Remembering Tyson, Thinking of Jordan

It wasn’t that long ago when only a few people recognized that Mike Tyson had some serious personal problems. But everyone close to Tyson kept quiet for fear of losing their meal ticket. The result was an ugly incident in a hotel room, leaving Tyson to spend time behind bars instead of on the therapist’s couch.

Everyone around Michael Jordan is in denial, including Michael. Michael says he did bet, but it wasn’t that much. His dad says he just has a problem of being too competitive. The Bulls’ management says Michael can do what he wants with his own time. And the NBA office says it has no official policy on betting other than on NBA basketball.

Are there too many people more concerned about Michael Jordan the property, rather than Michael Jordan the person? Will Michael get help before his addiction worsens? Or will the NBA’s greatest treasure become tarnished and become the Pete Rose of basketball?

RAY STRYKALA

Garden Grove