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Jordan Rules: There is a Reason it’s Old School
Michael Jordan was casually asked what he thought about Lebron James’ move to Miami, and he politically, questioned Lebron James’ competitiveness.
“There’s no way, with hindsight, I would’ve ever called up Larry, called up Magic and said, ‘Hey, look, let’s get together and play on one team. But … things are different. I can’t say that’s a bad thing. It’s an opportunity these kids have today. In all honesty, I was trying to beat those guys.”
Let’s really break that down. When Jordan entered the league in the ‘84-’85 season, he was 21 years old. Magic? Already had been in the league for 5 years and was 25 years of age. Larry Bird? 28 years of age and in the league for 5 years, too.
Now, what about championships? Well, Bird won in 1981, 1984, and 1986 with his Celtics while Magic won in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988. Jordan of course won in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998. Now, remember, Jordan said, “In all honesty, I was trying to beat those guys.” That was in reference to Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.
So, did Jordan really beat “those guys”?
Shockingly, the answer is no, not even close.
Larry Bird retired after the 1992 season. He was 36 years old and still had some game left, but retired mostly because he was physically broken down. Magic Johnson retired in 1991 because he announced he had contracted the HIV virus and needed to look into his health at age 32. He inspired many to do the same and take HIV more seriously. He did come back for the 1995-1996 season for one last season helping his Lakers get to the playoffs at age 37.
Jordan won his titles after the Larry Bird era and after the Magic Johnson era. Sure, he won one in 1991, but Larry Bird was already 36 and on his way out of the game at that time and Magic, although a bit younger than Bird and clearly with more game still left, was forced out of the game arguably in his prime.
The Houston Rockets, lead by Hakeem Olajuwon, won the 1994 and 1995 titles. Most critics say it was only because Jordan had retired at that time to get away from the game. Yet those same critics don’t cite the fact that Bird was retired and Magic was forced out with the HIV virus. It would have been great to see how those Olajuwon-lead Rocket teams would fare against the Jordan-lead Bulls teams.
Still, all of this fantasy hindsight is overlooking one critical thing – those teams didn’t win championships because of Bird, Magic, or Jordan alone. They were very, very good teams.
Quick – why do Celtic fans refer to the current team as being based on the Big Three? Well, that is because they had their original big three in the 80’s when they were winning titles and fighting with the Lakers every season to do battle for the hardware. They had Bird and Kevin McHale and Robert Parrish (and an excellent bench that saw the likes of Bill Walton riding pine and Danny Ainge playing a key role). The Lakers? Sure, they had Magic, but they also had James Worthy and Kareem Abdul Jabaar.
Now Jordan would like you to think it was because of he alone they won those 6 titles, but anyone who is observant of history will point out that he had lots of help. Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant formed those early championship cores then later it was Pippen again with Dennis Rodman – a guy, mind you Jordan, that came over from those Piston teams you couldn’t beat.
So no, Jordan couldn’t beat a Bird-lead team because they were in the league in overlapping eras. Jordan never got the chance to go up against a Magic-lead team during his championship run because Magic was retired. And we all know about the Jordan rules the Pistons had implemented to stop him. The Pistons, of course, won titles and prevented Jordan from doing so.
What to make of Jordan’s comment about Lebron? Well, like Jordan admitted, things are different now. And he doesn’t think it is necessarily a bad thing – nor could he. He played in a different era and it can be argued that today’s NBA athletes are much better on the average than they were 10 or 20 years ago. Jordan today would not be any more athletic than most NBA players out there, certainly not more so than Wade or James. Jordan won his titles during a time in which the road to the Finals in the East was also arguably much easier – the Pistons were getting older and the Celtics were down, the Knicks couldn’t find a way to build around Patrick Ewing (until Pat Riley came in there, only to bolt for Miami a few years later).
Lebron, if you’re reading this pay no heed to Jordan’s comments. He is simply basking in the glory of his legacy, he can say what he wants because he won 6 titles. The perception is that he won them and not, say, Luc Longley or Tony Kukoc or Ron Harper. The fact is, if you win, none of this matters. It is all speculative at best and can be perceived as chest thumping and even Jordan (and Barkley, too) being old blow hards. (In fact, Wilt Chamberlain made derogatory comments about Jordan’s playing days saying in his day they didn’t have cameras recording their feats. So, it continues with every generation.) Which, they are. And how could you not expect them to be? They are competitive guys who will never relinquish a “you’re right” to anyone and certainly will not even entertain the notion that they just might be average NBA’ers in this current NBA world. So, let them have their fun but make sure you get the last life – hoisting trophies over your head at the end of each season.
