Did Michael Jordan destroy the game of basketball?

By far my favourite basketball ad. Ever! Most of the advertisement doesn’t star Michael Jordan but the content of the ad is very inspirational.

Maybe it’s my fault. Maybe I led you to believe it was easy, when it wasn’t. Maybe I made you think my highlights started at the free throw line, and not at the gym. Maybe I made you think that every shot I took was a game winner. That my game was built on flash, and not fire. Maybe it’s my fault that you didn’t see that failure gave me strength, that my pain was my motivation. Maybe I led you to believe that basketball was a God given gift, and not something I worked for every single day of my life. Maybe I destroyed the game. Or maybe you’re just making excuses.

From the countless basketball documentaries and books I have read (not just about MJ) one thing that resonates about Michael Jordan is his drive and competitiveness. He is extremely hard working and focused on one thing, being the best.

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Do you think it’s MJ’s fault that the game is what it is? Yes, I think so. MJ totally changed the landscape of the NBA. His baggy shorts and loud sneakers definitely changed the fashion of the game.

	


		
		

				

					
					

									

										
										
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Can an individual player influence the game so much? The answer again is yes! Even in today I see kids trying to mimic their favourite NBA player. The way they dress, the attitude and style of game is something that I see every weekend when I go to scrimmage.
Fact is everyone is easily influenced especially by the glitz and glamour. I was lucky to have a college coach that taught me to “study the game” without being distracted with the show. My opinion is; it is MJ’s fault (and all NBA players) the game is where it is but it shouldn’t be used as an excuse. I think this ad is meant to drive home  “hard work over highlights”.
What are your thoughts? Did MJ, or NBA players for that fact, hurt the game?