My Monthly Sports Minute: Am I Still Trying to “Be Like Mike?” #7

My Monthly Sports Minute: Am I Still Trying to “Be Like Mike?” #7

When I think about the one person who influenced my overall sense of 90’s culture, Michael Jordan’s name and face clearly stands out to me.

A lot of people were fascinated by Jordan because he was rich (on and off the court), famous, super human (in athletic ability), stylish, record-setting on numerous levels (in his sport), and the one to “bet on” no matter the opposition or circumstances. However, I was always obsessed with his shoes. I was even more obsessed with his ability to decide with an indestructible will (like vibranium) how to outwit, outwork, and outperform his opponents.

From the time I was a boy, I watched Michael Jordan outmatch anyone and everyone with his mind (or decisions). My mother would always tell me that life was about decisions. So, Michael seemed like the ultimate decision maker to me. I mimicked his behavior to see if it would work for me … and it did!

That man — Michael Jordan — proved to me that if you bet on yourself and stick with that decision no matter what, you can out run, out jump, and out think your own dreams, at a high caliber. I was a chubby kid who was inspired by Michael Jordan. I literally played basketball (on a streetball level) with players that went to the NBA. I even earned a compliment or two from them.

I was never trying to “be like Mike,” but more so to pay homage to a beautiful notion that only he could teach me. I have almost lost my life over his shoes. I have memories of where I was sitting when Jordan hit his last shot as an NBA player for the Bulls. I have used him as a reference when telling my son to bet on yourself no matter what (your God given talents and purpose are) instead of trying to be just “like Mike” (on the bball court). Mike is not the greatest for his stats…he is the greatest “mind” to play basketball.

Only a mind can decide. (RIP with love — Sonya Wilkins Gayle)

— Ronald Applin