Michael Jordan and LeBron James: LBJ Proves Times Are Different in NBA
"But that's...things are different. I can't say that's a bad thing. It's an opportunity these kids have today. In all honesty, I was trying to beat those guys."
Although Michael Jordan said these words as respectfully as he could about the LeBron James "Decision," it was evident he felt an aspect of the NBA has slipped away since his time.
Competitiveness.
Michael Jordan was one of the most competitive athletes in sports history, and probably the most competitive athlete in NBA history.
Jordan played to win. There is no doubt about that.
But at what cost?
Who can say it better than the man himself.
"I was trying to beat those guys."
No matter what, Jordan wanted to win on his own accord. Never would he have sold out and joined forces with the premier players in the league during his time. An action like that was unthinkable.
Aren't these dream teams supposed to be for the Olympics? It's always a treat to watch the best players in the world play on the same team for a short period of time. It allows basketball fans to live in a dream world.
But now that three of the best players in the league are on one team, it will start to get old after awhile.
You may not believe me now. This may seem like the greatest thing that has ever happened to professional basketball, but you will soon begin to see the ramifications of LeBron Jame's, Dwyane Wade's, and Chris Bosh's actions.
There are basically three teams now in the league who are going to dominate: the Los Angeles Lakers, the Miami Heat, and the Boston Celtics.
What good is that for the NBA?
No good.
The reason why the NBA is different today is because of this dream of winning championships.
Players are so wrapped up in this idea, they are blind to their actions.
Winning championships is the only way to be remembered as one of the best to play the game.
I beg to differ.
What about John Stockton? Elgin Baylor? George Gervin? Dominique Wilkins?
These players will always be considered some of the best talent ever to pick up a basketball, and they never won a championship.
Sure, they would have loved to win championships.
Who wouldn't?
But these greats played through the tough times and didn't join forces with others, which is what made the NBA such a competitive league for all those years.
Winning championships elevates players like Michael Jordan to immortal status, but like Jordan, Stockton and Baylor will be remembered for their individual competitive nature, not their ability to market themselves in the news.
It's sad to watch, but the Miami Heat were able to buy "The Big Three," and that is why they won the LeBron James Sweepstakes.
Money bought these three players, but money cannot buy a legendary status.
Times are certainly different, and we are watching the individual competitive nature of the NBA players disintegrate right before our eyes, to be replaced by the marketing skills of NBA teams.
"The Big Three" have set the standard. Pretty soon other teams with money will be looking to buy super teams to have a chance against the Miami Heat.
What a shame to watch three brilliant individual players sell out so quickly, just to try to win a championship.
Sorry guys, but even if you win seven championships together, you still won't be among the all-time greats in my book.
Competitiveness is the driving force behind sports' popularity. Watching individuals battle and grind it out until the final seconds of a hard fought game—that is what sports is all about.
It shouldn't be about buying a dream team.
Michael Jordan and the other greats realized this, which is why they will always be remembered and respected forever.
Times in the NBA are different, but that doesn't mean they are for the best.
