Michael Jordan's Hall of Fame Induction Speech

Yes, MC Breed was right, Mike (Michael Jordan) was a itsy bit triflin' — he's addicted to snowflakes (check the one on his side here), he's almost insufferably competitive and he has the nerve to entertain a comeback at 50 (that just cannot happen) — but when I look at dude I'm still in awe. Michael Jordan is reason No. 1 why I love the Chicago Bulls and Chicago sports in general and thus sports in general, I was born as a sports fan as he led the Bulls to their first World Titles and through his many title runs and all the great dunks and impossible lay-ups and gritty defensive stands and heart-stopping game-winning shots I learned a lot of what greatness is.

I learned what it means to set goals and achieve them.

I learned when said goals aren't enough that it isn't bad to look elsewhere for satisfaction even if the entire world thinks you will fail.

I learned when you fail looking for that other satisfaction that there's nothing wrong with going back to where you started.

I learned how one can re-invent and make their game stronger and finish their career the right way, and the wrong way, and then the right way again.

In my adult life, as he transitioned into his post-basketball playing life, some of the sheen has been taken off of my greatest hero, but as brilliantly as he shined when I was a child Mike could never look like a dud to me, maybe a milk dud (look at that dome, lol.)

Congratulations MJ, the GOAT once and always.

NBA.com 2009 Hall of Fame coverage