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On Friday, Michael Jordan was finally inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. His acceptance speech, which lasted about 25 minutes, referenced the things in his life that motivated him to become one of the best to ever play the game of basketball.But some folks were offended by his speech, saying he came off as an arrogant jerk.
In the midst of his speech, Jordan called out his high school coach for cutting him from the team. "I wanted to make sure you understood: You made a mistake, dude," Jordan said. ...
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He also called out former Chicago Bulls general manager Jerry Krause for saying organizations win championships, "The organization didn't play with the flu in Utah," Jordan said. "The organization didn't play on a bad ankle."
He went on to blast former New York Knick coach Jeff Van Gundy, calling him Pat Riley's "little guy" for saying that Jordan conned players into liking him and then attacked them on the court. "I don't know where that came from," Jordan said.
And he also called out former Utah Jazz player Byron Russell for challenging him during his first retirement. "From this day forward, if I ever see him in shorts, I'm coming at him," he said. Check out the speech in its entirety after the jump.
Comments: (14)
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By: Deron Nix on 9/16/2009 11:30AM
I don't really have a problem with anything he said. He was trying to tell people possible things that they didn't know about him. He was simply stating the truth, and sometimes the truth isn't all that pretty.
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By: smuthlvr on 9/17/2009 7:32AM
Quit trying to cover up for Michael man when you are wrong you are that JUST WRONG. Michael has always thought himself to be bigger than the game thinking he could do whatever. I recall the time when Michael was called for a foul and he got all in the ref's face asking him and i quote DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM? case closed
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By: Quickrtu on 9/17/2009 6:37PM
Michaels speech was real, authentic, and from the heart.Even if he stepped on a few toes. I respect that.
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By: Torrent Search on 12/17/2009 8:32AM
The speech was real. I dont think he said anything wrong. Basically there are situations when You need to realize that without having to over come sh*t (and through the analogy of adding wood to the fire) despite the odds, despite the hate, and despite the doubt...hes just bein real...this is real talk) as always, like on others videos http://www.picktorrent.com Just realize it.
P.S.: i think i am a lucky man that i was living in the same time as Michael.
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By: bway on 9/17/2009 9:42PM
I've heard and read all of this negative talk about Michael's speech. After viewing it I can't see what upset the critics!
Every world-class athlete HAS an ego. Michael has one, but he didn't talk smack to the press when he was a player. He didn't berate his teammates or the owners WHEN he was a player! He didn't criticize the Detroit "Bad Boys" when they disrepected the Bulls.
It was interesting to hear the things that motivated him to become the BEST that ever played the game!
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By: Andre on 9/18/2009 10:50AM
Everybody talks about team and sacrifice but people or an act like they forget that this guy won six championships. Only Bill RUssell in the 8 team NBA won more. He never would have been as great as he was if he didn't have an edge or be an a-hole. Guys like that are the ones that have exceptional careers or names for themselves. His speech was just like his career competitive and with an edge. Stop acting surprised.
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By: William on 9/19/2009 7:01AM
He's always been a jerk and a a-hole.
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By: pay attention on 9/24/2009 4:01PM
I'm not a sports fan, but I follow sports and the players. But I don't anything he said was that bad, I actually enjoyed it and had a few laughs. He just kept it real and obviously talked about those moments that meant something to him. I say congrats, regardless he is the greates of all times. . . .
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By: carmen on 9/21/2009 4:01PM
Apparently he was very hurt at the time when these comments were made, but said nothing, appropriately. perhaps you haters have never had anything to be hurt about but that kind ofhurt is hard to forget. I applaud him for keeping his promih to himself, to wait until he gets to the hall of fame to tell them all (:v))
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By: Asim on 9/30/2009 11:42PM
Mike was a great player; I see nothing wrong with him calling out people who were wrong about him; right on Mike!
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