TRULY THE GREATEST EVER
Alright everyone... this ain't no regular entry... none of this "my day was alright, yadda yadda yadda" bull-crap haha.... this is something a lil different to spice things up a little. This is a special entry... because it's for someone who is special. Here is my take, on one of my heroes...
"People are put on this earth for a reason."
This is one of many quotes that this man has spoken to the many who have watched him every day and night, game in and game out. I'm sure everyone knows the reason why he was put on this earth... to become the greatest basketball player in our era... perhaps of all time.
Michael Jordan's last game as a basketball player was played today.. but his career will forever remain a legacy. A living legend in his own right, many people, including myself, consider him as a hero. He has taught many kids and adults to believe in the unbelievable... that for at least a couple of seconds, it is possible for a man to fly. He showed the world that if you believe in a dream, and if you put forth the effort, anything can happen. Dreams really do come true. All these life lessons, were all brought by Michael Jordan... and all from a simple game of basketball.
Many people remember his dunk and amazing shot highlights... I remember a couple of things in particular. At an all-star game in 1996, all the hype of his return was still inside everyone, and he was named MVP of that game, but he gave it up... offering it to Shaq.. who played a much better game than he did. Although Shaq did not take it, MJ still tried to leave it on the podium after the press conference. He wanted to give the spotlight to the person who deserved it that day... true humbleness was shown on this day by Michael Jordan. In game 5 of the 97 Finals... Michael played with a stomach flu.. showing tremendous courage and loyalty to bring his team to victory... he never gave up for a second, and played almost the entire game. That game, he scored over 40 points, and hit the game-winning 3 pointer with under a minute left in the game. His teammate Scottie Pippen had to carry him off the court, as MJ was at the brink of collapsing. It was one of the most inspiring moments I've ever witnessed. Another memory of MJ was the game after in the same Finals. In the final seconds of the game, everyone all over America knew Jordan would get the ball for the last shot.... but at the end... Jordan gave up the ball, passing to a teammate that won the game. It showed that not only does it take talent and skill, but faith and trust in those around you... THAT is what separates the good... from the greatest. MJ proved to me that he truly was the greatest ever.. on that day.
 WALKING OFF WITH THE FLU...
Every time I see him, I feel like a little kid again, watching his every move... wanting to be like Mike. What I would give... to just go back to the times when I would watch him in the championship games, or the gold medal games... any game for that matter... and just watch him be the man... all those times he had prevailed... even when I was certain that he and his team had nothing left. What I would give... to once again BE that little kid... watching my hero. I wish he could play forever, because I would watch him forever. I was such a crazed fan, I would go crazy whenever the game was close... and MJ had the ball with 10 seconds left to go... I would literally be devastated for the whole day, when the Bulls lost a game that I was watching. I was so mad I cried when he tried his luck at baseball... and everyone was saying he was a disgrace to the sport... when he was putting so much effort into getting better... working on his weaknesses. All he wanted to do was fulfill his father's wishes. If Michael Jordan was an embarrassment to baseball, then he was an embarrassment to his father. But the way he tried so hard to work at it... I think any father would be proud to have a son embarrass him like that. He soon found out that basketball was his destiny, and he came back with a vengeance and was determined to once again establish himself as the best... and he did... three more times.
 HIS FINAL SHOT AS A CHICAGO BULL... HIS FINAL MOMENT... AS A CHAMPION
When he came back the second time as a Wizard, it couldn't have been more perfect. During that time, Sept. 11 was on everyone's mind... especially on mine... and for sports fans, it was scary to go to professional games without the thought of being attacked. What better way to comfort the people of America than to have their hero return... and teach America to once again love the game. I believe that was the real reason why he came back, and it just added to his legacy, instead of tarnishing his fairy tale career. America once again loved sports entertainment, because America had one more chance to once again love Michael Jordan.
 HE'S BACK... ONE MORE CHANCE FOR AMERICA TO SEE ONE MORE GLIMPSE... OF GREATNESS
Today, when I saw him take a shot for the very last time, of course I was sad to see him go, but the things he has taught me over the years... will be unforgettable. It has got me to where I am, and has transformed me into the person I am today. My friends say I'm a good person... and I owe most of it to my parents.. and to Michael Jordan. He is not my only hero.. my dad will always be my hero too. He believed that I could be better than what I was. He was the very person to sit me down in front of the TV and tell me, "Son, watch this game with me. Look at #23. His name is Michael Jordan... you could be like him someday." My ultimate hero... my dad... introduced me to yet another hero... and I will never forget the way I just smiled and watched the game... only paying attention to what #23 in the red & black was doing. I think the most important thing MJ taught me, was just to love what you are doing. He loved the game of basketball with a passion. It was that love that got him to where he is and always will be.. and even after today, even 15 years from now... he will still love the game. Just like Michael survived the struggle towards becoming a champion... I will do the same in the game of life. One day I will achieve my own greatness... just like MJ achieved his.
For 15 seasons, we witnessed a one of a kind person, just doing what he does best. Each and every game played, he would be the first man to walk on the court, with the first 7 seasons walking off with lessons learned and weaknesses to work on. 6 times he walked off the court as the last man standing... a champion. Today, he didn't walk away from the game with a championship or an MVP trophy, but he walked off the court with more precious gifts.... love and respect from the ones who will always remember what he did for them. He was a champion in everyone's hearts... and everyone around the world showed their love at that particular moment. He deserved every minute of that long standing ovation... and I'm sure it would've lasted the whole night if there still wasn't a game to be played. A sell-out crowd chanting from their hearts "WE WANT MIKE!!" at the top of their lungs.. until they lost their voice. Billions of people watching at home, just wanting to see His Airness fly... one last time. A kid named Erick Mijares, sitting in the living room.... watching the last glimpse of his hero with tears in his eyes... and loving every minute of it. He inspired the uninspired. Michael Jordan walked off the court with pride and a smile on his face... kissing the game he loved good-bye...
 MICHAEL JORDAN WALKED AWAY... AS THE GREATEST.
Everyone has their own greatness to strive for. He is just an example of what happens to those who reach it.
With a heart of a Bull, the moves of a Wizard, and the will of a champion ... Michael Jordan.. always and forever will be...
THE LAST MAN STANDING
I'll always be his biggest fan. He taught me how to have faith no matter what... he taught me what it takes to be great... he taught me that failure only leads to success if you keep striving for that extra step. He taught me that a love for anything... is the fuel that transcends your life, and perhaps others as well... forever.
Those of you reading this, I'm sure you have your own heroes that you look up to... haha well maybe after you read this, some of you might add one more person to that list, and for those of you who don't have heroes... maybe after reading this you may have one now. Never forget your heroes, for they will never forget you. In a way, you are their heroes as well... because without you, they would never become who and what they are..... a hero. :)
To Michael Jordan: my all-time favorite athlete, but most importantly, my hero.... I'll watch you forever..... thanks for the memories.
 DREAMS REALLY DO COME TRUE....
This is what I learned... all because of one man and his desire to be the greatest ever....
"True greatness comes when one still strives to succeed... even when success has already been established."
"Greatness comes when one chooses to be better than his or her best."
"Greatness is the result of giving it one more shot... when there is nothing else left to give."
"To be great... is to love the journey that gets you there."
ONE DAY, I WILL ACHIEVE MY OWN GREATNESS..........
Erick Mijares | 
See for yourself.