So, yesterday was the NBA All Star Game. Whatever. I try to avoid the NBA at all costs, but as an avid Sportscenter watcher, I had to listen to info about the All Star game all weekend. Fine. Whatever.
Well, it was Michael Jordan's Last All Star Game Ever. This was the hype, the story, the entire point of the whole damn game, or so the media would lead us to believe. Jordan wasn't voted in as a starter to the team (and why should he be? His season has been nowhere near the caliber of Tracy McGrady's, for example), and Vince Carter refused to give up his starting spot for Jordan (Carter said that he didn't want to invalidate all of the votes of the people who voted for him. Carter gets a big "whatever" from me as well, because his season thus far has been mediocre). Carter finally abdicated so Jordan could start.
Now, don't get me wrong. Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player who ever lived. Unfortunately, he's not even the greatest active player these days. Boyfriend has retired twice already, and this time, as he plans to retire at the end of the season, he means it. He swears. So we've all had to be subjected to the Jordan farewell tour all season long. Fine. But why did last night have to be the Michael Jordan All Star Game? Why did the NBA choose to focus on its past instead of its future? Jordan is the past. Period. He's way past his prime and shouldn't have come back this last time. It tarnishes his legacy, and I don't understand why people can't see that.
For the non-Sportscenter watchers who read this page, one final note. Michael Jordan was serenaded, yes, serenaded, at halftime, by Mariah Carey. What song did she sing? "Hero." That'd be the song she sang at the "Tribute to Heroes" back in September 2001. The even more galling part? Jordan let this go on. He let himself be serenaded. He didn't say, "You know what? I'd rather just be in the locker room during halftime, why should I be the spectacle?" For someone who "saved the NBA" he has absolutely no concept that his hanging around is marring the game. Last night the All Star game went into 2 overtimes, featured rising stars, including the first Chinese player ever, and what are all the press stories about? Jordan. When I was nine years old, Jordan was the coolest person in the world to me. I had posters, hats, the whole nine yards. Now? Now he's a joke. I am appalled by him.
Posted by waking slow at February 10, 2003 03:37 PMi think i was around 10 when i became a jordan fan and now im 28 and still a fan! i would like him to play forever but i do think 18 years or however long its been with the numerous retirements is forever. im sure this is it but id get kick out of it if he played one more year.
i dont find him appalling but it is a joke with all the farewell cerimonies hes had.