Hi,

Fair call mate, I was born a year after he joined the league. I just don't think it was as bad as has been portrayed. If you've watched the speech and made that assessment, that's cool with me mate.

FWIW I agree with you.

Cheers,
Nik

 

No worries Nik.

 

That writer made it seem way worse than it was. It definitely wasn't like Jon Stockton's speech and it's definitely apparent that he has some insecurities and bitterness.

excerpt:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WNE5...eature=related

 

While some parts were unwarranted I do not think it was half as bad as it is being made out to be. I laughed at many parts and though overall it was pretty good. He took a different approach to the speech and kept it somewhat light and humorous at times and people don't like that. I can understand but I do not agree.

 

I don't think it is as bad as the Yahoo writer made it out to be.

 

Can you give an example of a time that he was like this? Other than that speech, of course.

 

Yup. He tried to be funny and struck out. Maybe he is arrogant. Probably arrogant. Just a blip on the radar of his career.

 

The guy is a insecure pompass ass who does not know how to accept a compliment

Christian

 

I find it hard to believe that after a life of being humble, gracious, appreciative and magnanimous, he would suddenly have a bad moment during one of the most important speeches in his life. His golden public personna during his playing days was the result of an incredibly well managed public image combined with "handling his business in-house." It is widely known that MJ was a degenerate gambler, a womanizer/adulterer, and a notorious bully to his team mates.

I do not agree that atheletes should be subject to the level of "hero worship" they need to uphold to maintain their huge endorsement contracts, however, the hero worship does occur, and many people want to believe that their athelete heroes are perfect and above reproach in nearly every aspect of their lives.

Personally, I find it sad and pathetic that the greatest individual player in NBA history cannot find it within himself to be humble, gracious and appreciative of everyone who helped him get there. Rather, he chose to be arrogant, conceited, self-important and bitter....unable to come to terms with his current place in the world.

Among the truly great leader/atheletes of all time, MJ's Hall of Fame speech will rank among the worst in history.