Complex Blog » Michael Jordan

Wake N’ Watch: Leroy Smith’s ‘My Gift To The Game’ Music Video

ebaker — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:00:58 +0000

If you don’t know about “The Man Who Motivated Michael Jordan” by now, it’s in your best interest to check out the viral campaign’s website and get familiar. Charlie Murphy’s portrayal of Leroy Smith, the basketball player who won a varsity spot over Jordan in high school (thus inspiring his rise to greatness), is making rounds as one of the funniest, recent Internet sensations. We’ve already seen infomercials and mock interviews from Leroy, and the hilarious antics only continue with this new music video.

“My Gift To The Game” features Charlie Murphy in full Leroy uniform lip-synching to Ryan Leslie vocals and plenty of sexy screen time for Electrik Red hottie Naomi Allen. Be sure to watch all the way to the end for the unforgettable dance number too. Now, the next time you need some help with your game (or a good laugh), you know to holler at Leroy Smith.

Tune in to Complex.com every morning at 8 AM for your daily “Wake N’ Watch” video.

Mike Check: Michael Jordan’s Biggest L’s

justinm — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:43:00 +0000

Trust us, there are times you don’t want to be like Mike.

This week, Michael Jordan will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. All week long, you’re gonna be bombarded with articles about his rarefied Air, lists of his greatest shots and illest sneakers, and clips of his funniest commercials. Snore. We already know MJ is the greatest basketball player/marketing vehicle that has ever lived (Kobe, you rimmed out in Colorado)! What really makes him great is that he’s so awesome in spite of his fuck-ups (rape charges don’t count, Kobe). So, rather than slob Jordan, Complex gives you the moments that proved he was mortal. Read on to watch 10 moments MJ would probably rather forget…

Year: 1990
Lowlight: Someone steals Jordan’s game jersey in Orlando, forcing him to play in 12. Based on his slip, we’re gonna say it wasn’t his lucky number.

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Year: 1993
Lowlight: New York Knick John Starks posterizes Jordan with a dunk. OK, he didn’t actually slam the rock down on MJ, but it sure looks like he did in the poster if you squint!

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Year: 1994
Lowlight: The greatest basketball player ever retires to play minor league baseball—and is one of the shittiest players on the field.

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Year: 1996
Lowlight: Jordan gets dunked by cartoon aliens. Not dunked on—DUNKED!

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Year: 1997
Lowlight: Allen Iverson leaves Jordan cross-eyed. Fortunately no ankles were harmed in the filming of this crossover.

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Year: 1998
Lowlight: Reggie Miller and his 78 lbs. of skin and toothpicks shove Jordan back and beat him for the game-winning shot in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals. Lean back, MJ!

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Year: 2002
Lowlight: MJ misses a wide-open dunk in the All-Star game. Apparently somebody replaced the air in his Jordans with stale farts.

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Year: 2001
Lowlight: Basketball exec Jordan selects Kwame Brown for the Washington Wizards with the number one overall pick in the NBA Draft. MJ would later call KB a “flaming faggot,” helping motivate him to become one of the greatest (busts of all time).

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Year: 2001-2003
Lowlight: He was so bad as a Wizards exec that he made a comeback with the team just to help them win a few games. Despite the ticket-selling move, the team still missed the playoffs and stank like whiz.

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Year: 2006-present
Lowlight: Jordan, who still has yet to make a smart move as an executive, is currently a part-owner and Managing Member of Basketball Operations of the woeful Charlotte Bobcats. On the bright side, his team would be almost decent if they played in the NCAA!

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The 50 Most Badass Moments In Sports History

timl — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:31:38 +0000

Compiled by Max Schlusselberg & Jack Erwin

There are sports moments that make us cheer, ones that leave us speechless, and even ones that make us cry (a little). But it takes a special kind of athletic feat to make us stand up and say: “That’s badass.” Now “badass” comes in all shapes and sizes, both good and bad, but you know it when you see it: achieving victory in the face of odds that would make a normal man quiver in his pantaloons, risking your career to say what you feel (or just punch the guy who’s been pissing you off all game), playing through injury and dragging the comp, or even doing psychedelic drugs and still playing like a boss.

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, but never doubt ‘em: sports badasses are why we’re watching the games in the first place. Listen folks, these ain’t your old man’s greatest sports moments. These are Complex’s 50 Most Badass Moments In Sports History…

50. Randy Johnson Kills A Bird

WHO: Randy Johnson
WHEN: March 24, 2001
WHERE: Tucson Electric Park in Tucson, AZ
• Although the umpire officially called it a “no-pitch,” try telling that to the dove who got vaporized by Johnson’s infamous fastball. Some say the bird getting pulverized was just a crazy coincidence, we say it takes a real badass to kill a sweet, innocent dove.

