N/H Happy B Day Jordan

[iNolaNightmare]

Hate to chime in on an argument that I really am not to validated to comment on, but here it goes...

While Jackie Robinson changed sports and life forever as we know it, I personally don't think his icon is larger than Jordan's, not very close, either.. I'm aware what he did is absolutely wonderful, but in the long run, everything that Jordan did, from his brand, dream team, 6 rings, etc.. his icon will for long be larger than Jackie Robinson. Not discrediting Jackie, though. The guy is a legend.

Just my opinion..

[BallSoHard]

Kids in China know who Bill Gates is. Kids in China don't care who MJ is (maybe Kobe). They are wired differently than kids here (which is probably why they are passing us up).

Thanks for the made up fact of the day. Also we're talking athletes not icons. I can see where you may be mistaken though since Jordan is a world icon that turned bigger than sports. Also, Thought you were arguing Jackie Robinson not Bill Gates ?

He estimates the brand grew 25-30% in 2012 and now generates more than $1.75 billion globally, including apparel.

1.75 billion dollars per year tells me you're wrong about the international market not knowing Jordan still. The dudes brand is still growing, that's how popular he was.

[BallSoHard]

Hate to chime in on an argument that I really am not to validated to comment on, but here it goes...

While Jackie Robinson changed sports and life forever as we know it, I personally don't think that has to do with his icon. I'm aware what he did is absolutely wonderful, but in the long run, everything that Jordan did, from his brand, dream team, 6 rings, etc.. his icon will for long be larger than Jackie Robinson. Not discrediting Jackie, though. The guy is a legend.

Just my opinion..

Yeah I agree with this completely. I've never said Jordan DID more for sports than anyone. That's a separate argument.

[bojangles837]

Robinson= most influential

Jordan= most Iconic

When I hear the word baseball, I don't automatically think of Robinson, but when I think of basketball, Jordan comes up immediately.

[iNolaNightmare]

Robinson= most influential

Jordan= most Iconic

When I hear the word baseball, I don't automatically think of Robinson, but when I think of basketball, Jordan comes up immediately.

Yeah. When I think just sports in general, Jordan pops up.

[Scrill]

I'll go ahead and chime in.. Jordan over Robinson all day when it comes to most recognized athlete. It's really not even debatable.

[UNO Gracias]

Thanks for the made up fact of the day. Also we're talking athletes not icons. I can see where you may be mistaken though since Jordan is a world icon that turned bigger than sports. Also, Thought you were arguing Jackie Robinson not Bill Gates ?



1.75 billion dollars per year tells me you're wrong about the international market not knowing Jordan still. The dudes brand is still growing, that's how popular he was.

The fact was actually taken from the book "The World is Flat." In it the author talks about how at the time (2005) Brittney Spears was one of the most popular figures in America and anyone could recognize her, but in China due to the developing economy and the focus on education kids and youth there recognize Bill Gates more (weird but true, and not made up). So I doubt kids in China know of even care who Jordan is.

MJ's brand is doing very well all over the world but he has CP3 and other recognizable players selling for him. If MJ was the one selling the stuff he would save himself some cash and be on every Jordan campaign, but it's not.

I appreciate MJ, and recognize him as the greatest basketball player if all time. What Bird and Magic did bringing the NBA into relevance MJ took advantage of and took it to another level. The guy developed the game and now LBK and Kobe get to fight over his spoken word. ESPN will make him out to look like Jonas Salk, but to me he was just another great athlete but nothing more.

We all have hero's and MJ's yours. No problem defending him as you are.

[luckyman]

It seemed as if ESPN was honoring him like he'd died or been dead.

Btw, that is one amazing picture/autograph!

It's the ESPN way. When Noel tore up his knee, you'd think the kid just got shot in the head or something. I think I saw the replay of him getting injured 37 times in 15 minutes before I just changed the damn channel.

Jordan definitely brought the game to new heights, but Chris...I mean Mahmoud Abdul-Raouf is the person who made me want to seriously ball when I was 8. Kid was the best freshman basketball player I ever saw.

[Pantazis76]

i share a birthday with a great man.

[UNO Gracias]

i share a birthday with a great man.

Happy birthday!

[BallSoHard]

Michael Jordan was one of the earliest and most popular Black athletes accepted by Chinese society. According to the Financial Review, in a 1992 survey taken by students in China, Michael Jordan was considered the most influential person of the twentieth century, followed by Zhou Enlai—one of China’s notable political figures. After retiring, Jordan remained a very popular figure in China. During his 2004 promotional tour in China, Chinese basketball fans flocked to see Michael Jordan in person. The reaction to Jordan was so immense that Chinese police had to cancel his appearance at a Nike basketball court in Beijing for fear that it would cause social disorder. China Daily, a Chinese state-run newspapers, reported, “flower beds were destroyed and a car was damaged when enthusiastic fans stood atop it. Several billboards that blocked the fans’ view were ripped down as the time of Jordan’s expected appearance came closer”.

http://asiainview.wordpress.com/

[UNO Gracias]

Makes you wonder how things would be different for Robinson if he was doing his thing now as opposed to 1947.

Jordan had that going for him.

[MeSoHornets504]

Makes you wonder how things would be different for Robinson if he was doing his thing now as opposed to 1947.

Jordan had that going for him.

Robinson was a great baseball player, but his numbers can't even come close to what Jordan did to the NBA. In fact, if Robinson didn't have such historical importance he would never be talked about. Statistically, he's slightly above-average. I guess the same way Joe Namath gets viewed.