Michael Jordan Can't Let Go of Old Hurts During HOF Speech

It's hard to listen to a filthy-rich man complain about the price of tickets for his enshrinement in his sport's hall of fame.

But that, among other cringe-worthy moments is exactly what Michael Jordan did.

Friday's ceremony in Springfield, Mass., inducting not just MJ but also C. Vivian Stringer, Jerry Sloan, John Stockton and David Robinson, was reportedly moved to a larger venue to accommodate the number of people who wanted to watch it all.

And Jordan duly noted that the price seemed four times higher than he remembered, just in time for him to have to purchase a whole host of them for his family and friends.

Uncomfortable as much of the speech made me, I was riveted to the screen. Jordan doesn't often put himself in positions to be candid when the greater public is listening. What we see is mostly golf course video, shots of him attending Bobcats games and some red carpet appearances.

This was a whole heck of a lot more entertaining. As I noted on my Twitter page, he seemed to be settling old scores despite the fact that all former foes have been vanquished.

If he didn't think they had submitted, then he made sure that happened. If he knew it then this was mere gloating or a gift to those of us who have never heard the unapologetic and competitive Jordan.

Either way you look at it, the video of the speech is must-see entertainment. If you want to see video of the other inductees' remarks I suggest you pick either Stockton's or David Robinson's to watch and compare with MJ's. NBA.com video segments can be found, here

The contrast is stark because the personalities are vastly different but also due to the tone they each struck in their remarks. Whether The Admiral or Stockton are truly at this seemingly peaceful place, I can't be certain.

But what I do know is that they used their spotlight moment to reflect, give thanks, enlighten us about the journey and bask in the glow. I think Jordan thought he was doing just that, but in his own way.

Follow Paula Duffy on Twitter: www.twitter.com/jurisdiva

Comments

[ManTanQue]

That speech was the truth. I completely understand and relate to what Micheal Jordon was saying. If you look back in your life at what motivated you, and pushed you to be the person you are today, you would understand the point of that speech.
The speech was not to massage his ego, or to be petty, it was to his fans and his followers to let them know that you determine your own limits, not others. He used his friends, family, and coaches were his motivation, and a challenge to be the best.

[Madmac]

Paula what speech did you see? If this speech was so horrible, then why did I laugh my a** off. This was the best Hall of Fame Speech ever. He just told everyone what inspired him and thanked everyone who motivated him to be the Greatest of All Time. He took every slight whether real or perceived and made himself the Greatest Basketball Player of All Time. He showed everyone the competitor within and everyone's flipping out.

[aftershock]

You and I must've listened to different speeches. I heard an emotional Jordan simply recounting his life story (as he said, what don't we already know). He showed his ever present competitiveness, but that's what made him who he was and is to this day, the greatest. What's funny though is he even showed that what drives his uber competitiveness is his lack of ego that many pro athletes possess. He doesn't consider himself the greatest, he's always striving for more, to be better. Where are the athletes like this for the current generation of kids? Lebron (I'm a poor loser) James? Kobe (I'm better than you Shaq) Bryant? I don't think he recounted these stories begrudgingly, just that these tales are all part of what made him who he is today. What if his high school coach hadn't cut him? Would Jordan have practiced day and night to be good enough to make the team? What if Russel hadn't teased him out of retirement, would he have made one of the greatest shots in sports history? These are simply moments that define Jordan for who he is. Maybe I see it differently because he's kind of like my dad. You don't tell people like them they can't do something, they'll make it their life mission to prove they can.

[MyNameIsJames]

I saw his speech and I was stunned - I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

Well, I thought about it over the weekend and I realized that he was trying to acknowledge all of those who drove him to improve his basketball game and excel . He really struggled to express this sentiment in an eloquent and gracious way.

He was also clumsy in his attempts at humor - such as the price of tickets and calling Van Gundy - "that little guy"

He looked a little tipsy to me - did anyone else notice that?

I was most disappointed that he didn't acknowledge his Championship teammates by name (with the exception of Pippen) A bunch of them were at the induction ceremony to support him.
That saddened me.

[JimR]

Sounds like you saw a different speech than I did. Jordan was talking about some of the people that motivated him along the way. He began by talking about how competitive his brother and sisters were. Bryon Russell motivated him by challenging him to play, though Jordan had recently retired from basketball. The coach who cut him as a teenager. He is an extremely competitive person, and even things like Pat Riley still being in the hotel suite he had reserved is looked at as a challenge. All of these things motivated him to work harder and do better. He left a lot of people scratching their heads when he selected David Thompson to stand up for him at the ceremony. But as he explained, Thompson inspired him as a child, and he wanted to become a better basketball player and to someday proved he belonged with the greats. He succeeded.

As for the price of tickets, I was shocked the HOF does not allow family member of inductees to get in free. And no matter how much money you have, $1000 is a LOT to pay for each ticket. Just because you have a lot of money doesn't mean you like to pay outrageous prices.

[hopefull2008]

Well, the attributes that made him one of the greatest sporting competitors of all time probably don't help him in having a very rounded personality. It sounds like he just can't stop competing. Hopefully he will find a bit more peace some day, he deserves it for all the joy he brought to so many sports fans all over the world.

[GiannaX]

59???? Michael Jordan was born in 1963 which makes him 46.

[Taurusita]

Who can blame Michael Jordan for being a little PO'd. I sure would be...If you consider that Larry Bird was inducted back in 1996, one must question why it took so long to give Michael Jordan his rightful place in the Basketball Hall of Fame too!

[Paula Duffy - Huffpost Blogger]

Taurita: Bird came into the league 5 years earlier than Jordan and when he retired he stay retired. There is a mandatory waiting time for players to be placed on HOF ballot. Jordan un-retired and played for Washington Wizard thus losing his original waiting period time frame.

Thanks for reading and commenting,

Paula Duffy

[RogerHWerner]

Who can blame Jordan? If he were a petulant child perhaps he could be forgiven his pettiness but the man is 59 years old and is a multimillionaire many times over. He's got nothing to whine about. Nada. Jordan was a marvelous basketball player. One of the best if not the best. But not to point too finer of a point on the matter, as man his personality is beneath his foreskin. His approaching old age and he seems to have learned nothing about what's important in life. All that matter's is what's important to Michael Jordan. He's been that way all his life and why not? When he was a kid he could play ball better than anyone else and everyone who knew him made excuses for him. You're doing it now and he's been retired for how long?

[JimR]

Jordan is only 46.