Michael Jordan.

Michael Jordan was, is and always will be a superstar. He is an icon, a hero, an inspiration and to some, even a God. I must admit that even though I loved the Bulls back in his day, and knew quite a bit about basketball in general, due to my age I wasn't able to get as into it as I am now. This saddens me a little because I know that if I was as passionate about the game then, as I am today, MJ would have certainly changed my outlook on life, and would have without a doubt fueled my passion for basketball more than I can even imagine. However, it makes me so proud to be able to say that I not only watched game after game of him putting up ridiculous numbers, but also that I am from Chicago, a city that will always and forever be linked with MJ's name and legacy.

I was unable to watch MJ's induction speech when it aired on tv, as I was in the suburbs, helping my friend move into her new apartment, but was able to catch up this morning online and also read some reactions from people across the nation. Many said he was too cocky, that he should have been more humble at such an event, and that though his arrogance helped him in the world of basketball, it should be saved only for the court. Others said they loved it, that he hadn't changed a bit and that it would have been a shame to stay away from personal stories and inserted comments. My feelings on it were mixed, though overall I have to say I enjoyed it.

His cockiness didn't bother me. In fact, its what I have always liked about him. In my opinion if someone has talent and has worked hard to get where they are, there should be no one stopping them from bragging about it and from making it clear that they are the best, and they always intend on staying that way. And I think anyone who has watched even a 30-second clip of him shooting, dunking, passing, or even just running down the court with a ball in his hand, would have a hard time disagreeing that he has all the reason in the world to have a big head. His personal stories didn't rub me the wrong way either. After all, each person's career is different, and it is more than just the rules of the game or the NBA organization itself that shapes a players future, so why leave out personal memories? Especially when they are as funny as Pat RIley slipping a note under MJ's door in Hawaii or Jeff Van Gundy making a case that MJ befriends players just to weaken their defenses against him on the court. Speeches that are cut and dry, only sticking to the technical elements that helped someone along the way are dull and predictable. And if I have to listen to someone speak for 15+ minutes, I want to be able to get some laughs out of it. As well as some hilarious visuals.

What I did find a little troubling about his speech however was the lack of mention of certain teammates. Though the cameras fell on Pippen, Rodman and Kukoc several times, there was no mention of them, or even on the Bulls as a team at all. I understand it would be quite a task to mention everyone he has ever played with, or against, but seeing as him, Pippen and Rodman were sort of known as a threesome back in the day, it was quite odd to not hear him mention them at all. True he said that he never would have gotten anywhere without his teammates, and mentioned something about how in all the clips shown before his speech, he was never shown alone, but I think a few namedrops would have really gone a long way.

Though I enjoyed the speech, and liked that he stayed true to himself throughout most of it, I think my favorite parts were the moments before he went up there. Looking back on his career and hearing people speak about him in old interviews gave me chills and almost brought tears to my eyes. Even though I have seen Michael Jordan dunk live in person, live on tv, and later in old clips, he still gets me every time. I will never understand how his body was able to move like it was and how he had the supernatural speed he had. Though I could spend hours watching clips of D. Rose and Carmelo Anthony, nothing has mesmerized me the way MJ has and will probably continue to do. He told people during his speech not to laugh when he said he may come back and play at the age of 50, and I didn't. Because seeing him once again on the court, any court, would be a dream come true. He is one of the greatest the world of basketball has ever seen and I admire him for always believing in himself and doing all he can to make it to the top. He more than belongs in the Hall of Fame and will without a doubt never be forgotten.