Is it unfair? We look at these guys, like Zach Lavine for example, through a microscopic lens. Why isn’t he this? Why isn’t he that? When the team is struggling, we look at the performance of the stars, the performance of our #1 guy. The expectations are high. Is it possible that for us Bulls fans the expectation is even higher? I say yes. I say yes, not only for guys on our team, but for guys in the NBA in general. I guess I should specify a bit more. These expectations are that high for those of us Bulls fans who were alive between the years of 1984 and 1998. You see, the bar was set to an impossibly high level. We hope to see other guys on the Bulls play at a high level, but we know there’s a level we will never see again. We know there will be stars, superstars, Hall of Famers that come along in the NBA, but we know there is a tier that will NEVER be reached. Michael Jordan turns 60 today; Happy Birthday to the Single Tier Resident.
What did I know about basketball before Michael Jordan? Well, since I was 7 years old when he was drafted by my team, not a whole heck of a lot. I learned about basketball by watching him play; not sure there could have been a better teacher. Although I didn’t watch every game at that age, I knew something special was brewing. My dad told me that the Bulls had got this player that was really good; I don’t think anyone knew the extent of how good he would be. I remember when he dropped the 63 in the Boston Garden; I think it was then when things ratcheted up a notch. I remember watching more and more Bulls games; it would eventually get to the point where I wouldn’t dare miss one. It was the day to day, game to game greatness that I was witness to. It was the development of a young team into a dynasty, lead by 23, that left lifelong memories. Will we ever see another Bulls dynasty? Maybe. Will we ever see another Michael Jordan? No.
It has been an upsetting topic over the years since MJ, you know, the popular one… who is the GOAT? I’ve hated guys that are compared to him; I hate guys that actually think they’re the GOAT even more. I cannot say I will not be upset about this again, but I’ve reached a point where I ignore it. You see, I already know the answer; it’s one of those answers that will always be right, unless of course my son makes the NBA. There have been other NBA greats. There are great players in the NBA today. There will be great players in the NBA in the future. But there is already an owner of that penthouse suite; he’ll be a lifelong resident. I guess I just need to appreciate these other NBA greats, instead of focusing on what, or who, they’ll never be. I need to appreciate what our Bulls guys are, and not expect them to be what, or who, I’ve seen. It’s a blessing and a curse maybe, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Thank you again for the memories Michael; maybe one day I’ll meet you in person to tell you that. Until then, I’ll just keep watching those highlights, because like I tell my son, that will NEVER get old…
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