Michael Jordan: Done

I am not sure how many people care, but you probably already know if you read any US media…but Michael Jordan played his last professional game of basketball last night at age 40. My mum sent me a link to a story with a lot of quotes from him and his perspective(s).

I knew this day was coming and it makes me feel sad.

I essentially “grew up” with Michael Jordan. Born and raised on the North side of Chicago in the 80’s and 90’s - he was a saviour to a kid who loved sports and especially Chicago teams. Ity even brings tears to my eyes as I write this thinking about the Cubbies, Bears, Blackhawks and all the losing they did for so many years and beside the Bears ‘85 Super Bowl, it was a whole lotta nothing until Jordan arrived in ‘83.

By spring of ‘84, every rich kids at school was wearing these Air Jordan shoes and mimicking his one line from a local Chevy commerial: “When I dribe, I dribe a Chevy” (Michael improved his pronunciation quickly thereafter). It was mayhem and all the sportos at school (myself included) were so jazzed that this Basketball saviour landed in Chicago! It would take 8 or so years to win a Championship, but it was worth the wait 6 times over. (he, he)

Some (not all) of my greatest memories from growing up involve a Bulls/Michael Jordan doing somthing spectacular and help restore pride in my Cities Sport teams.

Just after I graduated High School, I was at friends house barbequing and watching the Bulls destory the Lakers in the 1st championship. I just remember being so fucking happy cuz High School was over, College was a few months away, and the Bulls were World Champs as we drove downtown to celebrate with a few million people!

Yellowstone National Park in ‘97, Chris, Freesia and I drove to Bozeman (2 hours away) so we could watch the game. Jordan was sick and the Bulls were struggling and he somehow scored 38 points to pull out the win vs. Utah. As this game was unfolding, everyone knew that Jordan would somehow pull it out and on every commercial break I would walk out of the bar to the street and lightly sob. Witnessing a sick (flu) man through pure will overcome and come out victorious was a beautiful thing for me to watch and I suppose I admired his grittyness and determination. Yes, it is just a game some will say, but at that moment it always felt like it was more than “just a game” and my passion for Chicago and sports became most important.

When looking back at the Michael Jordan years, I see that I was probably caught up in all the Nike ads and media love craz for the man. Which, I will forgive myself for since it started when I was 10 years old. I am not sure that I could love a player so much anymore now that I am 30 and a little skeptical of every potential new star. But I will always love Michael Jordan for sharing so many victories, last second buzzer beaters and mostly for bring a shitload of joy to millions of Chicagoans.