It finally happened; the Miami Heat run of 27 straight wins came to an end with a loss to the Chicago Bulls last week. I from Miami and am a Heat fan, so I was disappointed. But, at the same time glad I got to be a witness to the streak. I’ve seen every game of the streak on TV and I went to the Charlotte Bobcats vs. Miami Heat game on March 24th. I enjoyed the whole thing.
The great pro-basketball player, Michael Jordan, owns the Bobcat franchise. I don’t know if he was at the game or not. He’s been extremely negative about the Heat player, LeBron James. James is clearly the most talented player in the NBA right now. I’ve even seen a spate of recent articles saying that James is better than Jordan was. I kind of get the sense that Jordan is jealous of Lebron and wants to guard his legacy as the greatest basketball player ever.
Jordan recently said that if he were to chose a team with the best current players, he’d choose Kobe Bryant first because he has 5 NBA Championships to LeBron’s one. Of course Kobe has been in the league a whole lot longer, but that didn’t seem to matter. It was meant to be a slap at James. I don’t know why he had to do that. Clearly Jordan was a great player. Most retired athletes are gracious when others come up and do better than they did or break one of their records. I don’t get that feel from Michael Jordan at all. He seems more bitter or spiteful. I’m sure he celebrated a little extra when his old team, the Chicago Bull’s, beat LeBron’s Miami Heat team.
But, I loved LeBron James’ response to Jordan’s comment, “It doesn’t matter to me. If you take Kobe one and I go second, it doesn’t matter. I don’t get too involved in what guys say about me or if you take Kobe or if you take LeBron. As long as I’m on the floor and I make plays for my teammates, I don’t do what I do for other people’s approval.” (My italicization) Here’s the Article.
I think LeBron’s attitude is right. He says he’s not concerned with Michael Jordan. He plays for his teammates. If I were in his shoes, I’m not sure I would have said the same thing. I would have been devastated by Jordan’s comments.
Criticism is difficult for me. I want people on my side. I want people to like me. Unfortunately, many times I do want their approval. But, for a Christ-follower that should never be our motivation. Paul said, in Galatians 1:10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. In all we do, it should be for the audience of one, God. That is the only being I need to please. Oh Lord, help me remember that!
So, here’s my question, who are you trying to please?