BY REY C. LACHICA
Michael Jordan may not be a perfect model to others, but his greatness on the basketball court will not be diminished by his fascination or alleged addiction to gambling.
From the time he won his first-ever NBA championship in 1991 up to this digital age – notwithstanding the coronavirus pandemic – Jordan is still being adored because of the extraordinary things he achieved in his era that paved the way to his massive fortune.
In the sixth episode of the blockbuster documentary series “The Last Dance” that was showed last Monday, the basketball legend admitted his gambling and how he got into trouble because of his “competitive” nature.
In the eyes of PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial and respected sports editor Gabby Alvarado, Jordan’s vast achievements that include winning six Finals MVP awards and leading the Chicago Bulls to a rare three-peat twice far outweigh his gambling record.
While some raised their eyebrows since gambling has long been a scourge to the society, many die-hard fans simply ignored the things their idol did outside of the basketball court.
Marcial even stressed that Jordan’s gambling won’t impact the legacy that he built because basketball fans are still enamored with his ability to defy gravity for his aerial show and his burning desire to win and achieve great things during his celebrated years.
“And there’s no law that prohibits a basketball player from going to casino and betting on a golf game. That is his right to enjoy considering his enormous earnings,” said Marcial. “But no matter what they say about his gambling, for me Jordan remains the greatest of all greats.”
Marcial, however, discourages PBA players to go to any casino in the country, much more gamble.
“They have to be role models,” said Marcial.
NorthPort Governor and AirAsia executive Erick Arejola echoed Marcial’s sentiments.
Arejola said the thrill of having to compete appeared to have given Jordan the extra adrenalin that he explodes in ecstasy whenever he pulls off a difficult basket.
“His gambling record was because of his competitiveness and not really just gambling. It was explained in that episode that he wants to dominate,” said Arejola.
Jordan was even cleared by Richard Esquinas, who documented his and Jordan’s alleged gambling addiction in his book “Michael and Me.”
Like Marcial and Arejola, MPBL Commissioner and former PBA MVP Kenneth Duremdes also ranked Jordan on top among basketball greats.
“Despite his gambling, for me he is still the greatest player of all time. He was my inspiration during my growing up days,” said Duremdes, who is still stranded in Marbel, South Cotabato due to travel restrictions.
About his gambling, Jordan explains: “I only bet on myself.”
“That was golf. Do I like to play blackjack, yeah I like to play blackjack. There’s no laws on that.”
“I enjoy it, it’s a hobby,” added Jordan in the interview. “If I had a problem, I’d be starving. I’d be hawking this watch, my championship rings, I would sell my house. My wife would have left me, or she’d be starving. I do not have a problem, I enjoy gambling.”
Describing himself as a product of ‘old school,’ Alvarado, sports editor of Hong Kong’s The Standard, said nothing can remove Jordan from his pedestal although his first idol was Dr. J – Julius Erving.
“Common knowledge naman ang yung gambling nya, no surprise there. Besides he’s a basketball player, not a saint,” said Alvarado, who added that Jordan’s humility to admit past mistakes is indeed worth emulating.