Jordan, just like the rest of the media, doesn’t understand what is taking place here in Miami. That isn’t because I live here or because I am a Heat fan but if this took place in Chicago, or Cleveland, or New York, we on the outside would be “hating” this, of course! But we would still have to wrestle with the fact that all three players are doing this because the opportunity was there and they have a chance to win – and win big for the next 6 years. Jordan could never beat Bird or Magic because the cards never lined up. That doesn’t diminish Jordan’s accomplishments and it shouldn’t diminish what RUN DLC (Dwyane, Lebron, and Chris) do here in Miami. If Riley had traded for these players, would they have the same attitude?
Erik Spoelstra Faces Big Challenge and Growth as Coach
Lebron James made a controlled yet highly emotional announcement that he was leaving Cleveland to head to Miami. Cleveland, and the state of Ohio was shocked and left in an uproar while in Miami, everyone partied. The question is, was Erik Spoelstra among them?
There is a shadow lingering on the Heat’s bench. Don’t doubt for one second that Pat Riley might be tempted to return to coaching just for the chance to win another ring. In this situation, he wouldn’t be talking about one ring, but several. The man he put in charge to take over was Erik Spoelstra – this might seem familiar to Heat fans who, back in 2004, witnessed the arrival of the Diesel – Shaquille O’neal. Stan Van Gundy was the coach then, but with Shaq, there were rumbles that he wanted to be coached by Riley.
Is this situation the same? Does the Triumvirate, the Miami Trifecta, the Three Amigos, need Riley’s stewardship on the bench? Signs point to this being much different.
All three players are young and have played basketball largely in a post-Pat Riley era. Wade was the only one who played for Riley, but only for 4 seasons: from his rookie season (2002-2003) and when Riley took over again in 2005 through April, 2008. Also, all three players are taking the chance to play together, based on their Olympic summer experience in 2008. They are publicly saying they are going to take a bit less money so that they can help the Heat build a team around them.
Lebron James said all the right things Thursday night. He talked about being focused on winning, he talked about NBA history favoring his decision – the Bulls didn’t win with just Jordan and even he had help. James said that you can become a great player, but that it takes a team to win a championship. He even answered ESPN’s provoking question which was a scenario, with 7 seconds left who takes the shot? James said whoever coach Spoelstra draws up the play for.
Heat Have History on Their Side – Heat and Lakers Parallel One Another
There is another interesting parallel here – and something Riley can identify with. Riley got his start coaching the “Showtime” Laker teams. He was an assistant that was eventually promoted to be the head coach of the Lakers. That team went on to win several titles (1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988) but it was built around key players, stars in the NBA pantheon. Earvin “Magic” Johnson, James Worthy, Kareem Abdul Jabbar. Those Lakers teams coached by then a young Pat Riley was able to rise to greatness. Guess who the top exec of that team was? The logo himself, Jerry West who helped build that dynasty of the 80’s.
So now we have another NBA great upstairs in the front office with a young and brilliant mind and former assistant on the bench. Spoelstra had his first full season last season and now is blessed with having Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and Lebron James on the roster. As much as any coach would envy to be Erik Spoelstra, they also have to gauge the situation with Riley all but salivating over the possibility of winning more titles as a head coach. After all, Phil Jackson has a ton of rings, why shouldn’t Riley? It is Riley’s inquenchable thirst for greatness that has driven him to build this team and get to this moment. He knew the risks, understood the sacrifices, and waited for his moment. The question now is, will it be as coach? Or will Riley stun everyone – maybe more so than this latest coup in free agency – and withstand the temptation to call himself up and hire himself to take over the bench?
Spoelstra has got to embrace this situation. He knows Wade, and has a great report with him. He also now gets to implement his vision of an offense that will ignite all three big stars for the Heat. This is going to be his greatest challenge. And if he falters, he’s gone and looked upon as a failure. After all, he has the greatest talent ever assembled on an NBA roster and if he can’t win with them, he can’t win.
So no one has probably as strange as a position as Erik Spoelstra. He has both the envy of having three big time players to work with, but also having the pressure that goes with it. Any slip ups and he is pulled in favor of Pat Riley Success, on the other hand, won’t be rewarded but expected. 60 wins? 70 wins? That is the focus of this team. The pressure is really on Coach Spoelstra to get this thing done.
Recap: Heat Interview Lebron James
Not sure if this will amount to anything or not, but the Heat did have a very productive meeting with Lebron James on Saturday. The Heat were represented by Pat Riley, owner Mickey Arison, front office member and salary cap expert Andy Elisburg, coach Erik Spoelstra, and Alonzo Mourning.
Riley’s strategy seemed to be to show Lebron James that he can get James to the promised land of winning championships and flashed his 2006 ring to reiterate his point. Riley has an obviously proven track record and this should be a selling point with James along with the possibility of playing with Dwyane Wade.
