what a classless speech from a classless guy... taking potshots at former rivals at a HOF acceptance speech... that's gotta be a new low for this guy... greatest player to ever play, yes, but still an ass.

Posted by TMS:

what a classless speech from a classless guy... taking potshots at former rivals at a HOF acceptance speech... that's gotta be a new low for this guy... greatest player to ever play, yes, but still an ass.

I had the exact same reaction.

I couldn't sleep last night and woke up really early - I flicked on NBA TV and caught Stockton, Springers, Sloans and Jordan's speeches.

I thought that Stockton, Springer and Sloans speeches were all VERY humble. They went out of their way to say thank you to the many people who both touched and shaped their lives. In fact I thought Springer was the most impressive of the three - I've known about her but it was the first time I'd heard her speak and she was so calm and humble. She certainly came across as an absolutely classy lady. I thought both Stockton and Sloan did fine - both are shy guys who hate the public arena but both handled the evening with class and some dry humor.

Then the greatest player of our generation took the stage and I was ready for speech that would rival his playing days. Jordan's speech was about 1 person and nobody else - it was all about the GREAT Michael Jordan and how he himself willed himself to the top of the basketball world. He paid little to NO homage to his former teammate, former coaches, his university, the Bulls organization, the NBA or the Hall of Fame.

He acted like an obnoxious full of himself high school football hero who thinks the world revolves around him. Off the top of my head I can recall him taking shots at David Thompson, Pat Riley, Jerry Krause, Bryan Russell, Jeff VanGundy, Doug Collins, Dean Smith, North Carolina University, the Hall of fame itself, Isiah Thomas, Larry Bird & George Gervin. He hardly even spoke about his children and I don't think he mentioned his ex-wife the mother of his children. He mentioned his mother but almost in passing (I love the woman to death" -- and I can't remember him mentioning his father once (but may have missed that). I don't recall him paying any tribute to a high school coach, his praise for Smith was vague, as was any acknowledgement towards Collins.

I have to say -- the NBA's greatest player -- gave the most dreadful speech in the history of hall of fame speeches and his image will forever be tarnished.
He showed himself to be an uneducated self-absorbed baffoon.

He gave props to Pippen

I watched his speech as he delivered it and I have to say I had a very different reaction - I thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought it was highly entertaining, funny and brought a real electricity and energy to the event. I loved his going around the room and busting balls with all the other stars of the sport from his era. I thought it brought a real human element to the event and made his speech actually interesting as opposed to how these things can be more rote and pc.

I enjoyed the HOF Speech by MJ23. Sure, he could have been very conventional in his approach. ALA David Robinson (Delivered an Eloquent Speech IMO).

Jumpman could've given praise to opponents, what have you; but He didn't, and I understand... its ok! This is who Michael Jordan was on the court! A highly competitive iconic basketball figure that spared absolutely "NO ONE"!

I think that his ESPN interview showed his appreciation of the sport, and also gave us insight on the character of MJ. He didn't believe, and still doesn't choose to accept the label of being the "Greatest Basketball Player that ever Lived". Primarily because he says there is no proof! Its disrespectful to the other greats that played the game to make such a claim, especially if he never competed against them.

Take the HOF speech as a "tongue and cheek" kind of thing. Similar to a comedy "Roast"!

If we had anyone on this team with the competitive fire of Jordan and the desire to be better, we'd be in the playoffs.

"there is no 'I' in team, but there is 'I' in win" - love it!

Posted by BRIGGS:

Nothing wrong with his speech--it's the way he communicates. I think you have to have heard him for 20 years--he always speaks like that. He's a guy who is highly motivated by different things and he just shows it when he talks. I don't think he is purposely being disrespectful. Just the fact that JVG got into the speech was pretty cool--I'm sure JVG loved it. You could see that he wishes he was out there as a 25 year old playing hoops just like he could before--and any older person can understand that. You do something your whole life and then have to stop.

[Edited by - BRIGGS on 09-13-2009 11:06 AM]

that was the coolest hof speech. the fact that sportswriters didnt get it just makes them suspect as sportswriters.

Absolutely nothing wrong with his speech. Probaly could have avoided the Krause situation, but other than that I found it entertaining, funny etc. The only people having problems with his speech are people who already didn't like him and are looking for "more wood to add to the fire" as Jordan would say.

i thought there were some parts of his speech that seemed good natured and fun, but there were other parts that seemed petty. dude was definitely rubbing it in. i think the vibe that i don't like about it is that all his competitors tipped their cap to him. they acknowledged his greatness, but he still had to rub it in. the way he came at byron russell was lame. leave the dude alone. i'm surprised jordan didn't find time to mention how many times he made craig ehlo his bitch. the fact that all he had to say to his children and family was "i wouldn't want to be you" was kinda pathetic. all in all, it wasn't the worst speech ever, but he could have been a little more gracious and still had some fun.

The speech was offensive in spots, however I think it really gave you a handle on the kind of person he is that is motivated by one thing, being the best at all costs and constantly feeling that he needs to prove it. Is it somewhat shallow, sure. But imagine being better then anyone ever to do something and trying to remain humble. It's really not all that easy.

I loved when he talked about the Oakman hitting him harder than anyone in the league and thats his best friend. But there really wasn't a need to gloat.