“All great leaders since Moses have known that a feared enemy must be crushed completely. (Sometimes they have learned this the hard way.) If one ember is left alight, no matter how dimly it smolders, a fire will eventually break out. More is lost through stopping halfway than through total annihilation: The enemy will recover, and will seek revenge. Crush him, not only in body but in spirit.” – Robert Greene

Various fans and sportswriters across the country are letting out a collective whine in reaction to Michael Jordan’s Hall Of Fame speech from last night. Instead of taking the typical route which consists of reading a bland speech word for word and giving a step-by-step story of your career, Jordan spent 20 minutes explaining things that lit his competitive fire, things that motivated him, things that made him relentless in his pursuit of being the best at what he did.

Of course, Jordan didn’t take the ‘aww shucks, you guys really like me?’ road, he took shots at everyone he believed crossed him in the last 25 years. There are many who see this as displaying a lack of tact or class, but I prefer to see this as Michael Jordan being Michael Jordan. This is the same man who would absolutely rip the hearts out of his competitors chests in the 4th quarter when he had the big stage. His body may have aged, but one of the biggest infernos of competitive fire we’ve ever seen is still burning inside his heart and he made sure he knew it.

If you want to see Michael Jordan lie and tell everyone what they want to hear, go watch a Gatorade commercial. If you want to hear Michael Jordan be who he is…. listen to his Hall Of Fame speech. Could we really ask for anything better than what he gave us?

Here’s a video of the speech, courtesy of 3030FM.

Nike always pulls out all the stops and delivers the goods when it comes to Mchael Jordan commercials, check this one out.

Thanks to The Hoop Doctors and Intentional Foul for the tip.

It’ll never be admitted or acknowledged, but I know Shaquille O’neal and Michael Jordan smiled as the Boston Celtics hoisted their championship trophy last night.

Kobe Bryant has been flirting with that “possible greatest ever” title for many years now, but with a team mate like Shaq it was hard to be recognized as an individual. Kobe could never be truly compared to Jordan with a dominating beast like Shaq helping him out…. it was too easy. So the Lakers shipped O’neal away, and Kobe began his journey to a 4th championship.

This mythical fourth championship means A LOT to Kobe’s legacy, especially since Shaq earned another just two years after departing from the Lakers. If Bryant were to go the rest of his career without winning at least two more, he could never be mentioned in the same breath as M.J. Similarly, if he fails to win at least one more, Shaq will always be viewed as the main reason L.A. had a dynasty in the early 2000s.

Last night, The Boston Celtics gave MJ and Shaq the gift of peaceful sleep…at least for another 12 months.

Kobe may be the best player to step on an NBA floor since Jordan retired… but he’s no Michael Jordan. It almost hurts me to say that, because I’m a Kobe fan.

The Boston Celtics clawed themselves out of a 24 deficit and went on to stun the Lakers on their home floor tonight, extending their season series lead to 3-1. Although the series isn’t officially concluded, theres about a 0.1% chance the Lakers can dig themselves out of this hole.

I just don’t think Kobe can be “the chosen one” and let this sort of thing happen to his team in the NBA finals. Letting someone come in and do this on your home floor is completely inexcusable.