10/21/20


Jay C. Brandriet

Nick Wright is a successful, talented broadcaster that works for FS1. He is known as a LeBron James fan and a major homer.

It’s not dumb to be on the back of LeBron in the G.O.A.T. argument. James will continue making you look good for a long time to come.

There is one disturbing thing about Nick’s approach.

He attempts to devalue the career of Michael Jordan.

When MJ was at his best, Nick was eight years old.

I can tell.

The first obnoxious thing I heard him say on the topic was in 2016.

Wright aggressively said, “without saying six and zero in the Finals name ONE thing Jordan even did better than LeBron?”

I’m still not over that bizarre take. Clearly.

Last week Nick was at it again. This time putting out a list of weird MJ flaws. It was entitled, “what the media won’t tell you about Michael Jordan.”

Wright likes to use facts, without context.

Let’s address his points.

“JORDAN WAS A TOTAL LOSER BEFORE PIPPEN.”

Mike played on a bad team as a rookie.

Number 23 was a level better than spectacular.

The Bulls went 38-44.

In year two, he was mostly shut down after breaking his foot.

In Michael’s third season, Chicago finished 40-42.

Jordan averaged the most points the NBA has seen over the last 58 seasons (37.1). He was the best defensive guard in the game.

Pippen shows up in year four. The Bulls go 50-32. MJ had the greatest MVP season in the history of the league.

Chicago won a playoff series in which Jordan averaged 45 points on 55 percent shooting. By the way? Pippen was a bench player who scored less than 8 points a game.

Michael went 1-9 in his first 10 playoff games?

Correct. Such a cherry picked stat.

Go look at who played who. Look at the details of Mike’s performances.

Factor in the years where Jordan carried and molded Pippen.

When it’s convenient for your own argument, most believe that one great player is not beating a great team.

“JORDAN NEVER BEAT LARRY BIRD IN A SINGLE PLAYOFF GAME.”

Right again Nick.

Boston swept Chicago over two straight seasons. Six games to zero.

Prime Larry Bird showed up with McHale, Parrish, Dennis Johnson, Danny Ainge, and Bill Walton.

Young “Air Jordan” arrived with Charles Oakley and Dave Corzine.

That may have been the best Celtics team ever.

Mike poured in 49 and 63 in back to back games. Let’s say he did his best.

Not winning a single game and being called “God” by Bird?

Michael was making amazing strides even in team failure.

I didn’t know being swept by Larry a couple of times was some death nail on Jordan’s resume.

NICK QUESTIONED HOW GOOD THE EAST WAS DURING THE BULLS TITLE RUNS.

I’ll call this ironic.

The NBA’s Eastern Conference from 1984 to 1998 is above having to defend itself or its level.

“MJ DIDN’T BEAT SUPERTEAMS.”

Huh? “Superteams?”

Isn’t that like the Miami Heat squad from a decade ago?

So again, your questioning the level of Chicago’s competition?

In the hard nosed East, and fast breaking West of the 1980’s?

In the Dream Team 1990’s?

Did LeBron play more stacked Finals teams than MJ?

Yes.

James has also had more special players by his side.

“WE PRETEND JORDAN’S CARRER WAS SIX YEARS LONG.”

Who’s “we?”

Skip Bayless?

Are there Jordan lovers who use “6-0 in the Finals” as their only punch?

Sure.

Does it make Nick feel better about LeBron that Jordan had struggles?

Does he realize he’s comparing Jordan to perfection to alter the story?

It was a hard, elegant climb to the top for MJ.

Once there, it was even harder for others to knock him back down.

Over an eight year span, no Michael Jordan led team lost three games in a row.

Michael was victorious in 25 of his last 26 playoff series.

His career wasn’t six years long Nick.

His peak was just the best I’ve ever seen.

Jordan wasn’t the greatest because of his Finals record.

He played basketball better than anyone else.

WHY IS NICK SPINNING THINGS THIS WAY?

Bashing the other guy, is part of debate.

Understood.

Nick should focus on the amazing LeBron James.

He looks small and desperate trying to re write Michael’s NBA story.

Truth is, James could score a million points. He could win eight rings and star in Space Jam 3.

It won’t change the standard Michael laid down.

LeBron once referred to himself as, “chasing that ghost in Chicago.”

Jordan wasn’t a ghost.

He haunts Nick though.

It’s a difficult legacy to poke holes in.

That’s why, Nick Wright tells half truths about Michael Jordan.

Jay C. Brandriet