First off I would like to say that I hope every everyone enjoyed their long labor day weekend (well it didn't feel long to me at least)!
But anyways, my topic for today I would like to talk about is the almighty Michael Jordan. Looking back to the early 90's whenever basketball was mentioned to me the first thing that came to my head was Michael Jordan. Personally growing up I was raised into a hockey family since my father born and raised in Montreal, Quebec where hockey is the center of attention. I never really got into the sport of basketball but once I heard of Michael Jordan I suddenly got interest in the sport. Watching him was just so unbelievable. The way he could shoot the ball from anywhere, how he would magically make those turn around jump shots, and even take the ball to the rim and slam it blew my mind. This is where that famous saying back in the 90's came about to almost every kid " I want to be like Mike." I wanted to be like Mike along with the millions of other kids around the globe. I can remember my mom taking me to the shoe store where I got my first pair of high tops. They were Air Jordan's that were all black with the little red Michael Jordan symbol on them. When I put those on I felt like I could jump higher and shoot the ball better....but that was only in my head.... I can't shoot a basketball if my life depended on it.
Michael Jordan in my opinion made the sport of basketball in the 90's. Chicago Bulls Games were sold out because so many people wanted to watch him play. Nike exploded a line of shoes and clothing that were dedicated to Jordan. He was helping out the sport of basketball not only socially, but economically. And what kid that grew up in the 90's did not see the movie "Space Jam"? Seriously I was in love with that movie because it brought Michael Jordan my favorite basketball player and mixed him in a cartoon world. 
Overall, I really feel like Michael Jordan changed the game of basketball for many during the 90's. Actually, even now he is still out there with a new line of Gatorade dedicated to him. He is one of the sports names I will never forget I feel that his legacy in the game of basketball will never wear off.
See ya in class
I totally agree. I remember being a kid and getting the Air Jordan's. Watching him continually beat the Pacers and Knicks in the playoffs was amazing, and the way he took it to the Jazz in the NBA Finals was unforgettable (I just wish he could have missed "The Shot" against the Cavs). It is amazing how much Michael Jordan changed the game of basketball. I watch ESPN Classic alot, and when they show old NBA games it seems so structured and slow. Today's league is a run and gun NBA that I don't think would exist if not for Jordan's impact on the game. He is even still breaking down walls to this day, as he proved with his controversial Hall of Fame Inductee Speech. MJ will always be a basketball hero, and I don't think anyone will ever dominate the game the way he did again.
ReplyDeleteBoth of your entries really help to reinforce why Michael Jordan was so dominant during the 90s. I think you will both enjoy the article on "The Jordan effect" which we will be reading in a few classes. It talks about the cumulative effect of some of the things you have mentioned here-selling out the Bulls, Space Jam, Gatorade, etc. It is difficult to imagine another athlete having that effect today!
ReplyDeleteBrandon,
ReplyDeleteIt is obvious that you are passionate about MJ and believe in his ability as a player and a trademark in society. I am also a huge fan of MJ and wish I was a little older so I could remember watching him play in the 90's. Most of my friends, as well as my brother wanted to "be like Mike." He is a positive role model to have and has continued his image after leaving the game of basketball.