In the last episode of the ESPN documentary "The Last Dance", which was broadcast on Netflix, Barack Obama says about Michael Jordan:
"He has become an important ambassador of basketball around the world. Michael and his Bulls changed the culture”.
One of his biggest rivals, Reggie Miller, called him "Black Jesus".
It's been a long time since Michael Jordan retired, and a great documentary series has made sure that one of the greatest athletes of all time is once again the most relevant sports figure in the world - even though it's been years since his last game for Chicago on June 14, 1998. even 22 years.
Why, in fact, are people still so obsessed with the Flying Mother? Many things about Jordan were known before, but "The Last Dance" shed new light on them.
Win at all costs
If we learned anything about Jordan from the ESPN documentary, it's that he not only loves to win - he hates not winning!
Cameras and testimonies of various actors of his famous basketball story showed how he defies absolutely everything - from club doctors, to alleged food poisoning in order to go on the court and win, to inventing personal intolerances with rivals in order to take revenge. He once hit teammate Steve Kerr in training to motivate him.
After six titles with Chicago (three rings in two terms), he eventually retired a little nervous, just because he didn't get the chance to win a seventh title at age 35.
- It's crazy when you leave at the peak - he said.
Chicago did not offer him a new, at least one-year contract.
- I feel that I could have won the seventh title. I can't accept that I didn't even try!
Jordans and sneaker culture
Sneakers signed by Michael Jordan, which the best basketball player of all time wore in his debut NBA season in 1984/85, were sold at auction for an unbelievable 560 thousand dollars!
Brand "Air Jordan" - popular Jordan women, started a kind of sneaker culture in the late 80's and early 90's of the last century.
They were released for the first time in 1985. By 1986, the Nike company earned $100 million from their sales.
At first, Jordan did not want to sign a contract with Nike, but he agreed to the persuasion of his father and his former agent, David Falk.
Falk later revealed the strategy:
- We tried to take a team player and treat him more like a golfer, boxer or tennis player. It worked!
He influenced a whole generation of players
One of the biggest players who talks about Jordan's influence on him is the late Kobe Bryant. In "The Last Dance" he talks about the duel with Jordan at the All-Star Weekend in New York in 1998.
- I grew up watching Michael on TV. Now I have the opportunity to meet him - face to face - said Bryant.
He says Jordan was "like a big brother" to him in providing guidance.
- What you got from me - it's from him! I wouldn't have won five titles without him. He was my guide - added Bryant.
He retired at the peak, then came back
In 1993, after three consecutive championship titles with Chicago, Jodan decided to retire from basketball - he became part of a professional baseball club, joining the Birmingham Barons. The sports world was in shock - Michael was 32 years old and the best in the world.
He emphasized his lack of motivation to play basketball at the time, but it is also clear that he was deeply affected by the death of his father (who always encouraged him to play baseball). However, Jodran returned to the Chicago Basketball Club in March 1995 and went on to lead the Bulls to three consecutive championship rings.
The first billionaire athlete
It was a pre-digital age, so Jordan's star shines even more impressively in the 90s.
Forbes estimates his net worth at $2,1 billion. He earned "only" 90 million dollars from playing basketball, and another 1,7 billion from corporate partners.
Space Jam
Many are excited about Space Jam 2 starring LeBron Jays, but it's clear that it will have to be very, very good to top the 1996 original - starring Michael Jordan.
Jordan then teamed up with Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and others, as well as Bill Murray, to defeat the cartoon gang. Ultimate entertainment.
Chicago was average without him
Chicago in the 90s is one of the greatest basketball dynasties of all time.
It is true, however, that the club from the windy city has never before, nor after Michael Jordan, become an NBA champion.
Six Jordan titles, six Chicago Bulls titles. So Jordan is Chicago, Chicago is Jordan - pretty much.
Bonus video:
