The most recognizable name in basketball history is Michael Jordan. There is no corner of the world where the mention of “Michael” is surprising. As much as Air Jordan has given the game, is it possible that he, too, is responsible for killing the game?

Michael Jordan was cut from his team when he was a young player. From that day on he vowed to be the best he could be. The unparalleled driving in Jordan is legendary. His ability to score, dunk, play defense and win is unmatched. Of all the traits he possesses, his competitive spirit may be the best attribute of him. Nothing stands between Jordan and success.

When Michael Jordan reached his peak in the late 1980s, it was obvious to the world that he would lead the Chicago Bulls to similar success to the Celtics. The result was an incredible 6 NBA titles under coach Phil Jackson. Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Bill Cartwright, John Paxson and Dennis Rodman represented an unbeatable combination of skill, tenacity and competitiveness. Jordan, the prince of late exploits, was the magnet that made everything flow in the same direction.

Air Jordan shoes from the Nike brand have been sold by the millions. The shoe reflects his game. Smooth, elegant, powerful and explosive. Some will remember that Michael became a good shot only after years of developing his punch due to his drive for perfection. In the end, it was his ability to put the ball down that made him unstoppable. His impulses were strong, fast, and acrobatic. His ability to get to the basket forced the Detroit Pistons to establish an elaborate set of “Jordan Rules” in an attempt to slow him down. Nothing stopped Michael Jordan.

The Michael Jordan phenomenon created new basketball phrases for the game. Players everywhere worked on his ability to “put it down” or “get to the rim.” How many times have you heard “Y 1” when a shot is taken off the dribble? Scoring the dribble slowly became the preferred way to score points in the NBA. As with many popular trends, “the bounce” became the skill that dominated individual practical activity. Players from the NBA through elementary school worked to hone their ball skills and driving ability.

With the advent of Michael’s rim cut, players around the world honed this skill through practice. Was all this activity good for the game? Not only did he focus on dribbling and driving, but he hit the jump shot hard. Since the glory days of Michael Jordan, the art of shooting has steadily declined. Shooting percentages have been on the decline for years. You see pitiful free throw percentages at the NBA, college, and high school levels. Children are growing up without the ability to throw the ball consistently. It’s certainly not fair to blame Jordan for this, but with fame comes responsibility. His fame was so great that if he had started making half-court hook shots, kids in every gym across America would have worked tirelessly to do the same.

The problem with the momentum of the dribble is that every second spent on it takes seconds off jump shots. If repetition produces mastery, lack of repetition equals mediocrity. Shooters are not born they are made. They are made from hours of sweat, hard work, and thousands of shots. Gyms are no longer filled with jump-shooting gym rats. Where did all the gym rats go?

Walk into most gyms these days and you’ll see kids lined up on the three-point line. They stay around this line not to shoot, but to drive to the rim to attempt the dunk. Most kids don’t get a chance to spike, let alone touch the rim. However, visions of SportsCenter dunks are still fresh in their minds. They spend hours trying to get it wet just once. What a waste of time most trainers would tell you. Why? Games are not won on the drive and dunk. They are earned with toughness, fundamentals, and shooting. Yes, I said shoot.

Our children must fall in love once again with the jump shot. No matter how good the slam dunk is, it will never put three points on the scoreboard like the popular three-point shot. Both the drive and the jump shot have their place in the great game of basketball. They can survive together in balance. Let’s open the door and invite the passion for shooting back into the gym.