knew the moment I looked into his eyes that we were in trouble. Michael
was pissed, and when Michael is pissed you can forget it" (interviewed on
Above and Beyond video). Jordan's desire has enabled him to reach a
pinnacle that only a select few in the world of sports have attained. He
believes that his type of success comes primarily due to desire. "Look at
Larry Bird (The great Boston Celtic Hall of Famer). He's a prime example.
He was slow. He couldn't jump that well. He had good hands, good ball
handling and shooting skills, and he was smart. But more importantly, he
had a big heart" (Jordan, I'm Back 40). Perhaps this is why Jordan can
continue to dominate his sport at 33 years of age, even after missing almost
two seasons while pursuing a career in baseball.
A lack of desire is probably the reason Jordan decided to retire just two
days before the start of training camp prior to the 1993-94 season. Jordan,
because of the death of his father and feeling he had nothing else to prove,
shocked the sports world when he decided to hang up his "Air Jordans."
However, Jordan did not retire from sports. Instead he sought to accomplish
his father's dream of a career in baseball. Probably even more shocking than
his retirement from basketball was his quest for a life filled with the bus rides
and "Happy Meals" that are so much a part of the daily life of a minor league
baseball player. Many people wondered why Jordan risked the chance of
humiliation. Here was a man who was at the top of his game and now he
was willing to trade all of his fame and success in basketball for a one-in-a-
million chance at playing Major League Baseball. Nevertheless, Jordan's will
persisted and he pursued his father's dream largely because, "Jordan is not
one to bury his talent. He makes the most of what he has. And as he told us
upon embarking on his baseball career, he is 'not afraid to fail."' ( Wall 411).
Apparently, Jordan does not consider failure a reality explaining that, "I never
look at the consequences of missing a big shot. Why? Because when you
think about the consequences you always think of a negative result" (I Can't
10). This positive attitude explains why Jordan always seems to rebound
after a particularly bad game. "Failure always makes me try harder the next
time" (Jordan, I Can't 10). When Jordan decided to return to basketball many
people doubted his chances of equaling the success he had enjoyed before his
retirement. As Wall noted,
Now that Jordan has returned to basketball, he is once again in
danger
of failure. He may not live up to expectations: his skills may be
diminished;
he may not have the stamina to match younger players; capturing a
fourth
NBA title, which many expect the Bulls to do, may be beyond his
grasp.
(412)
Jordan's doubters, however, did not take into consideration his
commitment to excellence. Jordan learned at a very early age that the price
of success was not only very high, but also very available to anyone who was
willing to work hard enough. "After being cut from his high school team as a
sophomore, Jordan put in countless hours of hard work- often alone- on a
playground near his home" (Melia 28). A commitment like Jordan's is rare,
especially in the face of failure. Many people find it much easier to just give
up or to blame someone else for their failure. But Michael Jordan seems to
thrive on being told that he can't do a certain thing. Unfortunately, many in
today's society do not have Jordan's commitment to excellence.
But that's how a lot of people approach things. And that's why a lot
of
people fail. They sound like they're committed to being the best
they can
be. They say all the right things. But when it comes down to it,
they're
looking for reasons for failing instead of trying to find answers.
(Jordan, I
Can't 15)
The proof of Jordan's commitment to excellence came about, ironically,
because of his failure in the 1995 playoffs. The eighteen month lay-off
showed the world a rusty, sometimes worn-out Michael Jordan, and left his
many doubters plenty of ammunition for questioning his return. Jordan must
have drawn from his disappointment in high school, because "after failing to
lead the Bulls to the championship in '95, Jordan returned to camp this
season in the best physical shape of his life" (Ryan B1).
Jordan's failure to provide a miracle during the 1995 NBA playoffs merely
fueled his already relentless attitude toward winning. According to Jordan,
"Winning is all that matters to me. Money comes and goes, but history books
you don't forget" (Smith 269).
It is easy to see the relentlessness in Jordan's face during a game. He appears
to be playing the game as though his life depends on it. As I watched him
perform during the 1996 NBA Finals, I was amazed at the intensity within
him. Former NBA star Magic Johnson revealed that "Mike's attitude toward
the game is simple. He believes the game is his and anyone who tries to take
the game from him will suffer the consequences" (Above and Beyond
Video). Anyone who has ever watched Jordan perform on a basketball court
cannot help but see the emotion he emulates. It is my belief that perhaps
Jordan's best contribution to his team is the fact that he seems to make
everyone play better. He is always giving the credit for victory to his
teammates and almost always tries to divert any accolades towards him to
someone else. He is the ultimate "team player." Explaining his feelings
about the importance of the contribution of the entire team, Jordan stated,
"When we started winning championships, there was an understanding
among all twelve players about what our roles were. We knew our
responsibilities and we knew our capabilities" (I Can't 22). Jordan is so
convinced that winning is derived from teamwork that he "would rather have
five guys with less talent who are willing to come together as a team than five
guys who consider themselves stars and aren't willing to sacrifice" (Jordan, I
Can't 24).
Perhaps his ability to bring the best out of average-at-best teammates,
adds to the mystique of Michael Jordan. Whenever we watch him in action
we are amazed at the many miraculous feats he performs on the hardwood.
Many NBA players join fans in their marvel at his spectacular play.
Alexander Wolff wrote, "The Lakers' Michael Cooper, arguably the best
defender of all time once said about Jordan, 'You don't know what he's going
to do. He goes left, then right, over you, under you, and sometimes, I swear,
I think he disappears"' (Wolff 130). Jordan has transcended the NBA and the
entertainment business. He is the most recognizable athlete in the history of
sports. As Sam Smith so appropriately pointed out, "When Michael Jordan
decided to return to basketball, they stopped the presses. Only Jordan could
pre-empt the O.J. trial. He's back! And the world is glad" (Smith 15). I
imagine, however, that the thoughts of Jordan returning to the NBA sent
shivers down the spines of many in the NBA, especially those who have to
try and guard him. According to Terry Melia, "Kevin Johnson (the Phoenix
Sun fleet footed guard) summed it up most appropriately when he said,
'Mike's the only player in the league who can make you appreciate getting
your ass made look like a fool. He's that good"' (Melia 28). It is the Jordan
mystique that causes fans to spend millions of dollars each year on the Nike
shoes and apparel that Jordan endorses. A shoe clerk from Just For Feet shoe
stores said in an interview, "Every time his new shoe hits the store we have to
open two hours early" (Above and Beyond video).
Even though Jordan's skills are not what they once were, they are still far
superior to most players in the NBA. As I watched Jordan and his beloved
Bulls capture the 1996 NBA title, I could not help but realize that this man
was more than just a great basketball player with great athletic skills. He is
truly one of the few great American heroes. Very few men are legends in
their own time, but Jordan, much like John Wayne, Martin Luther King, and
Bear Bryant, is much bigger than life, and like these three legends Jordan has
reached his destiny because of his dedication to what he believes in. Simply
put, Jordan is successful because of his refusal to fail. His will is so strong
that he just will not accept anything less than success. I imagine that the
heartbreak he experienced as a teen when he was cut from the high school
team was tremendous. It would have been very easy for Jordan to have given
up on his dream of basketball greatness right then and there. But,
thankfully, Jordan's commitment to excellence was too great. What a tragedy
it would have been if he had reacted the way most teens do. Imagine if the
world never had the opportunity to be touched by his life. I wonder how
many potentially great Americans have quit seeking their dream because of
some type of failure. But that type of reaction is not a part of Michael Jeffrey
Jordan, because, after all, there is never any room for quitting inside a
Champion's heart.
