So I read David Brooks’ column in The New York Times today and found it interesting, but made a mental note to myself to check out Michael Jordan’s Hall of Fame acceptance speech. Here’s what Brooks writes: ” … there is Michael Jordan’s egomaniacal and self-indulgent Hall of Fame speech …”
Hmmmmm. Not seeing that at all. Anyone?
Some people were mad that he didn’t do the typical HOF acceptance speech. You know the one. Thanks Mom/Dad/God, guy who drafted me, guy who coached me, teammates, etc. Then add funny and/or inspiring story. Tears liberally inserted throughout.
Jordan was a great basketball player but he was never a nice guy. On top of that, he might have been the most competitive athlete ever. The man hated to lose at anything. Basketball, cards, golf, you name it. The stories he told were accurate representations of who he was and who he is. If you want to be inspired by his burning desire to be great and his ultimate success at doing so, then he is as fine an example as you are going to encounter. If you want cute and cuddly you’ll have to look elsewhere.
Thanks for the post. I get what you’re saying. The people he named were mostly those who helped him get his competitive edge. I guess I just don’t see that as egomaniacal. Or negative.
Maybe it’s because much of my success has been fueled by people who told me I couldn’t do something. That’s quite a motivator.