"NBA Ring Culture: The Gift & Curse"

It's been an ongoing discussion in the NBA for decades about a sacred 
piece of jewelry. A lot of great players can say they've won a ring or 
multiple; depending on who you ask. For many players, we've seen 
good, great, generational, and out of this world amaze fans. What 
happens when their careers come to a close? How did "ring culture" 
become a checkbox to complete? 

Allow me to break this down in simple terms from my introspect. Ring 
culture has been blessed and cursed in part of NBA legends. Winning 
multiple championships comes with high praises and lifelong curses of 
being in this heated debate. When Michael Jordan won six rings in eight 
seasons, it started back then. 

Jordan retired the first time in 1998; in an era he dominated and the 
media coverage was very secure in doing so. All the games, 
championships, headlines and context gave national sports media the 
green light. Once Jordan retired for good in 2004, that was a very high 
feat to achieve. It became the standard to do it Jordan's way. 

We as fans have seen this evolve in real time, as LeBron James 
discussed it on his podcast. Even he has questioned ring culture to 
making you a great player. Winning a title puts you in the conversation 
among legends. The toxicity around this stems from the national media. 
They've never let go of Jordan's standards and continue to hold other 
players against what they've already accomplished. 

If truth be told as I'm playing the villain, the media moves the goal posts 
for who they want. Jordan's way of winning put them in awe; whereas   
the late great Bill Russell's rings are five more than Jordan's. Nobody 

brings up Russell's eleven rings; I wonder why. The response is: 
"Russell played against guys who weren't on his level." Oh, is that right? 
What about his titan competitor in Wilt Chamberlain? Didn't they face off 
several times in the old Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers in the 
1960s?

Oh, we don't mention how both Chamberlain and Jerry West have one 
ring a piece? How about Julius Erving having one ring? You see the 
pattern here? Larry Bird winning three rings, Magic Johnson having five 
rings, Isiah Thomas two rings. Dominque Wilkins was a great player but 
no rings. It's only uttered when Jordan set the bar for generations after 
him.

The same media who said during James' playoff shortcomings he 
needed to change his trajectory, burned him for the next four years in 
Miami. He wasn't considered a great player until winning a ring solidified 
his legacy. James done it his way and the media set a tone of "MJ didn't 

go about this way and doesn't count." It's been the narrative for twenty-
three years since James has played professional basketball. Constantly

micromanaged by the media and they often utter Jordan's name.

Anytime James discusses the nuances of basketball, national sports
media spins it to create a false narrative. This tells me they're insecure
in reporting. Let's go ahead and call a spade a spade: "gatekeeping."
Yes, gatekeeping for Michael Jordan is a curse because of how many of
them were infatuated with Jordan's accolades. This remains relevant in
2025 and Jordan hasn't played basketball since James has been in the
league.

The blessing is winning rings, but cursed in part of who the media
moves the goalposts for. Ring culture has ruined basketball and how it's
covered. National sports media pundits will not accept and embrace

what the last generation has done. James' career will always be
compared to Jordan's for years after he retires.

As a fan, I'm not here to say if it matters. I can only appreciate the
greatness the present have done. One day in the coming seasons,
LeBron James won't be taking the floor opening night. It'll be a sad night
for fans who've watched him achieve many milestones but the media
will continue to curse him with "ring culture." We can't enjoy basketball
without having the discussion of this toxic debate of rings. It sets up the
future players who are really good, but have to hear the same song and
verse about "you can't be a great player without winning a ring."

For the sake of fans, let's stop this notion and appreciate what's in front
of us. You can be great and hall of fame recipients without
championships. Ask those who've been to at least one NBA Finals
against the greatest players and didn't win. Do we burn them for not
having a ring? Just saying!