Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan, also known by his initials, MJ, is an American retired professional basketball player. He is also a businessman, and principal owner and chairman of the Charlotte Hornets. Jordan played 15 seasons in the National Basketball Associationfor the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards. His biography on the NBA website states: "By acclamation, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time." Jordan was one of the most effectively marketed athletes of his generation and was considered instrumental...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionBasketball Player
Date of Birth17 February 1963
CityBrooklyn, NY
CountryUnited States of America
One day, you might look up and see me playing the game at 50. Don't laugh. Never say never, because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion.
There are plenty of teams in every sport that have great players andnever win titles. Most of the time, those players aren't willing tosacrifice for the greater good of the team. The funny thing is, inthe end, their unwillingness to sacrifice only makes individualgoals more difficult to achieve. One thing I believe to the fullestis that if you think and achieve as a team, the individual accoladeswill take care of themselves. Talent wins games, but teamwork andintelligence win championships.
When I play against someone that's new in the league, I make him respect me. They may have heard about me, but now you get to see me actually in front of you. That drives me.
You know what I think? Very few people play because they love the game. Most of them play because they make good money. They keep playing because of the money. I could care less about it. If I don't love the game, no check is going to keep me playing.
I would never play an extra year for money. I play the game because I love it. I just so happen to get paid. If I don't feel I still enjoy the game, I can care less what a year is worth. I'm not going to play the game just because of money.
I think school is very important and I personally had a great experience at North Carolina, which helped shape me as a basketball player and a person. Every once in a while, you will have a player who can make the jump and have an immediate impact on the professional level, but most of the players who come out would absolutely benefit from going to college.
It's easier for me to get ready for a game on the road because you're expected to lose when you play away from home. That's a challenge to right there and that perks my competitive juices.
You remember what you said in 1994 about, 'I think I can guard you, I can shut you down, I would love to play against you?' Well, you're about to get your chance.
Great players never look in the mirror and think I'm a great basketball player. You ask yourself, Am I the best player I can be?
Suddenly all is quiet. The other nine players? They're all moving in slow motion! I'm at normal speed! I know where everyone's going even before they know themselves. The basket is huge, maybe six feet across! How can I miss? It's like throwing a rock into a pond.
There will be a player greater than me.
You're an idiot. You've screwed up every play we ever ran. You're too stupid to even remember the plays. We ought to get rid of you.
It's hard to say if the NBA is hurt by the influx of younger players, but it's definitely impacted the league.
I think the players win the championship, and the organization has something to do with it, don't get me wrong. But don't try to put the organization above the players.