CLICK NEXT TO SEE THE 49TH MOST BADASS MOMENT IN SPORTS HISTORY!

Release Reminder: Air Jordan 1 60+ Pack

Joe — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:57:09 +0000

Sick of all the Jordan 1s dropping? You shouldn’t be. Tomorrow JB releases the Jordan 1 60+ Pack, a two-set of sneakers that were inspired by MJ’s playoff performance against the Celtics in game 2 of the 1985-86 playoffs where he dropped 63 points. Two colorways will drop, the red/black style Jordan wore during the game, and a Celtic-friendly make-up (after the jump) just so Boston fans can feel nostalgic. Check for these to drop in a special packaging box at Jordan Brand retailers for $225.
www.jumpman23.com

Daily Style & Design News: June 24, 2009

Bradley — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:31:15 +0000

Some past Complex contributors are having their work featured in I (heart) Gen Art’s 15 Anniversary Benefit show that opens today at 7 West 34th Street (11th Floor). Should be sick, for more information click the link. [GenArt]

Guess what? Micheal Jordan is getting into the Hall of Fame. Did you think there wouldn’t be a ton of specialty product? First on deck is a decked out AJ1. [Nice Kicks]

Kazuki, the bawse over at Japanese label Neighborhood is re-signed for adidas’ ObyO collection for Fall. It’s not going to be cheap, but relative to his line, it’s going to be well worth it. [Hypebeast]

Carhartt skateboards – wtf? Sick. [Carhartt]

Oh wow. Amazing. Dim Mak x 55 DSL tent. For when you go…camping (?) [Sneaker Freaker]

Upper Deck Pays Homage To Jordan With Hall Of Fame Floor Collection

Joe — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:37:01 +0000

Sure Kobe’s the talk of basketball nation, and while we congratulate our former cover subject on his fourth title, we’re totally over all the Michael Jordan comparisons chatter. There’s only one MJ, and this September, when Jordan gets inducted into the Hall of Fame, Upper Deck is doing a huge rollout of memorabilia that’s a can’t miss for serious collectors.

The first phase of products is the Jordan 2009 Hall Of Fame Floor Collection, which includes authentic pieces of the United Center floor that MJ broke ankles on. The floor pieces are super-limited, topping out at 230, and are all mounted on plaques that feature superior photographs of His Airness. Read on to see exclusive images of the full collection, and if you’re interested in being part of the history, head over to UPPERDECK.COM for purchasing info…

$199,99 www.upperdeck.com

$199, www.upperdeck.com

Signed MJ Floor Piece, $1599.99, www.upperdeck.com

Gimme The Loot! History’s Most Expensive Celebrity Divorces

intern — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:52:01 +0000

So the news just broke that the wife of Mel Gibson is filing for divorce. Yawn. Then we found out the settlement gwap: $500 million plus half of the residual checks from Lethal Weapon and Braveheart. To paraphrase one of Mad Max’s recent flicks: Jesus-effing-Christ! Like Hovi said: Men lie, women lie, numbers don’t.

Mel is taking a major L, but this isn’t the first time divorce has separated famous men from their millions. Complex takes a look back at some celebrity wives who laughed straight to the bank…ha ha ha ha!

COUPLE: KEVIN COSTNER and CINDY SILVA (DIVORCED IN 1994)

LENGTH OF MARRIAGE: 16 years
SETTLEMENT: $80 million
REBOUND: K-Cost pulled the classic Hollywood upgrade: Make it big, dump the average-looking wife, smash every pretty-young-thing moving. We’re sure he doesn’t regret it.

COUPLE: HARRISON FORD and MELISSA MATHISON FORD (DIVORCED IN 2004)

LENGTH OF MARRIAGE: 18 years
SETTLEMENT: $85 million
REBOUND: Well, at least he got Ally McBeal now. Uh, yeah. That’s an L to an L.

COUPLE: STEVEN SPIELBERG and AMY IRVING (DIVORCED IN 1994)

LENGTH OF MARRIAGE: Four years
SETTLEMENT: $100 million
REBOUND: So Stevie basically lost the opening weekend of the last Indiana Jones. That’s throwaway money, ma.

