Focus on Statue of Michael Jordan and explore the Reception and legacy.
Some complain that the sculpture does not depict Jordan's well-known open-mouthed tongue wag. Chicago Tribune art critic Alan G. Artner says the inscription at the base that reads "The best there ever was. The best there ever will be." refers only to the subject and not the sculpture.  Following the Bulls' second three-peat after Jordan's return, the statue became a sports mecca for fans to gather and take photographs. ESPN The Magazine listed the sculpture as one of the ten greatest sports photo opportunities in 1998.In 1994, 55 (originally planned for 123 pieces) 28-inch (71.1 cm) bronze maquettes of the sculpture on 6-inch (15.2 cm) granite bases were produced by the Rotblatt-Amranys and sold at $10,000 ($19,205 in 2022 dollars) each as a fundraiser for the James Jordan Boys & Girls Club. The TNT 2-hour broadcast of the original ceremony had also been in part a fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Club, but some had thought it was overdone and ungraceful.At times, the statue has been adorned with various Chicago Blackhawks player jerseys.  When Denis Savard's jersey was retired on March 19, 1998, fans put his jersey on the statue, but it was removed one hour later. During the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals, United Center personnel added an ice hockey helmet, a Reebok jersey of captain Jonathan Toews and Reebok ice skates to the statue. Within 48 hours, the Reebok logos on the ice skates had been covered by Nike stickers. When Chicagoan Barack Obama welcomed the Blackhawks to the White House as President of the United States, he made mention of the jersey being placed on the Jordan statue. In May 2011, there was an announcement the Hockey Hall of Famers Stan Mikita and Bobby Hull would have statues placed outside of the United Center near Jordan's sometime early during the 2011–12 NHL season.
ESPN The Magazine Boys & Girls Club Barack Obama Jonathan Toews Chicago maquette Chicago Blackhawks TNT 2010 Stanley Cup Finals Reebok Chicago Tribune White House Stan Mikita Denis Savard captain United Center hockey helmet 2011–12 NHL season ice skate Bobby Hull Hockey Hall of Fame President of the United States