Deserving

I know a lot of critics are out there lambasting Michael Jordan over his Hall of Fame acceptance speech. Critics told him who he should thank and blame him for not thanking this and that, and he should be more humble etc. Seriously, he is all deserving the honours and achievements, so why compromise, why be nice especially during those times who are we to know what transpired behind those closed locker rooms, how they tried to break up the Bulls each time in the name of assured transitions, or how others have equally shown ill-feelings towards him back then - Michael after all is leaving a legacy behind.


6-time NBA champion: 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998 (all with Chicago Bulls)
6 NBA Finals appearances: 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998
5-time NBA Most Valuable Player: 1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998
10-time scoring champion: 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998
14-time NBA All-Star: 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003
3-time NBA All-Star Game MVP: 1988, 1996, 1998
6-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player: 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998
1-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year: 1987-88
11-time All-NBA selection:
First team: 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998
9-time All-Defensive selection:
First team: 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998
NBA Rookie of the Year: 1985
2-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest champions: 1987, 1988

The list goes on here.


Similar to a friend who was interviewed by the papers recently for him achieving Magic accolades and achievement here and globally. JC Sum spoke about his GP teacher back in VJC dissing his essay on Magic as a Performing Art and now VJC invites him back to perform during a OVA (Old Victorian Alumi) event for performing arts in this year's June 3rd's ST Life section.

Here is his full unedited quote of that story (understood it was edited in the print version):

"So, it is completely ironic that 15 years after failing this essay, I would go on to win a first place award presented by the National University Centre for the Arts in 1997, perform magic across the world, present two mega illusions for collectively 15,000 people and star in Singapore’s first permanent illusion show. And then be invited by OVA to represent Victorians who have made achievements in the performing arts and be part of a concert that is held in Singapore’s premier performing arts venue.

Back then, I’m sure the teacher thought of me as ignorant and uninformed … the difference is, 15 years ago I knew it was the other way around…. Now, I’m sure he knows too."

I guess if this is what drives us to be motivated, surely we deserve to take some payback time back to highlight the reasons why we get so driven and competitive right? Why is noone telling the person who once tried to cut us from our dreams to shut up and stop the hurt or criticism? So in my humble opinion, I think everyone has their right to their own Hall of Fame induction and their own way of getting back in life; because if one is not an inspiring Michael Jordan or JC Sum, he might have fallen and never stood up to his unkind critics.


I leave you with some great videos of my main man and remember what he has done for us, for the game and no one else has as big a heart as him for the love of the game.

He is legendary...and nothing can take it away from him.