Kelly Dwyer's response to "What, Exactly, Did Michael Jordan Teach Us?" written by Henry Abbott

I grew up in and out of Chicago and never really knew anything besides all-out, borderline-scary effort because of Mike. I never understood why Barkley, Robinson, or even Magic (in his later years) never seemed to be able to dominate in the same, cruel, way. Never got it. To me, for a while, it was the only way to think -- you get out of bed thinking "win," and screw anyone who wants to get in your way.

But you'll never see me trashing someone in comparison to Michael. Nobody came close to him. Nobody was that psychotic, really, and it's not fair to expect other humans to act as dysfunctional as Mike. That dysfunction brought championships to my favorite team, it made me proud to be a Chicagoan, it colored my winters and springs with memories of championship runs and near-misses, and it was the most fun I'll ever have as a basketball fan.

But I'd be a fool to expect any player, no matter how talented, no matter how determined, to act in the same way he did.

Because nobody's ever acted like that. Russell's the closest, but even he was breaking bread with Wilt the night before. So, when I trash LeBron for not rebounding more and going coast-to-coast, or Vince Carter for shooting fadeaways, or Dirk for acting as he did in that first round -- it's mainly because I want them to be more like Dwyane Wade. Not like Mike. Not even Kobe (who still shoots too many perimeter jumpers). Be like Wade -- put your head down and get to the front of that rim. Expecting anyone to be like Mike, on or off the court, that's just too damn much.