© Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Aggies Jimbo Fisher Weighs In On LeBron James, Michael Jordan G.O.A.T. Debate
Depending on your age, everyone has an opinion on who is the greatest of all time on the hardwood. For those between the ages of 12-to-24, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James likely wins the title.
For all the 80s and 90s babies, no one can touch the impact made by Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan. A six-time champion and icon in both the hoops world and the shoe game, Jordan reigns supreme and cannot be touched.
A self-proclaimed basketball aficionado, Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher has no qualms when giving his thoughts on the debate. Naturally, the sixth-year Aggies coach defended Jordan, stating his style of play can use as a learning lesson for young athletes in college football today.
“I never saw Michael take a play off,” Fisher told those attending the Brazos County A&M Club Coach’s Night on Tuesday. “I never saw Michael take a game off. Any competition, he jumped at. He lived on competition. In today’s times, with as much money as athletes get and the things they get, it’s easy to lose focus of that.”
Jordan's life was well-documented in the miniseries "The Last Dance" that aired on ESPN in 2020. Former players, executives, and teammates spoke in detail about how others around the locker room would have to live up to his expectations in practice to garner respect on gamedays.
Fisher isn't looking for G.O.A.T. status in his players, but he is hoping for the same type of work ethic. Last season, A&M came up short more than once, losing five games by a combined 19 points. Instead of building off an 8-4 year with the inept quarterback play, the Aggies regressed, posting their first sub-.500 season since 2008.
“We didn’t find the inches last year, and that is my fault,” Fisher said. “That is our fault for not getting them to do it. In 2020, we found those inches. We had a team that found those inches. We’ve got to get back to doing things the right way. But the whole key to that is attitude.”
Fisher is the first to take blame for a 5-7 season in 2022, but also mentioned how several mishaps led to a rocky year. Injuries were the biggest, primarily at quarterback. Haynes King and Max Johnson both missed time due to injuries, while Conner Weigman was too sick to play against Florida.
The offensive line also saw a slew of players miss multiple games, including All-SEC center Bryce Foster. In hindsight, the experience of younger talent should have the Aggies looking more assertive in 2023. Fisher praised the development of the trenches, especially with up-and-coming prospects like rising sophomore Kam Dewberry.
Talking season will make headlines. It won't define progress. Fisher said he's done talking about what could have been a season ago, but also with what could be in the future. Everything now is about accountability and attention to detail.
Jordan went on to be one of the greatest athletes of all time due to his work ethic, not his mouth. For A&M, that'll be the underlying trait for success in 2023.
“I think we have confidence in guys," said Fisher. "We believe in our guys. The leadership has been really good. Spring ball was really good.”
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