Jordan's Shadow

Jordan’s Shadow

Devin Gray

As I walked through the fairgrounds of Sutton, I was taken aback to find a slightly-less-than –lifesize cardboard cutout of ‘the man himself’ standing to my immediate right. Lost in the cacophony of carnival equipment and candy floss was the immortal image of Michael Jordan, his body modified into a full-length menu of all of the delicacies that the booth had to offer. Jutting out from where “BULLS” should have been emblazoned on the crest of the jersey was a plaque that read “I would come out of retirement for some Coffee Zone.”

First of all, this board was clearly old. At some point this would have been a fresh, topical joke and a common point of departure that even casual observers would recognize. Three retirements later, and the cut-out holds irony for those well-informed and versed in NBA not-so recent history.

For the common man at the tractor pull in Sutton, Jordan’s image carries meaning in a different way. It certainly speaks to MJ’s continuing legacy as a spokesperson and salesman. Jordan’s shadow stretches long, and even if an individual has never seen Michael Jordan play his image permeates society on a global level.

For players in the league it is unavoidable to be compared to Jordan. He is the undisputed benchmark by which all past and future NBA talent are graded by. If a player plays in Chicago or wears the number 23 there are certain expectations and connotations. The pressure may have influenced LeBron’s ‘decision’ this past offseason, as it is unappealing to try to fit into Jordan’s shoes. To try to bring the Bulls back to stardom would be to doom himself to failure, as neither LeBron nor anybody else can reach the high pedestal that society has placed upon Jordan. As it reads on his statue “The best there ever was, the best there ever will be.”

Today, more than seven years since he retired for good, twelve years since he checked out, and sixteen years since he first teased us, it doesn’t feel like Jordan was the one always leaving us, it feels like he hardly left at all.

Jordan still appears on magazine and videogame covers, promotional packages, and other products, a tribute to Jordan’s marketability. His image transcends basketball and permeates greater society proving that sports heroes are remembered, but true legends can never be forgotten.