He’ll be alongside other NBA legends like Oscar, Wilt, Russell, (Bill, not Cazzie nor Bryon), “The Pistol”, Abdul-Jabbar and of course, Bird and “Magic”. Of course they won’t be able to get too close to his Airness for fear of drawing a foul.
Anyone who knows me knows I am not Michael Jordan’s biggest fan. I hated Jordan’s Bulls. Perhaps the only person tormented more by Jordan than myself would be Craig Ehlo. My guess Gerald, the so-called “Jordan stopper”, Wilkins would be a close second. When the original airness, David Thompson, inducts Jordan and ESPN rolls all the incredible highlights of his 15 NBA seasons, chances are I won’t be watching. It’ll simply be too painful to endure.
My love-hate, respect-disdain for Michael Jordan began in March 1982. It was the NCAA Men’s National Championship. North Carolina vs. Georgetown. I remember the refs calling Georgetown’s Patrick Ewing for goaltending four times in the first half of that contest. Despite those four miscarriages of hoops justice, the Hoyas were still ahead at halftime. What if the Tar Heels didn’t have those eight undeserved points in the bag when Jordan sank that 17-footer with 15 seconds remaining? What if Hoya guard Fred Brown looked for one more second before making that errant pass to North Carolina’s James Worthy? I guess the refs can’t be blamed for that.
Then there’s June 1991. Jordan and company finally disposed of the Pistons and advance to the NBA Finals against “Magic” and the Lakers. I’m confident. The Lakers won game one. Unfortunately, the Bulls won the next four. I still want to barf every time I hear Oh, What a spectacular move by Michael Jordan!
But no Jordan moment enrages me more than the greatest push-off that was never called. I wonder if MJ will finally come clean and admit what we all know is true. HE PUSHED OFF…IT WASN’T CALLED! I’m quite sure two of Jordan’s fellow 2009 inductees, Jerry Sloan and John Stockton won’t be holding their breaths in anticipation of that. True, Bryon Russell may have been guilty of hand-checking, but he didn’t fall three feet backwards because Jordan twisted his ankles with a wicked cross-over. It’s called charging.
All kidding and Jordan-hating aside, he was an amazing player to watch and his place in the hall is certainly deserved. He has six world championship rings, as well as six playoff MVP’s, five league MVP’s, 10 scoring titles and more than 32,000 points. He probably hung around a few years more than he should have. It’s hard to believe it has only been six years since we last saw Michael Jordan charge, travel or crab-dribble through defenders without being whistled. But that’s what happens when you’re the best basketball player ever. Congrats MJ.
I still don’t like you.
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Gus you are a hater, but respectful. Love your articles. Keep up the good work. Next time you are in Ruston let me know we can get a beer and share some fried pickles.