Jordan's legacy sans Nike?

[racm]

We've heard countless times about how Michael Jordan is the GOAT, but without that Nike shoe deal to prop that proposition up, how do you suppose he fares?

Still definitely a top 3 talent given his sociopathic levels of competitiveness and combination of freak athleticism and talent, but I don't think the narrative of him as the GOAT gets pushed into near-unanimous consensus.

[TrainOfThought5]

unquestionable GOAT status would still be unquestionable.

[Bynumite]

Isn't the OP the same person that said Kobe owes his successful basketball career to Nike? :lmao Fascinating stuff tbh :lmao

[dunkman]

If he were the GOAT, he would have been considered a better player then Magic and Bird at the moment of their retirement. But, he wasn't successful at team level in the 80's and he played a considerable part of his career in that period of time.

He's the unquestionable greatest player of the 90's and the best SG ever. But, without Magic retirement, the Bulls would have shared their 6 titles with the Lakers. The Lakers made the 91 finals with their rebuilding team, when their coach, dominant center and defensive specialist have left the team.

[Brazil]

What about nike's legacy without Jordan tbh?

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

Are we assuming that Nike was the springboard to all his other endorsements? Because mid 90s you seriously could not turn on a TV without seeing him selling something. McDonald's, Hanes, Gatorade, and I'm probably forgetting a few others too. As far as chicken and the egg discussions go I think that Nike recognized a guy who could move merchandise more than Jordan getting elevated by their ads.

[resistanze]

unquestionable GOAT status would still be unquestionable.

He's not even the 'unquestionable' GOAT now.

[whitemamba]

What about nike's legacy without Jordan tbh?

[Clipper Nation]

http://i.imgur.com/VoDaJwt.jpg

http://cdn1.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/6083637/cp33.0_standard_352.0.gif

[whitemamba]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/2009/10/06/lakers_trophies_big_381.jpg

[TDMVPDPOY]

dont forget slow motion technology...thinkn he can walk on air...watta load of shit and constant slow replays of highlights...

[Clipper Nation]

http://i.imgur.com/mx0lETK.png

[whitemamba]

dont forget slow motion technology...thinkn he can walk on air...watta load of shit and constant slow replays of highlights...

dont be ridiculous, no one can walk on air, dude had some hang time though, slow mo makes it look cooler yeah. but dont take away his athleticism. doubt you can hang that long even if u jumped on a tramp

[whitemamba]

http://i.imgur.com/mx0lETK.png
40 years 3 playoffs... :downspin:

[Clipper Nation]

40 years 3 playoffs... :downspin:
$100 mil, no playoffs.... :downspin:

[whitemamba]

$100 mil, no playoffs.... :downspin:

cant win them all. sorry bro

[mercos]

I think if you take away the endorsement barrage that came with him, there would certainly be more talk of who the GOAT is. There are more accomplished players than Michael Jordan. Russell had more rings. Kareem had as many rings, is the all time scoring champ, had a more impressive college career, etc. Magic would be in the conversation as well.

[lefty]

lmao



Jordan is the one who made Nike what they are today, not the other way around




The real question is : Kobe's legacy without Shaq and Pau ?

[baseline bum]

Yeah sorry, Jordan made Nike, not the other way around.

[baseline bum]

Oh fuck, my post is almost word for word lefty's post. Scary thought :depressed

[Killakobe81]

He's not even the 'unquestionable' GOAT now.

This. KAreem (And Im sure Wilt and others) have arguments as well ...I just never saw them play. But people that act as MJ is beyond reproach slay me. He is #1 on my list but it's not as far as gap as some make it out to be ...

That is also why I think Lebron has a slim chance to surpass him ...

[Bill_Brasky]

What about nike's legacy without Jordan tbh?

Tiger too, tbh

[Killakobe81]

Yeah sorry, Jordan made Nike, not the other way around.

Not 100% true. Nike had a vision for marketing that helped make MJ the global icon that he became. I think you have to seperate the two. MJ was a GOAT player and would of been even if he chose Brooks or Pumas and I think most people that follow the sport can seperate the player from the icon.

Nike used clever marketing and sound business strategy to elevate the Air Jordan brand. Why do you think MJ wanted his own off-shoot of that? Nike paid MJ a unreal (for that time) sum and partnered with him to grow the brand. MJ was EXTREMELY loyal to that brand (read the ESPN article).

Look I know MJ is a known a$$hole, but I doubt he would of been the one (as a poor kid who could barely afford college life, even though he got a full scholarship), would of peddled his shoes at the ridiculous price points they have been for most of their iterations. That was some Nike exec that took advantage (no offense) to the ghetto fabulous culture of inner city youth. They made the shoes expensive which made them a status symbol. Since they were tied to the best player on the planet, the value held firm The fact that stars (Actors, hip-hop) wore them as fashion statements grew it further and even the fact kids were getting shot over them did not hurt. I doubt MJ (in teh beginning) was that business smart or that callous.

Of course MJ was the main attraction, but to not give Nike credit for all THEY did RIGHT from choosing the right star to market, the hottest young black director to help market the shoes (Remember it was Spike that did most of the talking in those early ads) to keeping the prices high, And creating that iconic logo ...Nike hit a home-rum almost every step of the way. Nike was growing just as MJ began to take over the NBA it was a match made in heaven. They made each other ...

[ffadicted]

He's not even the 'unquestionable' GOAT now.

:lol

[Killakobe81]

And MJ also gets bonus points because though Nike was his biggest brand the Be like Mike (Space Jam), I can believe I can fly ...(space Jam) that he and his business managers and agents were smart decisons that proved he was marketable without Nike. Tiger, Brady, Griffey, Jeter none of those guys ever duplicated what MJ did ...

[Latarian Milton]

nike and commercials ain't helping him make them shots though. in fact nike shoes are pretty shit and it feels far from comfortable when you try those shits on, maybe those for kobe and jordan were specifically designed im not sure but i'd personally prefer reebok or adidas anyday tbh

[Chinook]

So Bow Wow gets no credit?

http://images2.fanpop.com/images/photos/5600000/Like-Mike-like-mike-5657252-597-885.jpg

[Asif Ali Zardari]

MJ made Nike into the juggernaut it is and paved the way for guys like Kobe. It's not the other way around, come on now:lol