Comments on: The Curse of Air Jordan Haunts LeBron James

By: Jon Pyle

Jon Pyle — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 17:14:35 +0000

That’s part of the problem. David Stern and the NBA emphasized Jordan way too much during his time playing, which essentially created this Jordan vacuum nobody could ever fill. They created a monster that eventually turned on them.

By: Matthew Greenberg

Matthew Greenberg — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:44:39 +0000

It seems basketball is the only sport so obsessed with finding “The Next Jordan.” And I don’t think it’s just media fascination that drives it… it’s the culture of the sport, to the detriment of the sport, ultimately.

The same media covers baseball and football and hockey (if that still counts), but you hear far, far less theorizing about some new kid who could be the next Derek Jeter or Walter Payton or Mark Messier.

Why is that?

By: Jon Pyle

Jon Pyle — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:40:41 +0000

Steve-
Michael Jordan is a compulsive competitor and egomaniac. Most celebs are egomaniacs so I can discount that, but his obsession with competing has really started to stand out to me. Judging by his behavior, he’s addicted to gambling, most likely because that’s the only way he can get the rush he used to get while playing.

Did you see his Hall of Fame press conference? One of the saddest things I’ve ever seen. He wasn’t honored, he was depressed because he couldn’t play anymore. I think life away from basketball will continue to expose the dark side of his personality in a real life setting. He probably has enough money to insulate himself but ultimately I think that same competitive fire that made him a world renowned basketball player will also serve as his worst enemy as a civilian.

By: Lewis DVorkin

Lewis DVorkin — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 22:57:05 +0000

As a long-time Knicks fan, Jordan broke my heart more times than I can remember. But there was that Starks dunk that will always live on (and I’m NO Starks fan).

By: Steve McNally

Steve McNally — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 22:15:58 +0000

“X is the new Jordan” is pointless.

Having seen him play a lot – and him destroying my Knicks a lot – it’s odd to come to his “defense,” but most of the factors you state above don’t have to do directly with Jordan. Overblown contracts suck. Me, Me play sucks, too. Over-corporatization of sports takes some fun out of it. Jordan, IMO, didn’t invent any of these things. But you seem pretty down on the man.

The “if x played / boxed when y or z were in their prime, they wouldn’t be All That” is another one I work to avoid. It’s too much work and impossible to be anything but inconclusive.

And to what do you refer with this:

the fact Jordan was quite literally a sociopath when it came to competing

All I can think of is the golf wagering; was that sociopathic? Or am I forgetting other infractions?

LeBron wants to be the next LeBron. He’s doing well at it so far. Seems more of this loathing is better directed at the Scott Borasses of the world than at a tremendously talented and entertaining guy like Mike.

By: Michael Roston

Michael Roston — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 20:33:24 +0000

I’d rather be the next Walter Payton. They name high schools after him in Chicago.

By: Brian Donovan

Brian Donovan — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 20:14:43 +0000

My nominee for the next Air Jordan: Michael Roston.

By: Lewis DVorkin

Lewis DVorkin — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 18:24:13 +0000

The issue is the media… it wants and needs another Jordan. Everyone cast in the role disappoints. Just remember what it took Jordan to get past the Pistons.

By: Graham Kates

Graham Kates — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 01:46:24 +0000

Lebron will get his rings, he’s only 24. MJ didn’t get his first until he was 28.

By: Ali Eteraz

Ali Eteraz — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:09:17 +0000

I think the real question is what LeBron needs around him to win a championship.

He could’ve used Boozer.

He could’ve used Shawn Marion.

A championship team usually has 2 – 3 all-stars on it along with an assortment of great bench players. LeBron is the only all-star in Cleveland.