What supposedly a memorable event to many, Michael Jordan’s induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is also showing other sides of him: A fierce competitor, a hint of arrogant and a lousy NBA team owner.
Michael Jordan’s speech turns to be uninspired, unfocused, and… ugly. He brings many issues from his past, counter-attack those that ‘attack’ him – dozens of years ago. Pretty uninspiring for a respectable gentleman and legend like him.
Sorry, MJ, with all due respect – We know that you are a fierce competitor that makes you a winner – But attacking everybody including those that have impact on your career is disrespectful (and not thanking those who are influential in your basketball career, such as your personal trainer, Tim Grover, is, again, disrespectful.)
Some also suspect that this is why he is not doing a great job building the Charlotte Bobcats.
Here’s Jordan’s induction speech:
…oh well – Nevertheless, congrats, Michael!
11 Reviews
albert mendoza
~ Sep 13, 2009
Michael Jordan’s speech at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony was not just disrespectful, it was downright RUDE!
Democracy is all about letting everyone be heard but there are such things as decency, class, panache. Which were totally absent from Jordan’s speech. There was no use for digging out old resentments and raking in dead issues. The night was for generosity and magnanimity and humility and acknowledgment. It should have been a fitting close to a legendary career.
Instead, the greatest player in the history of basketball showed up as a bitter, narcissistic and arrogant clown.
eronne
~ Sep 14, 2009
Michael Jordan’s Hall of Fame speech is still the biggest topic in basketball. And for the most part, the reviews were not positive. It really amazed me.
Asep Onde
~ Sep 14, 2009
Yes – an unfortunate ‘end’ to MJ basketball legacy.
Asep Onde
~ Sep 14, 2009
It’s still hot because we all know who MJ is – A great player who help defines the NBA, a great competitor and a winner. To err is human, but unfortunately people expect more from MJ – He can say whatever he wants in a game, but not on a Hall of Fame induction! That would be one of MJ’s biggest mistake in his career in basketball (as a player and a team owner.)
MJ RULES
~ Sep 15, 2009
It seems a lot of people are tearing up Jordan’s acceptance speech into the HOF. This legend was only being direct and honest about himself and his career. I imagine people want him to bow down because he was inducted, to give praise to all the people that doubted him, and to forgive and forget all the trials he faced. It’s good to hear him being honest; brutal as it may be. Jordan doesn’t need to appease ANYBODY or do a speech so everybody feels all good inside and bubbly. He is what he is: G.O.A.T. And nobody can dispute this!
Asep Onde
~ Sep 16, 2009
Unfortunately, like I mentioned before, he is MJ and people expect more from someone of his stature. I mean, if Sir Charles said such thing, we wouldn’t question him – He is Mr. Trash Talk. In MJ’s case, it’s like Obama’s speak bad words on McCain and others in his inauguration day.
Nevertheless, MJ is still the only one that won’t be reborn in the NBA. Not in Kobe, not in nobody.
Great Speech!
~ Sep 22, 2009
This article is all wrong. This speech wasn’t for the critics, for MJ, or even for his former teamates. This was a unique speech aimed at the common man in order to motivate, and stressed the concept of perserverence and hard work. These are the ultimate values for life that lead to success!!! How many times have we heard the same speech from players like John Stockton, and David Robinson! Did we really think that MJ’s was going to be the same old thing? Of Course not!! He is one in a trillion!!!! MJ is the greatest basketball player, and possibly greatest athlete of our generation! Obviously, too become such, he needed to have a fire in him and to be the most competetive. This speech for the first time gives us a glimpse into Michael’s mindset no strings attached. Hopefully, there will be others to follow his footsteps of success. This was very fitting for the greatest there ever was or will be. Any who doesn’t agree, doesn’t know sportsman mentality, and doesn’t know the ultimate sports men Michael Jordan!!!!!
Asep Onde
~ Oct 14, 2009
Even if it’s truly not for those, the speech I listened over and over again just not typically MJ’s. He is professional and can carry himself well before, but why this time?
Scott
~ Oct 24, 2009
Though I admit I expected more from his speech, I understand the text in which it was given. He explained what motivated him. However, he could have done it in a less arrogant way. But what can u say about a guy who stood on top of the world and yet never did a commercial on behalf of the NBA for the United Way (like other players did), or has a record of giving to charity.
I guess he was above all that
Kyle
~ Feb 20, 2011
you’re a moron his speech was right on the money and owned. he used his trump card (greatest ball player ever) to intimidate those who slighted him and make them look foolish. Trying to embarrass him at his first all star game because of jeAlous? He got all of the players back, Isaiah the most by in turn refusing to play on the dream team if they chose Isaiah. TWC Winter played the tough love card a few times too often so MJ told a story about him that wasn’t disrespectful it was true andvkinda funny. more importantly the speech was human a rare glimpse at the man, not the marketing hype but the man that his friends know and we should be thankful of him sharing that with us for that short period of time. his closing statement was so inspiration.
Asep Onde
~ Feb 21, 2011
Yeah, I’m a humble moron. Unfortunately, it’s an event in which everybody speaks boring things, so getting informal is… different. Just a moron’s 2 cents.