Michael Jordan is Scared...

It is without a doubt that LeBron's recent play has brought up the notion that he may be the greatest to ever have played the game of basketball. As a result, the ultra competitive Michael Jordan - feeling his legacy as the widely considered GOAT (up to now) is now being threatened - spoke up about picking Kobe instead of LeBron as the greater player. A couple things make MJ's motive apparent...

1) He cites ring count as his determining factor.

     MJ is no dummy. He advocates ring count (of which he has 6) as the determining factor. We all know championships are more of a team accomplishment than an individual accomplishment. Jordan however tries to elevate his own stature by subtly referencing Kobe's 5 rings as making him greater than LeBron. I find it hard to believe that Jordan would feel the same way (about the importance of ring count as ultimate validation of greatness) if he had all the same stats, but no rings.  


2) Choosing one and the way he said it.

     When you are one of the greatest (or THE greatest) at something, it is not appropriate to give an opinion about two players who are still playing. Especially when neither of them really rivaled you when you were playing. I know Kobe caught the latter part of MJ's career, but they were never in their NBA primes together. The proper response would have been to say they are both great and that they both have their strengths and weaknesses over each other - or something to that effect. To pick one and then reiterate ring count (by actually repeating it), clearly tells me MJ is hedging his status.


Now I'm not saying I'm surprised. I've actually come to expect this from retired greats. Their egos and competitveness are huge. It's part of what drove them to become great. Which is why you see some of them never let go. We saw it with Shaq (dissing Howard) after he retired, for example. But to put it the way Michael did makes him seem petty. The Greatest at something should never seem so petty. 

I have liked the way LeBron has handled it by replying with 'he would not pick Bill Russell over Michael Jordan because of ring count'. By also saying he 'doesn't play for other people's approval' and "I'm not MJ. I'm LJ". 

Jordan was a robot when everyone saw him play.

He maintained a perfectly cultivated Madison avenue image that never strayed from the focus of brand value.
He never weighed in on political issues.  He never discussed his personal life.  He rarely had opinions outside of the basketball game.
It was a designed and flawless strategy.

............

The HALL of FAME speech was the first real glimpse into the reality of Jordan (the human) rather than Jordan (the brand icon).
It was somewhat sobering and very very uncomfortable.
He had such a competitive fierceness that came across as almost petty and childish.
ANd if you listen to the few select friend and inner circle people, they will say that is how Jordan always is.... the brand is detached from the actual personality.

..........

This latest Kobe-Lebron comment is just an extension of that Uber-Competitive ego driven focus.
Jordan cannot turn it off.  Even approaching 50 years of age, the competitive all-consuming drive is getting stronger.
Jordan wants to win at all costs.
If backing Kobe gains him even the slightest edge, he will run with it to extreme and exacting standards.

This is the core essence of Jordan the human.

It can be uncomfortable and seemingly a massive ego-driven pettiness.
But, it is the same inner quality that made him the GOAT.

I have liked the way LeBron has handled it by replying with 'he would not pick Bill Russell over Michael Jordan because of ring count'. By also saying he 'doesn't play for other people's approval' and "I'm not MJ. I'm LJ". 

I agree ... LBJ has matured over the years, to the point when he leaves Miami in Free Agency soon, I may actually learn to apprechiate the kid's talent more lol

and jordan should be scared. lebron simply plays his amazing game and jordan himself gets into the debate. that alone is good enough proof that whether anybody likes it or not, the potential to challenge the GOAT title is playing with the Heat right now. despite we winning the championship, we are still soaring to new heights.

jordan should just keep quiet. he could have just chuckled or sneered. but looks like he is legitimately scared fo his legacy being challenged. what is even great is that we dont give a crap about it. and while people talk about useless convo like that, what is scarier is that the heat are starting to smell blood on every opponent we face and our handling of fourth quarters have been such. and lebron is leading the pack of sharks.

I find Jordan's answer to be refreshing, actually.  Unlike what you said, when past players are interviewed and asked about current players, they usually wuss out on giving their real opinion and give a diplomatic or wishy washy opinion instead.  This happens in all sports all the time.  Jordan gave his real opinion [which was actually for Kevin Durant].  If that's his real opinion, then it is what it is.  Why should he adopt your opinion instead?  And, because you guys are butthurt by his opinion, you launch a series of ad hominems against him.  The title of this thread would be more accurate if it said "TheHoorse is Butthurt by Jordan's Opinion..."

LOL - I would say it's Miami Heat fans that are scared. They're scared that Lebron won't win as many championships as Kobe Bryant, so they are running wild to explain why Kobe is not as good as Lebron. Here is the thing though - MJ's opinion is based on Kobe's 17 years in the NBA in comparison to Lebron's career which is not finished yet. You really do need to wait until Lebron is finished and then you can present your argument as to who had the best career.  


