Did Michael Jordan Ever Quit....?

Michael Jordan didn't even let the referees quit during his games. Just imagine how he
feels about "The Quitness" and watching the Lakers fold against Dallas last Sunday.

Let's take a trip through history, shall we? Today marks the one-year anniversary of what Cleveland Cavaliers fans call "The Quitness" – a day that eventually led to LeBron James taking his talents to South Beach.

Over the years, a lot of athletes have been chided for not giving 100 percent every game of every season. Few were ever crucified as much as LBJ after going 3 for 14 against the Celtics, and no doubt, for the kind of money King James is making a 3 for 14 showing shouldn't happen – especially at home.

The real question is, what is it about this time of year that makes people want to quit? Is it the fact that school is getting out and summer is just around the corner? Or maybe the blazing sun is frying people's brains?

Either way, LeBron wasn't the last athlete to give up. Just a few days ago, the entire Los Angeles Lakers team threw in the towel while getting swept by Dallas. While Kobe Bryant didn't quit per-se – Phil Jackson actually took him out before the game ended – that makes two mega superstars who ended the season on a bad note.

Who knows? Maybe Kobe is thinking about taking his talents to South Beach, as well. What I do know is that Michael Jordan never quit and was only swept out of the playoffs twice – both occurring in his first two years and not in his prime.

We've all heard how Jordan was cut in high school. Now, just imagine if he had quit right then. He might be just another Joe Small Businessman trying to make his way in the world instead of one of the greatest players to ever strap on... well Jordans.

Everybody wants to compare James and Bryant to Jordan – it's just natural. Even when Kobe and LeBron say they want to be their own man, they can't help but be overshadowed by what His Airness did.

Kobe has the titles to be in the conversation, while LeBron is still looking for his. But what Michael did – along with Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman to some extent – was he changed the face of basketball for the city of Chicago. He took a team that was just another small market in the Midwest and turned it into America's team.

LeBron was well on his way to doing the same thing in Cleveland with even less to work with – that is until last year. Now, he's become more of a No. 2 to Dwyane Wade in Miami. He might get his first ring in Miami – a place that's no stranger to titles – as long as the Heat can get past LeBron's old nemisis, the Celtics.

But you have to wonder, was it really worth it – spurning family, friends and a entire city that loved you – just so you could hand the reigns to someone else and share the responsibility?