COUPLE: NEIL DIAMOND and MARCIA MURPHEY (DIVORCED IN 1994)

LENGTH OF MARRIAGE: 25 years
SETTLEMENT: $150 million
REBOUND: None—Neil was quoted as saying, “She was worth every penny.” Wow. Take a close look at the pic above: That woman literally has some 150-million-dollar pussy. Ta-dow!

COUPLE: MICHAEL JORDAN and JUANITA JORDAN (DIVORCED IN 2007)

LENGTH OF MARRIAGE: 17 years
SETTLEMENT: $168 million
REBOUND: MJ’s notorious for Space-Jamming hoes throughout his career, so fair is fair.

COUPLE: RUPERT MURDOCH AND ANNA MURDOCH (DIVORCED IN 1999)

LENGTH OF MARRIAGE: 32 years
SETTLEMENT: $1.7 billion
REBOUND: Dude remarried 17 days later. Take that, Anna!

If there is anything to be learned from these guys, it’s this:

Aubrey O’Day Is The Mask

Joe — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:55:38 +0000

You’d almost think this is Ashley Simpson, until you look at the twos. A masked Aubrey O’ Day enjoys Atlantic City. [Bastardly]

When you’re Michael Jordan’s son, you get whatever colorway you want. [Nice Kicks]

Boobapalooza? C’mon that’s silly. [Double Viking]

Peter Rosenberg smokes with B-Real, and doesn’t get fired for it. [Nah Right]

Daytona is looking really good right now, like realllyyy good. [CoedMag]

Kristen Stewartâ€™s Bikini Grows On Trees

Joe — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 00:21:27 +0000

Kristen Stewart and these pics of her rocking a weed bikini make us love her even more. [Bastardly]

If you wanted to see the real Bud Light ad that didn't air during the Superbowl, click here. [DrunkenStepfather]

Sports Illustrated talks to Derek Jeter about the 2009 season, and Joe Torre’s controversial new book. [SI]

50's “less compassionate than the average person.” Check out this audio of Curtis calling Big Boy's Neighborhood. [Nah Right]

Who knew Michael Jordan was actually a Blazers fan? [Nice Kicks]

We bet Joe Francis is already recruiting these two classy ladies.[Double Viking]

History’s Greatest Games of H-O-R-S-E

jerwin — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 23:21:14 +0000

Yesterday, it was announced that a game of H-O-R-S-E would be added to the NBA’s All-Star Weekend. Our first thought: It’s about E-F-F-I-N’ time. Sure, the dunk contest is actually kinda dope again and the 3-point shooting competition’s “money” balls always make trifey chuckle, but who doesn’t love a game of H-O-R-S-E? (We see you, Catherine the Great!)

The participants haven’t been announced (as long as it’s not Wally Szczerbiak, we’re cool with it), but if the L takes cues from these classic equine roundball contests (ayo!), they can’t go wrong…

#5. CHARLES BARKLEY vs. JEAN-ROBERT BELLANDE

• Two things here: 1. Sir Charles probably needs to add a “pause” after saying “my horse is different than your horse.” 2. Vodka and horse do not mix (just ask Catherine the Great).

CLICK THROUGH TO SEE THE GREATEST GAMES OF H-O-R-S-E INCLUDING BILL WALTON, LEBRON AND MJ/BIRD

A History Of David Stern’s Biggest Power Moves

jerwin — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 22:45:04 +0000

This Sunday marks the 25th anniversary of NBA commissioner David Stern’s ascension to his ~~throne~~ position. There’s no doubt the little dude’s had a big impact on the league'it’s gone from 23 teams to 30 and revenues are up something like 500 percent. How’d he do it? Complex traces his five key plays…

MARKETING GIMMICKS

• Great slogans + tons of celebrities x questionable officiating (pretty sure Isiah gets away with a travel at the end of that clip)=Ka-ching!

INTERNATIONAL DOMINATION

• Sterny’s got that Croat Money, German Money, Aussie Money even Sudanese Money. He’s definitely got that Chinese Money locked up. Still ain’t got any Arab Money, but Osama’s tall as shit so who knows.

DRESS CODE

• In an effort to get rid of the pimps and the pushers and the prostitutes, Stern tried to start all over again in 2005 by instituting a strict dress code for players arriving and departing games as well as conducting official interviews. The code banned throwback jerseys, jeans, hats, doo-rags, large jewelry, sneakers and Timbs. Stern adamantly denied rumors that he enacted the ban to revive the career of Pee Wee Herman’s stylist.

