive, arrogant players keep quiet and humble until after they win a ring? That's not the way it works. I have to echo everyone else that said the 24/7 media and the sensationalist, controversy-generating style of journalism is the root of all the nitpicking that happens with players' personalities. Many of the 80s/early 90s stars were as flawed, if not more so, that current players. If anything, current players are more behaved because they know the reach and impact of modern media. Remember all the hoopla that happened when Lebron didn't shake the hands of the Magic players? I thought it was a total non-issue because it seemed like that sort of thing happened fairly regularly with the insanely competitive players of a couple decades ago. There were some players that absolutely HATED certain other players; despised them on such a personal level that you'd be lucky to get eye contact of acknowledgment off the court, never mind a handshake. Jordan was a notorious "sore loser" and I'm positive he had his share of times when he walked to the locker room without shaking the opposing teams' hands. In fact, Jordan was the type of guy that you didn't even want to play board games with as a young child because he would throw the board and pieces against the wall after he lost and storm out of the house. The outrage certain fans had over a trivial action by Lebron is laughable. If anything, Lebron needs to channel some of Jordan's "bad" traits if he wants to live up to the expectations that those same fans will criticize him for not reaching. I'll sound like a crotchety old man when I say this, despite the fact that I'm I'm in my mid-20s, but the wussification of the NBA has spread to its fans, as well. Give me back the passion, arrogance, and unbridled hate of "yesteryear" rather than players that have to walk on eggshells lest they destroy their public image and marketability. Even a 7-game Celtics/Lakers finals this year felt fairly sterilized and devoid of the emotions in their mid-80s matchups. I never thought I'd see that.
