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The Mythical Bar Set by Michael Jordan

By | September 2, 2011|

When aspiring basketball athletes play on empty street courts or run-down gymnasiums, their idea of basketball perfection is expressed through Michael Jordan’s greatness. As the ball is released from the players’ hands, the one word that is shouted is “Jordan,” with hopes of the basketball going through the net.

No other basketball player has influenced the world as much as Michael Jordan, and there does not seem to be any current athlete who will come close to his achievements both on and off the court. Even though current debaters will refute with “but LeBron James will be better” and “Kobe Bryant is just as great,” there is no doubt that their success will no way reach Jordan’s accomplishments.

Before Michael Jordan started his NBA career as a Chicago Bull, and before he started his college career as a Tar Heel at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he was just a high school student aspiring to play on the varsity team. Jordan was rejected as a sophomore because he was not tall enough, but just like any other great athlete, he responded to this rejection with perseverance. He continued to practice, and eventually landed a spot on the team.

Next: Jordan’s Life in College

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About the author

Steven Almazan

I was born and raised in Boyle Heights, CA. I am a junior at the University of Southern California with a double major in Psychology and Communication. Follow me on Twitter @scalmazan or connect with me on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenalmazan

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  • JSlikk21

    this guy sounds like a Jordan fan rather than a Basketball Fan

  • JSlikk21

    this guy sounds like a Jordan fan rather than a Basketball Fan

  • Chris_reng

    Ya it doesn’t matter that when Jordan was drafted it was by a horrible team, he had nobody to help til scottie pippen came a couple years later, where love was drafted 13th then traded to a good team with the likes of shaq who was very dominant at the time. So love didn’t have to start scoring all of the points and carrying a garbage team early. Hence the reason Jordans rookie stats are so much better. Then compare love was 18 when he joined, Jordan played in college so subtract the few years from Jordan nd throw him in the bbq’d at 18 and see how good he does! This writer is a joke! He’s clearly a Jordan fan nd only throws facts out there that prove his point instead of the whole truth.Jordan was great, but he wasn’t a god.feel free to compare the scoring between like Kevin durant and Jordan before love and Jordan, they have way more similar first couple nba years.

    • Chris_reng

      Kobe not love lol. Stupid auto correct..K

    • iQ

      Ummm… Did everyone just kind of overlook the fact that Kobe didn’t start until his second or third season in the league??? Of course his numbers are lower.. He was only 17, 18 years old his rookie season….

  • http://profiles.google.com/shanesfm Shane Bruhanski

    Wow!  This guy had a lot of balls posting this complete crap of an article on Lakers Nation.  That’s like me spewing an article about how Kobe would dominate Jordan on a Bulls forum or a Jordan Forum.  What an idiot. 
    Jordan failed and failed and failed again.  In fact he fact for like 7 years until finally Scottie reached his potential and became his right hand man.  Kobe didn’t start his first 2 years-he played 2nd string so rookie season comparisons are null and void.  Phil has stated that Kobe is AS clutch as Jordan and Kobe was smarter and more skilled, but Jordan had the Million Dollar hands-referring to Jordans long fingers. 
    There are sooo many failures that people like this guy seem to brush under the rug or are ill-advised about.  Either because of lack of age or there being a lack of anything in that pee size brain. 
    There is one thing this article was right on and that would be with the word in the title: Mythical.  Couldn’t have said it any better.  haha

    • Chess Master

      Find me the quote that Phil said Kobe was as clutch, smarter and more skilled as Jordan. Yes Jordan had large hands which helped but Jordan was the smartest basketball player ever.  How can Kobe be smarter when on many nights his decision making is questionable (not passing, running into other players, clearing people out when they are open, forcing ugly, unnecessary tough shots). Jordan rarely did that in his career. Jordan’s game came so easy too him, always in control and within the system.  Kobe’s game still looks rough around the edges, sometimes forced and out of control.

      • homea

        Jordan rarely did that in his career? His first few years in the league, people criticized him for being too selfish and like Kobe, Jackson had to shape him so that he would fit well into the Triangle. You don’t know what you’re talking about.

      • Brian72johnson

        Kobe will never be better then MJ! LET IT GOOOOOOO . 6 RINGS . Nerd!!!
        Kobe has more skillz LOL. OK. STOP POSTING B.S. MJ IS IN ANOTHER PLANET!!!

  • Mannyhx111

    What the hell… Isn’t this Lakers Nation? Why the hell are the posting about Jordan….I don’t give crap what they say Kobe is still the best

    • john poe

      ulol, remember the 2006 playoffs, game 7 against phoenix suns, Kobe just to make a point elected to be uncharacteristically a passive basketball player.  He let is team down just to prove to people that the Lakers will be nothing without him and the lost the series (after leading it 3-1).
      If that would be you measuring stick of the greatest basketball player, then go ahead put him above Michael Jordan, or any other basketball “greats” because even those guys wouldn’t want to have a teammate like that….

      • Tbeckham2

        Fantastic garbage.  He had 23 points at halftime and we were down by 15.  In every victory against the Suns, he was more facilitator than scorer.  Hell, the game before he scored 50 and they lost.  If you’re really going to use that as a measuring stick, then your perspective is skewed.  What about all of those times Jordan lost to the Pistons?  People bring up 6/24, and forget MJ went 15-35…but they both won, and in the end, that’s all that matters.  Anytime I see these garbage explanations, it sickens me, the same bs at Truehoop with Abbot’s articles that come from having his team daggered forever by the Bling Dynasty.  MJ wasn’t perfect, neither is Kobe, the one thing they share in common is being the best players of their generation.

  • Paul_Haramis

    im pretty sure that michael jordan was not always in control of the game or else he wouldnt have missed a shot and he wouldve avg like 50 pts a game. Kobe is right there with him. Take away kobes first two years which he was on the bench and hes less then 2 pts off jordans stats. the only major difference is fg% which is bc kobe takes more shots outside the paint. Jordans stats are only spiked bc he played with a horrible team for his first 7 yrs. If kobe did that he wouldve had 5 seasons like his 2005-2006 season which he put up 35 pts a game. so dont say kobe isnt as good bc your wrong completely. If Kobe wins two rings he should be in the discussion for GOAT but theres too many ignorant jordan lovers like yourself for his greatness to be recognized

  • Zoran3308

    I can’t wait until Kobe wins his 6th ring next season (if there is one) then his 7th and possibly 8th ring in the next few years so we can end this Jordan shit. I’m sick of it. Kobe is the best player in te world
    bottom line and after he passes Jordans ring count he will b the GOAT!!!!! Fuck Jordan

  • Brian72johnson

    Lebron better and Kobe just as great! PLZ. NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Brian72johnson

    LAKER NATION IS DEAD!!!! 6 RINGS B”TCHS!!!!

  • Metta World Peace

    Don’t know what gym you speak of when people say “Jordan”. Around these parts, real ballers yell “Kobe” when they hit game winning shots.

  • Metta World Peace

    Don’t know what gym you speak of when people say “Jordan”. Around these parts, real ballers yell “Kobe” when they hit game winning shots.

  • Lostangel25

    I have to say that the people that commented saying that mj is not the best player to ever platy the game you people clearly having seem him play and this is coming from a Kobe fan…lakers all day baby

  • Broncos4eva27

    Bean Bryant was 17 and didn’t even play his rookie year whereas jordan was asked to dominate from the beginning

  • Money23

    MJ=GOAT. Watch the tape folks. The tape don’t lie. You Kobe lovers probably have never even seen Jordan play. Jordan’s skills are out of this world. Watch the tape. And after watching the tape if you don’t agree. Your preciption of reality is gone.