 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 . 
