2. If Wade's true intention was to really destroy the Bulls with that comment, wouldn't he have been better off letting them think that signing in Chicago was a legitimate possibility, so the team could waste valuable resources/time/effort in bringing him here as a free agent, instead of focusing on Bosh and James? There were people on this very forum who preferred Wade to James.
That wouldn't work because the Bulls were NEVER going to pursue Wade before pursuing Lebron...they were not that interested in Wade to begin with. It was Lebron than Bosh...
That said, my point is not that Jordan was in some dark basement with NBA players divising a plan to thwart the Bulls...but as I said, those seeds were planted in the past by his possibly saying these things to these players. I am sure he had some bad things to say about Abe Pollin too. Those players talk all the time and obviously some people carry more weight than others. I don't think he has to say anything now, he is probably done talking but I don't think Wade says what he says without hearing something first from elsewhere.
Just curious, do you think MJ was behind these comments from Pippen in January of 1995? You can find comments like this throughout the entire decade from him. MJ behind these? I'd argue that Pippen's comments throughout the years hurt the Bulls reputation a lot more than anything MJ ever said. How can you possibly read that second column and disagree.
Jordan was much more venomous over the years than Pippen was...Jordan was the ringleader, starting his Krause hate way before Pippen...Pippen followed Jordan's lead, Jordan wsa much more diabolical and mean than Pippen could ever be. Not even close.
I don't know, I think with all this Wade stuff that everyone is over analyzing everything. Is it possible that on the spot he made some comments that were blown out of proportion? His statements clearly reflect that of many fans in the nineties. JR/Krause haggled Pippen and Jordan with their contracts, everyone knew it and it was well noted in the media. I think thats what Wade was referring to since he clearly mentioned "top" players. I think he went a little far in saying they were not loyal, although I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and say he misspoke. Which also explains the comments that I believe were from his agent afterwards.
And that is why I say he was inaccurate. The Bulls organization gave Sloan his first coaching job, made Love a corporate member of the organization, gave Jordan his own field of dreams and continuing to pay him through his retirement (though Jordan absolutely sucked at baseball, Reinsdorf was willing to ride it until the end, despite criticism), brought Pippen back to the organization though he couldn't play, offered him a chance to be an assitant coach and has employed Pippen now. JR did renegotiate with Pippen, they just never agreed...is that unfair to Pip? I don't think so...
That is my point, Wade was wrong...on all counts...all of this stuff, is a misperception. Because Jordan/Pippen are ungrateful (publicly, both respect JR privately it seems) or were ungrateful I should say, doesn't mean they are right in being so. Jordan has shown a penchant for being unforgiving...things he may have said years ago in NBA circles could be bearing fruit now.
You think the stuff Magic Johnson said about Isiah revealing his intense dislike for him is new among those in the NBA who knew Magic? I don't think so...Magic heard through the grapevine about Isiah's spreading rumors about Magic, though they were false and mean-spirited. Magic obviously was angry and their friendship suffered...
Again, I don't think Jordan has said that much now, in the past...I think he said some things. I don't think he said anything with 2010 in mind...but I do think he said things negative about the Bulls organization at one time or another...
Jordan owes the Bulls, their management, and the fans NOTHING. He gave me more great memories than any other Chicago sports star by a large margin. Before Michael, Chicago was most often associated with Al Capone and losing. After him, we're associated with His Airness and winning. I don't expect anything more from him, least of all a statement supporting the loyalty of Jerry Reinsdorf, or whatever else you expect from him in your critiques of his continued public silence on these current issues, or alleging that he is slandering behind the scenes.
I feel that goes both ways...maybe you feel a life of indebtness to Jordan...not me. He retired, I moved on...I was always a Bulls fan first...Jordan fan second. I admire Reinsdorf as much as you admire Jordan...that has come with age an maturity for me. I don't expect others to feel the same...nor do I care. But if...if any of this stuff stems from statements made in the past from Jordan, it would have been nice if he did say that there are misconceptiopns and that Reinsdorf did show loyalty to Jordan throughout his career. I expect it even more from Pippen, who is not affiliated with any other teams. That may be unrealistic, I just thought it would have been good to hear is all.
Jordan and Pippen "owe" the Bulls that no more than Reinsdorf owed Jordan a piece of the team because he "deserved" it, which is to me beyond silly. Jordan was well compensated for his years in the league. I hope things turn out well, I really do...but just from reading about how the players fraternize and having a friend who has family in the NBA...players talk...that is all I am saying.
If Jordan was giving advice to Lebron, I would be very surprised if Jordan didn't tell him to try to win now...I would also be surprised if Jordan didn't tell him that he should try to be "the man" on whatever team he joins. Jordan's legacy would be a little bit different if he had to join Magic's teams to win a championship. I don't think Jordan is dispensing much advice to James...and Jordan reportedly did say that he believe Lebron is going to Chicago. Seeds were planted though...years ago...point blank.
