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Bigger Illini role for Jordan's son?

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Jeff Jordan came to Illinois without much more than a famous name. His talent didn't earn him a scholarship, and there were few, if any, on-court expectations. Illinois fans called Jordan's arrival two years ago a nice story -- legend's son picks Illinois -- and wondered how often his dad might catch a game at Assembly Hall. But people who've known Jordan since he stepped on the court at Loyola Academy in Chicago's north suburbs say he brought something else with him south to Champaign -- a chip on his shoulder. Now, as Jordan finishes up his sophomore year -- with scholarship in hand -- the departure of Illinois tough-guy guard Chester Frazier is creating an opening. Coach Bruce Weber says it's one that Michael Jordan's oldest son could help fill if he puts in the work. Weber has said something similar every year about Jordan. The coach talked in Jordan's freshman year about how the young guard needed to find a niche to fill, then before the season that just ended about how he needed to work to push beyond the four or five minutes a game he'd carved out for himself. So far, he's cleared every hurdle Weber has pointed him toward. Jordan played 5.3 minutes in 26 games as a freshman walk-on. This past season he bumped those numbers up to 8.4 minutes and 33 games. He was one of three reserves in Weber's regular rotation. But assuming Frazier's role, even just a part of it, won't be just another hurdle.

Chicago Tribune

Jeff Jordan, Getty Images Jeff Jordan, Getty Images
April 11, 2009  02:59 PM ET

Glad to here the lad is working hard and improving.

The article never answered the critical question of whether Dad is attending the games. The other thread did mention Dad's weight gain however.

April 11, 2009  04:22 PM ET

I think it is nice to see a needy kid get a scholarship. It is his ticket out.

April 11, 2009  06:35 PM ET
QUOTE(#2):

I think it is nice to see a needy kid get a scholarship. It is his ticket out.

You hate to see these kids with no paternal guidance idolize these philandering has-beens like Michael Jordan who don't even go to their own children's games.

Plus with no parent around this kids deface themselves with body graffiti. Look at this tattoo. Kid thinks he is getting a Chinese poem and his right arm says "Boy who fart in church sit in pew". Sad.

April 11, 2009  08:05 PM ET

Good luck to the kid. Can't be easy to have his fathers name attached to him

April 11, 2009  11:52 PM ET
QUOTE(#4):

Good luck to the kid. Can't be easy to have his fathers name attached to him

Ummm, Aloy, you're are a smart guy. I'm not seeing this one.

His dad isn't Jeffry Dahmer, he's MJ. I see plenty of upside, and probably getting the benefit of the doubt and the lower level of play he is at.

How does a multimillionaire sports icon of the century pretty darn cool dad hurt?

April 12, 2009  12:27 PM ET
QUOTE(#3):

You hate to see these kids with no paternal guidance idolize these philandering has-beens like Michael Jordan who don't even go to their own children's games.Plus with no parent around this kids deface themselves with body graffiti. Look at this tattoo. Kid thinks he is getting a Chinese poem and his right arm says "Boy who fart in church sit in pew". Sad.

His dad has been at plenty of Illinois games and practices. Your post is powerful and attractive, even if it does lack any bases of the truth.

April 12, 2009  02:52 PM ET
QUOTE(#2):

I think it is nice to see a needy kid get a scholarship. It is his ticket out.

That's funny, 50 Year.....

April 13, 2009  02:15 PM ET

But people who've known Jordan since he stepped on the court at Loyola Academy in Chicago's north suburbs say he brought something else with him south to Champaign -- a chip on his shoulder.

"A chip on his shoulder" translates into "an overwhelming sense of entitlement" and taking a scholarship that you clearly don't need reinforces my position. Someone is not getting a free education because this guy is a toilet mint. I've got news for you cowboy, you aren't entitled to a god damned thing.

April 13, 2009  02:16 PM ET

Can't he be "just like Mike"?

April 14, 2009  01:40 AM ET

Scholarships are about merit, if you're good enough, you get the scholarship. The needy kids can fill out the FAFSA and get need based aid just like everyone else. It worked for me.

April 14, 2009  09:14 PM ET
QUOTE(#5):

Ummm, Aloy, you're are a smart guy. I'm not seeing this one.His dad isn't Jeffry Dahmer, he's MJ. I see plenty of upside, and probably getting the benefit of the doubt and the lower level of play he is at.How does a multimillionaire sports icon of the century pretty darn cool dad hurt?

Expectations?? He might have one or two...

 
April 14, 2009  09:15 PM ET
QUOTE(#9):

Can't he be "just like Mike"?

No.. But he can be like Mars..

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