In class we talked about what we saw in the above picture politically, socially, and culturally. Students said they saw confidence, advertising, rising economy, etc. Michael Jordan was and still is a big influence. A girl in class made a good comment when she said that Michael Jordan brought some playground flashiness to the game. When Jordan came into the league he kind of changed the image of the NBA. He wore Air Jordan shoes, gold chains, and baggy shorts (compared to the other players back then). Michael Jordan would perform gravity defying dunks, and help sell out arenas. Jordan had such a great image. One thing that was great about Jordan was that he was humble and himself. Today a lot of players are arrogant like Kobe Bryant and Lebron James. Jordan would always smile and stick his tongue out and I loved his competitiveness.
Economically no one is close to Jordan. The Air Jordan is one of the most popular brands of shoes. Each pair costs at least 115$. Jordan was easily marketable. I think it is tough to be a great athlete and be well liked, but Jordan was. Jordan won six NBA titles, 10 scoring titles, and 5 MVP awards. The closest athlete today to Michael Jordan is Tiger Woods. Tiger Woods is head and shoulders above everyone in golf and he is the number one athlete today in advertising. Woods has a good image like Jordan. I don't think their will ever be anyone as popular as Mike in basketball again. Kobe is great, but the rape case really hurt him and Lebron is great, but his arrogance makes a lot of people not like him including me. What was different about Jordan was he knew he was the best, but let other people praise him instead of a lot of athletes today who are on themselves.
Below is a link to some of Michael Jordan's best dunks in the slam dunk contest.
Scott,
ReplyDeleteI liked what you said about Jordan. He really changed the face of the game from old school to a new style of basketball. The baggy shorts, chains and other apparel helped to bring the basketball era today to what it is. Of course now, the players are entitled to wear a suit when they are on the bench not playing, but overall he changed the face of the game. As a matter of fact, he is the face of basketball. I liked how you pointed out that he brought out the electrifying dunks and moves that no one had seen before. He had a brilliant eye and mind for the game. He was the idol and hero for many young boys and girls and still continues to be that role model today. People still put his posters on their walls and buy his shoes. He probably has the most pronounce shoe line in the world! They may cost a lot, but to say you are wearing "Jordans" still has a huge impact on people all over the world. Good blog.
Thanks for sharing the Youtube clip that you posted. One of the first things I noticed about Jordan (and you also commented on it) was that he was wearing the gold chains in this competition. I remember reading about Jordan being criticized by some of the veterans for wearing those chains, and he quickly changed his style, "losing the chains." Do you think Lebron is arrogant? (I guess you don't want to see that when you are a fan:-)
ReplyDeleteYes, I think Lebron is arrogant. Some of the things he has done like not shaking the Orlando Magic's hands after losing to them in the Eastern Conference Finals, trying to hide the tape of him getting dunked on at his Nike camp by a college kid, and it's cold that he is teasing Cleveland with leaving to go to New York. Also he always praises himself and calls himself the King. I think it's great that he's confident, but I also think it's important to be humble. Michael was humble and the Bulls were his team and Chicago was his city. He knew he was the best, but let others praise him.
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