I won't miss Mike, but I do respect him

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Chris Jackson

Again.

This time, though, it seems like he means it.

For all the talk from generations past of their great sports icons, our generation will have Jordan as the foremost member of a legion of amazing athletes when we share stories with our children and grandchildren.

But for all the attention around the world, and for the monopolization of ESPN by the story, I think I'll live.

Yes, life will go on without Michael Jordan.

Will the NBA?

Based upon recent polls taken at the end of the lockout, who cares?

Jordan was the best basketball player ever. He changed the game, and his legacy should stand the test of time.

He was also a good, but not great, person, one who went from a self-centered, on-court braggart to one of the best team players in the game over his career.

He is a smart and savvy businessman, seemingly a good father to his children and a good role model for kids to look up to.

So I respect Michael Jordan for who he is and what he's done.

But I'm not going to miss him.

I've never been a big fan of the NBA, and the lockout just about killed my interest. I was never a fan of the Bulls, or of Jordan. I thought he was too much of a ball-hog when I was a kid, and besides, his team wasn't any good.

Well, Jordan got generous and the Bulls won six titles. If anything, I just got tired of seeing them win.

In the end, for all the praise being thrust upon him, in the grand scheme of things he isn't really all that important. Sure, he played basketball better than anyone else, but it's still a sport.

It's probably silly for me to belittle the profession I have chosen to write about, but sports are a form of entertainment, a form of escape from the drudgery of day-to-day life.

Losing Jordan isn't like losing a great mind like Stephen Hawking or a great leader like, er, um, well I can't think of any right now, but in the past we've had a bunch.

People are sitting around asking "why?"

Who cares? The man went out on top. It's his decision, please don't waste valuable SportsCenter time asking that question. He did it, it's done, move on.

Jordan is gone, and what little remains of the game will be hurt by his loss. But it's only a game, and it will continue.

So for the two fans the NBA has left, move on.

For the rest of us, well, see you at McKale.

Chris Jackson is a senior majoring in journalism.