One of the best parts of the Quarantimes for the majority of sports fans has been the powerful Sunday nights watching footage of Michael Jordan. Who woulda thought that something from the 90s, right before the internet, that had been sealed up for years since it’s recording would provide such an emotional safety net for so many Americans.
One of the many aspects of this legendary 10-part docu-series that’s peaked my interest is the re-ignition of many fans’ debate the Greatest Basketball Player of All Time.
The emotionally heightened, yet blankly unemotional days that we have faced recently have promoted more outlandish arguments. With sports the lack of political or tragic ties remains mainly unattached when debating the GOAT.
Then, once you remember that Kobe Bryant died just a few months ago, your cold, hardened soul goes back to debating still who’s basketball career was better.
Quick note on Kobe Bryant’s death- Many don’t realize but the same day Kobe’s death covered newspapers nationwide, COVID-19 was being announced in the sub-headlines, of the same newspapers nationwide. The link below will demonstrate.. https://www.insider.com/kobe-bryant-death-newspaper-front-pages-2020-1
Strange times indeed. Anyways, I personally do think that MJ, (nickname I forgot I knew him as for my entire youth, as if he was my imaginary friend) is indeed the greatest basketball player of all time. Recently I saw a quote from 1997 of Wilt Chamberlain, which promoted his votes, and raised a new debate.
“Just remember Michael. When you played, they changed the rules to make it easier for you to dominate. When I played, they changed the rules to make it harder for me”
As I read through the volleying responses I was sort of disappointed in the lack of knowledge on Chamberlain all together.
However, as I read on and on throughout the comment debates, something hit me. This is what led to this blog being written. I wanted to note something that my father always told me as I was questioning him on same ponderation of who he thought was the best player.
Im 30, so if you subtract about 25 years you’re looking at about 1995, long before there was any real past-tense debate between Jordan and Lebron, or Jordan and Kobe, or LeBron or Kobe etc. At this point, Jordan had just taken over for Magic and Bird as the premium basketball pinnacle. This is when I learned what basketball was.
When my father learned what basketball was, he learned what it was without as willing of a father as he provided for me many years later. He learned a lot on his own, something I’ve always respected and continue to respect in others like him. One thing he always pointed out when educating me on the game was there was ONLY one guy who not only won more championships than anyone, but also played and coached his team.
What many people forget, that I’ve never let myself forget to mention, is that Bill Russell not only won 11 championships. In his final 3 seasons he played and coached the team.
Just want to reiterate… he coached the team that he was the star on.
That team he coached for 3 years at the end of his career, won 2 championships, marking his 10th and 11th total as a player. (2 as a player and coach)
Leadership is something that resonates with me as it’s something I’ve always admired in heroes. Many of our heroes nowadays don’t have the same leadership qualities that people in America had even 25 years ago.
What’s cool is I’ll always be able to tell the story of my father being a hero for me. I’m grateful for that. I’m also grateful he was able to click inside of me the code of what it means to be a leader, and to uphold that level of decency required as best I can for my entire life.
So in conclusion, Leadership to me, is about the most important quality a person can have, Kobe and Corona happened on the same day in American newspapers, MJ is still the GOAT, Bill Russell coached and played on 2 championship teams, and my Dad is a boss. Tell your friends.