I wonder how many death threats poor Michael has gotten over his statements. Knowing the Miami Heat fans in here, He has probably already received a few hundred demanding he retract his statements   

 The title of this thread would be more accurate if it said "TheHoorse is Butthurt by Jordan's Opinion..."



LMAO!!! funny AND true...















CL67  

 

The title of this thread would be more accurate if it said "TheHoorse is Butthurt by Jordan's Opinion..."

BUTTHURT AND SCARED - VERY SCARED LOL  

There will never come a time in any of our lives where anyone with a brain would think LeBron is a better palyer than Jordan.


Jordan was asked a question.



His answer should not shock anyone with an ounce of intelligence. He picked Kobe. The question was an open (and loaded) question. It's clear Jordan was saying he'd pick Kobe "overall including his prime" to Lebron.


He wasn't using the "rings" purely as the reason. That's what idiots on a message board do....

He was quantifying his opinion based on body of work which factually includes Kobe leading 5 teams to championships.

Lebron, on the other hand, lead at least 2 teams to failed Championships. (Some would say gave up)

Lebron is physically talented. No doubt. He's the best player in the game today.

But Kobe was the best player in the league AND won championships.

LeBron is the best player in the league Period .... AND he and loses championships.


You can disagree with MJ. That's fine. But, at the end of the day, the best player in the history of the game versus your opinion? I'm siding with him.

thats a dumb statement. and so what about the years shaq left... did kobina even lead the fakers to the finals? had to wait for gasol to do that for him. LOL.

at least lebron led the scrub cavs to the finals.


jordan is stupid. he is a great player but he cannot see true talent. unknowingly he belittled both koberina by using the ring argument which everybody laughs at and himself, since he does not need to elevate himself further if he thinks he is GOAT. i think its because he is 50 years old and losing a bit of rationale. then again he sucked at evaluating talent    

Looks like Mongo needs an NBA history lesson.

He was quantifying his opinion based on body of work which factually includes Kobe leading 5 teams to championships

Kobe is 2-2 when trying to be the lead guy in the finals to win a championship.

Lebron, on the other hand, lead at least 2 teams to failed Championships. (Some would say gave up)

James is 1-1 when being the lead guy in the finals.




   
   

James is 1-1 when being the lead guy in the finals.

Kobe is 2-2 when trying to be the lead guy in the finals to win a championship.

Your opinions of who was "leading" is trictly that: your opinion....

My opinion agrees with Jordans over yours. Please don't be offended. He's the best to ever play the game. He helped hand select and train the players on the teams that won 6 championships. You are a guy who is on a sports message board with a Jim Morrison avatar...


And truth be told, facts are still facts. James quit in critical championship games - which ended in another team winning the champinship. You can't change facts or history. It is what it is. Kobe (and Jordan) did not give up and give championships to other teams...

Not trying to start a fight here. Just trying to bring a level of sanity to a thread based on complete stupidity.

You are a guy who is on a sports message board with a Jim Morrison avatar...

And you're a guy who's sporting an avatar of a guy who went from the NFL to being a horrible professional Wrestler.   

For you to say that Bryant lead the Lakers to 5 NBA titles shows you know nothing about Pro Baskerball.  

There will never come a time in any of our lives where anyone with a brain would think LeBron is a better palyer than Jordan.

So then I guess lots of former NBA all stars and basketball analysts that know more about the game then you have no brain. Riiiiiight. 

I've seen LJ play in person. Guy is unstoppable. I suggest you spend the extra $$$ to get good seats and watch him play in person. You will be amazed.

Jim Doors Lebron is 1-2 as of now...Cavs loss and Heat loss...heat win asterisk style or not...whatever you prefer...

Tiger Woods and Richard Federer have both won more major championships in their individual sports than Kobe & Jordan put together & they ain't done yet. Comparing individual players in a team sport is not only stupid, it's impossible, especially when it comes to championships. The greatest players in any team sport are just that. Great team players that contibute their talent and leadership towards the ultimate goal of the team. The sum of the individual parts is greater  than the whole. Players like Dennis Johnson, Kareem, Shaq, Rodman, even Robert Horry to an extent are players that were very influencial in the differnet teams they played for championship runs. Michael Jordan's ultimate final gasp was to embarress himself and the league playing as a washed up nobody in Washington. Kobe is headed down the same path.

Pride definitely goeth before a fall.

Well in that case by MJ's own logic he is not the greatest of all time

Who's Richard Federer?