We’ve been thinking. During the mid-to-late 1980s and the early 1990s,
there was a mythos surrounding Chicago Bulls superstar Michael Jordan, the likes
of which the NBA had not seen for two decades. At one point (perhaps circa
1994), it was argued that no one had achieved the legendary aura that seemed to
enhalo Jordan ever. Not Walt Clyde Frasier. Not Dr. J. Not Bill Walton.
Not Larry Bird. No one. At least not before retiring me and the benefit of
hindsight and retrospect.

So we have to ask ourselves: what happened? Was
it the multiple comebacks after stoically professed retirements? Was it the
Wizards management bid that soured? Was it his foray into Minor League Baseball?
Was it that last All-Star Game where the West conquered the East, leaving Jordan
non-plussed and underscoring? Or maybe it’s just a general declining mainstream
interest in the NBA….

For whatever reason, Jordan’s ethereal fame–the
same otherworldly awe that earned him the nickname “Air”–seems to have waned
during this, the 21st century. Not only has he kept a very low profile (Besides
the occasional Hanes commercial and some press on celebrity golf tournaments, we
haven’t seen much of him at all.), but just take a look at the recent Nike ad
campaign featuring scores of little kids who are basically saying, “What you did
was great and all, but I plan to surpass you. I intend to usurp your unoccupied
throne.”

Not that Nike is slighting him at all–his new line of
shoes is selling impressively. We just can’t help but think that that
ad campaign speaks volumes about where this generation is in its reverence of
the Jordan legacy.

This week, we thought we’d relive the glory days,
showing you a few of the once-wildly-popular Jordan toys and premiums–and
invite you to weigh in on the following subjects: How will future generations
view Michael Jordan’s sports accomplishments? Are you a collector of Jordan
memorabilia? If so, what’s your most prized collectible? We’d love to hear from
you.