This is POWERFUL!!! I will be the first to say that its a pretty good chance that Lbj will never be considered greater than MJ and thats not due to 6-0 record in the finals, 6 finals mvps, Scoring average or different level of killer instinct. MJ propelled the league and tge game of basketball forward in a way unfathomable. The word Brand was born through MJs evolution. He was corporate Americas perfect weapon. An African American that had a chip on a shoulder but not for/against them. In terms of Branding you might say he was the modern day Jackie Robinson. Like Jackie, Kept his mouth shut, never bickered about conditions, treatment, etc. Never made a fuss about any social issues at all. No complaints or grievances. He just showed up and played ball with occasional bad press (gambling), mishaps in character (infidelity), blunders (baseball career) and tragedies (fathers death). His prowess on the court and brand off it made us forgive his trangressions. He was like Jackie, what the game needed at that time. It was also what our race needed as well during and well after the fact. That is where the Jackie Robinson/MJ comparisons end. I waited for one of the mist powerful men in sports to use his power for us and it never came. Fast forward to LBJ, no need to list the accolades and achievements. (Please note that there are things MJ/LBJ has done that the other did not or could not do but as that list of did not do dwindles for Lbj, the list of did not do grows for MJ in this regard) I find it more fitting to highlight his off the court moves like switching the nba paradigm in trends, culture and most importantly, power. He is a model citizen, excellent ambassador of the game but also a great man and father. Even his least shining monent can be debated due to whst he has done for children with his non profit program that coincidently picked up major steam after the decision. But even more notable has been his willingness to speak out and speak for those and issues that need that to be done. Its been a rarity to see an African American athlete at the top of his field wield his power in this manner. Thats every bit admirable as it is inspiring and impressive. So in the debate of who will go down as the greatest it truly comes down to ones perspective in life and what values and standards govern it. For me? When i think of greatness i envision consistency of excellence that covers on and off the field. When i thinkl of greatness i think Jim Brown, Bill Russell, Muhammed Ali and of course Jackie Robinson. Lbj has quite a way to go, not in time but in level of consistency. I bet he will be mentioned in the same breath as these guys on the regular with the same reverence and adulation. Of all the groups of greatness to be a part of, that is the one that he should strive to be a part of and by the way he moves, i believe it is. Its more difficult to achieve. Heres something to ponder, For Mjs greatness group, it only took LBJ relatively 10 years and 2 rings to be accepted. Marinate on that a moment #weareallwitness #whoyouwit #contentofcharacter #striveforgreatness
Posted on: Thu, 30 Oct 2014 19:38:25 +0000