KEEPING HIS HAND IN MARK CUBAN’S POCKET

• Forget a Cuban embargo, Stern now fines the Dallas Mavericks owner every other Thursday.

CREATING MICHAEL JORDAN

• Feb 1, 1984: Stern becomes commissioner; four months later, MJ’s taken no. 3 in the NBA Draft. Coincidence? We think not.

Photos: Michael Jordan Unveils The Jordan 2009

Joe — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 18:06:38 +0000

Yesterday, the media, a sneaker designer, a P.R team, an Olympic Gold Medalist and… a sharp-dressed Michael Jordan packed a chic room at NYC's Event Space on 26th street for the unveiling of the Jordan 2009. The latest model in the revolutionary sneaker line was designed by homegrown Chicagoan Jason Mayden (check out our in-depth interview with Jason about the shoe), and incorporates inspiration from a number of things, with a surprising focus on the defense and striking tactics used in the sport Fencing. Complex was there to witness the event, and we came back with plenty of pictures…

All Photos by Rochelle Morton

After an inspirational speech by gold medalist and world recorder holder April Holmes about her perseverance in sprinting while being a paralympian, Mayden and the master of ceremonies Jordan talked about the legacy of the Jordan brand, how the Jordan 2009 caters to the needs of on-court athletes, and touched on the long back-and-forth about what this latest model would be called. “23 is my number, 24 would diminish what that meant. 23 started a whole different legacy, I felt 24 would demean the 23 because it [23] was such a synonymous number for our shoes,” Jordan said. When we asked president of Jordan Brand Keith Houlemard what the name of next year's Jordan would be, he said, “If I was a betting man, the Jordan 2010 would probably be the safe bet.” The first release of the Jordan 2009 is on January 31.

Tila Tequila Is Perplexed

Joe — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 02:16:03 +0000

It's ok, we're confused as to why you're famous too Tila Tequila. [Hollywood Tuna]

If you want Curtis to talk greasy, lead him up to a roof, and put the camera on him. [Nah Right]

You're familiar with the kicks, now check out Gourmet's threads for summer. [SlamxHype]

This Iraqi kid is a G. [Double Viking]

Get Michael Jordan's notorious last shot as a wallpaper for free. [Nice Kicks]

Spike Lee Plots Michael Jordan Documentary

Joe — Wed, 21 May 2008 17:47:14 +0000

Photo: Ray Amati/Getty Images

Film director Spike Lee announced today that he plans to shoot a feature-length documentary about Michael Jordan's last two years in the NBA, using unseen footage of MJ's 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 seasons with the Washington Wizards.

Lee, already an out-of-the-closet Jordan sneaker freak who played Mars Blackmon in past Nike commercials, promises the movie won't be another “fluff piece” that looks back at “His Airness’s” life on and off the court. He hopes the movie will make it into next years Cannes film festival. To see Spike talking about his relationship with Jordan and his 1 of 1 Spizike's check his video interview with Complex after the jump.

[Joblo]

Michael Jordan Commercial Takes The Blame

Joe — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:52:12 +0000

Back in January, Jordan Brand launched their latest marketing movement with their Become Legendary campaign, a set of inspirational commercials that kicked off with the release of the XX3. The latest to hit the tube is this “Maybe It's My Fault” spot, and has Michael Jordan schooling the youth, on possible misconceptions of his storied career. No cameos from Spike Lee or Bugs Bunny, but a slew of depressing shots of an empty locker room, and a ran down playground court set to the tune of MJ's monotone narration makes this memorable. Check the video after the jump.

Eliot Spitzer Chose His Number Wisely

Joe — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 17:30:46 +0000

With the report of Eliot Spitzer's prostitute-smashing alias to be client #9, it got us thinking of what professional athletes Spitz was trying to pay homage to when he was putting work in at the 'tele. After some research, it was evident that the now defunct governor chose his jersey number wisely, and was inspired by athletes past and present like Ted Williams and Tony Romo. Check out the other pros who've worn #9 when it came time to score.

Michael Jordan

Roger Maris

Tony Romo

Bobby Hull

Tony Parker

Ronaldo

Gordie Howe

Ted Williams

ESPN Profiles The Jordan Series

Joe — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:30:17 +0000

On the heels of the Stealth XX3’s that were released Saturday morning, ESPN took an in-depth look at the iconic Jordan series. Check the video that features commentary from Spike Lee, Barack Obama Tinker Hatfield, Chris Paul and more.

[Source]