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Lessons can be learned from Jordan
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(AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
"I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, i've been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."-Michael Jordan
That quote right there is in my opinion, not only one of the best in sports but in life overall. It was a statement made from Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest basketball player off all-time. What some would beleive to be a simple statement, to me is something deeper and is what makes Jordan even more of an iconic figure.
Looking past the championships, Olympic medals, scoring titles, and MVP's, as Jordan prepares to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame tonight along with David Robinson, John Stockton, Jerry Sloan, and C. Vivian Stringer, many lessons can be learned from the guy that everybody wants to be like, Mike.
MJ's story is an inspirational one, yet many downplay that and fail to realize as the bright lights of his on court play and sneaker commercials have no doubt covered his humble beginnings. Growing up in Wilmington, NC, he was not one of these child prodigies gracing the cover of national publications (hello, Sebastin Telfair). Nope, Mike wanted to be the best at the local part. He entered high school with little fanfare. You know the story, he was cut from the varsity in his second year at Laney High School. This is where te first lesson lies. In a world where some high school juniors have been playing varsity ball since they were in middle school, a child who can't make his sqaud thinks he has no hope. Alas, the story of Jordan.
He used this setback as motivation. Whenever he trained and wanted to quit, he remembered that list without his name and got right back to work. That is what today's generation is missing. One setback and they are ready to give in. This can be used not only in sports, but in all aspects of life. Fiailing a test, getting cut, getting ifred does not make your life. It is all apart of the journey. Jordan's led him to the Hall of Fame.
We all know what happened after getting cut. He went on to become the school star and earned a scholarship to play under Dean Smtih at North Carolina. From there, well his reputation grew as much as his highlights have been shown on ESPN. This is where another lesson comes. Today's athlete does not know what it means to earn their keep. Many are given the world as soon as they turn pro. Despite being the best in the game, Mike was also the hardest worker. How many coaches can say that about their best player? Not too many I'm guessing. MJ showed people that no matter how high elevated you are, never get complacent. He worked and worked, knowing there was always room for improvement.
You can argue for days about who was the best ball player. Wilt, Larry, Magic, West, Russell, MJ. For me, I witnessed Mike in his prime and that is what I am basing my opinion on. He is the best. If I were alive to see the greatness of older players, I may think differently. I base his greatness not only his ability to leap over tall buildings and to seel sneakers. I base it on his ability to teach. So many people shy away from kids looking up to athletes. I beg to differ. Looking up to MJ is not too bad of a think. The parents need to stress to them however to not only llok up to his God given talent, but his way of life. In whatever it is you do, don't let your past failures dictate your future, stay true to yourself, and most importantly work for what you want. You may not be MJ on the court, but you can be in your chosen field.
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