Michael Jordan is the GOAT for one reason above all others. His talent, his athleticism, and his IQ are all amazing assets, but Jordan was as great as he was because of his drive to constantly be the best. The work he put in, his work ethic, was unquestionable and is what was eventually part of the inspiration for Kobe Bryant to be the same way.
And a lot of Michael Jordan‘s work ethic came from having to try (hard to get what he was given. In the 1980s and 90s, before the NBA became the massive business it is today, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird were those that helped build it to this level. And speaking in an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Jordan highlighted it as the difference between them and the young stars that came after them.
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“Most of the young kids coming in now, we don’t now how good they’re gonna be. But yet they got 5-year guarantees, millions of dollars, admiration from many… You look back at our era, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, we earned what we got.
“And I don’t mean to demean the young kids, because this is something they have to learn. When corporate America came to us, we had a game that could validate their sponsorships. Now they get that before they even play a game. So you’re rolling the dice to see if this kid is going to be any good or not. So in essence, you’re paying the kid off of potential that they’re going to be great.”
With NIL deals now available to high school stars and youngsters signing massive deals left, right, and center, things have only gotten more intense since Michael Jordan said this in 2005. And he elaborated on why this was a bad thing.
Michael Jordan Explained Why Big Deals Affect Young Stars’ Work Ethic
Getting too much money too early can impact even the most committed players, and that has happened to a few young stars. Ben Simmons is an example of a player with massive potential that got a life-changing contract but barely ever improved. And MJ predicted things being this way.
“I think it sets a bad work ethic. When you get something so easily, you’re not gonna work as hard.”
Even Michael Jordan signed with Nike as a rookie, although he helped their sales a lot more than anyone expected. Finally, what he and his fellow legends achieved, is what led to the state of affairs today. And while he did have a point about work ethic, players today do deal with a lot of different pressures.
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