Wade’s Choice Stradles the Edge of a Knife
This free agency thing is tearing apart the lives of hundreds of journalists and fans, all wondering where the next team for some of the biggest names in the sport will end up. And the players are being tortured over this – sure, it is great to be wanted but the deliberation part is going to prove hard for each one of these young men.
Dwyane Wade’s decision seemed straight forward. Yet, the emotions are coming into play here. Ira Winderman summarized what might be a major feather in Chicago’s cap – Dwyane Wade’s divorce and pending custody hearing. We discussed Wade’s divorce in an earlier post and how this may have given Wade a sense of relief as his ex-wife could not any longer stake a claim to his future earnings The hearing, however, is scheduled for July 19th and Wade is struggling over what his decision should be. Should he be based in Chicago for the sake of his family or should he stay in Miami and hope to get fully custody? Either way, it is a difficult choice to make and this could be at the heart, pun not intended, of the matter.
Or maybe it has nothing to do with any of this at all. Chris Broussard at ESPN notes that both Wade and Chris Bosh are filming documentaries of this free agency process and that Wade may be playing up his indecisiveness to make a more dramatic piece. Take a look:
One thing is for sure – Wade will be expecting big things from Pat Riley. The other teams in this have at least serviceable rosters that can arm Wade with enough support to put up a respectable run during the season. David Hyde has noted this.
It is also interesting to note that the Raptors are starting to back off a sign-and-trade option at least for Chris Bosh in regards to sending him to the Heat. This doesn’t make sense as the Raptors would surely lose out on compensation and Bosh would be able to land in Miami – but short about $30M in cash. Yet, it certainly gives the Heat an even greater advantage to bringing Bosh to Miami and thereby getting Wade’s assurance to keep building his legacy in south Florida.
Still, all of this can and will probably drive people crazy. The best thing is to do what Lebron James is going to do – hang out Sunday, celebrate with family the birth of this great nation’s most bold move – it’s announcement to the world for independence. Now it is up to the players to make their choices and take their stands.
No Worries: Wade Not Leaving
Look, I am as subject to doubt as the next guy – sometimes anyway. And yes, the Bulls could make a good case to have Wade come back to his hometown and play. And yes they could dangle a possible scenario where Lebron James joins him and they live in Chicago happily ever after. And in some ways, it makes more sense to do that over Miami – but not in all ways.
The Heat still have more money and are going to find a way to win with Pat Riley at the wheel. He has a track record that you can compare to anyone’s and it may only be trumped by Phil Jackson, but that is only because Phil Jackson got to coach Michael Jordan for a bunch of years. Yet, the zen basketball coach proved he wasn’t a one trick pony either, navigating those Laker teams to championships with varied personnel. Can Thibideau make the same claim? He has been an assitant forever and the Bulls have a new GM in place, too. The Bulls are largely unproven and trying to sell the shadow of Michael Jordan as a way to woo free agents.
Wade has a legacy of his own to consider – and it started here in Miami. He is slated to make a public appearance in Davie this Tuesday and is working with Zo and his Summer Groove charity project coming up later this month. Wade has a ring, in 2006, which he won and it has been reported that Pat Riley flashed that to Lebron James as proof in what he is selling. It says, “come to Miami, kid. This is where we can build a new dynasty.”
Riley has proven himself. And yes, the Bulls have some nice pieces but at the end of the day, those players aren’t going to do anything without a Wade or a James. Like I said earlier, Chicago could land both but Wade and James would have to agree to take a slight pay cut to make that happen and they would have to rely on an unproven front office staff. This is not the same team that put those championship Bulls together – in fact, the direct links to those teams are now all but gone. Its shadows and shell games.
And you don’t think Wade knows all of this? Of course he does. Sure, it looks bad to have your franchise player out there frolicking with other suitors. But its a business and Wade owes it to himself to look around. To know he is making the right decision – which is to stay in Miami and finish up his career and his legacy. It is still unfinished. It would be like Picasso walking away from Guernica only a few brushstrokes in. More importantly, Wade is being a shrewd businessman in the sense that he is also gathering intel on what the Bulls are selling. The Bulls know this, too. They can’t make a full out pitch to Wade because he also could use that information to help his cause in getting James to migrate to Miami. The teams are also trying to run interference on each other.
At the end of this, Wade will stay in Miami. He will make more money there and have a better chance to win and basically customize his own team. Riley is the architect and knows how to put championship caliber teams in place – again, he has done it in LA, NY, and Miami. But you can bet he is going to tailor it to Wade’s specs – something that the Bulls cannot truly promise. And Wade does it his way, in Miami, and recasts the Heat into one of the NBA’s flagship franchises by his efforts on the court. Much like Jordan did for the Chicago Bulls.
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