If there is ever one name to mention when great basketball players come into consideration, then surely the name that comes to the mind of all basketball fans is Michael Jordan. He brought an amalgamation of athleticism, skills, a strong mindset, and leadership, along with his gigantic influence on popularising the game to create an undeniable legend of being one of the greatest basketball players in history. How great, though, was Michael Jordan? Let's see his journey.
On February 17, 1963, Michael Jordan was born in Brooklyn, New York. Growing up, his parents were competitive. His father, James Jordan, provided much for him and helped him to love sports. His older brother, Larry, was the first person to compete against him. Although Jordan was very athletic, his height was problematic for him early on. Jordan was 5’11 when he was attending high school, so people did not see him as the best player. But that was going to change.
Jordan's high school career is legendary. When he grew taller, he became very strong at basketball. He averaged 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists per game, which was incredible. He quickly went from a slow start to becoming a star. His tough playing style, skill at leading the game, and ability to guide his team started to define his future.
Jordan attended the University of North Carolina (UNC) for college in 1981. In his freshman year, he averaged 13 points and garnered 4 rebounds with 2 assists per game, good enough for third place behind James Worthy and Sam Perkins in the team's scoring chart. The shot he made for UNC at the end sealed their win over Georgetown in the 1982 NCAA Finals, put him into the legends of basketball, and made him more confident for years afterward.
In his second and third years, Jordan continued to dazzling people by scoring an average of 20 points per game and being featured on the Consensus First-Team All-American list. More awards followed, such as Collegiate Player of the Year in 1984. Still, many thought that he did not stand a chance in the NBA, as his college career was far from the most dominant performances ever registered by other great players before him.
Chicago Bulls drafted him in the year 1984, and that was when Jordan joined the NBA. In the 1987 season, he was the league leader in scoring, averaging 37 points per game, giving an idea of how great he could be as a scorer. However, the playoffs seemed a nightmare for Jordan and his Bulls, and the tough "Bad Boys" team from Detroit kept stopping them from winning a championship.
Even though he struggled in the playoffs, Jordan's 1988 season was incredible. He averaged 35 points, pulled 6 rebounds, had 6 assists per game, and won both the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards. Jordan also won the 1988 Slam Dunk Contest, proving he was more than just a scorer but a full player. But once more, the Pistons triumphed over the Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Jordan was frustrated since he could not pass the Pistons, but he still played well. In 1989 and 1990, he received many awards, but the Pistons kept stopping the Bulls from winning the championship, beating them in the playoffs in both years.
Adding Horace Grant and Scottie Pippen in 1989 was very important. Jordan's scoring, combined with Pippen's all-around skills and Grant's defense and rebounding, made the core of a team that could win a championship. In the 1989 playoffs, Jordan scored a lot, averaging an amazing 45 points per game in a first-round sweep against the Cleveland Cavaliers. But the Pistons were still in the way.
When Jackson came, he gave the Bulls new energy. With Pippen's complete game helping Jordan's, the Bulls had a pair that could compete with the best. Together, they ruled the NBA for many years.
In the early '90s, Jordan and the Bulls became an unbeatable team. In 1991, they won the NBA Finals against the Portland Trail Blazers. Jordan averaged 31 points, 8.5 assists, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game, which put him in a league of his own. The next year, Jordan played even better, and the Bulls again defeated the Blazers in the Finals, averaging 36 points per game. The "Shrug Game" became legendary as a demonstration of how well he could score. In 1993, Jordan helped the Bulls win their third consecutive title by defeating the Phoenix Suns. This series also saw his famous Game 2, where he scored 55 points.
After his father died in 1993, Jordan stepped away from basketball to play baseball for a little while. But by 1995, he was ready to get back into basketball. Jordan returned and almost immediately proved he was still the best, scoring 55 points in his fifth game. The Bulls lost to the Orlando Magic in the postseason.
In the middle of the 1990s, the Bulls assembled one of the greatest teams in NBA history. They added Dennis Rodman, who was outstanding at defence and rebounding. Jordan, Pippen, and important players such as Steve Kerr worked together very well. The team won its fourth NBA title and set a record of 72 games in 1996.
With Utah Jazz in consecutive Finals from 1997-1998, Jordan became one of the legends in clutch performances during the series. His "Flu Game" in 1997 and the iconic "Last Shot" in 1998 against Byron Russell would etch him into one's mind as that player who does great things when it counts the most.
He retired for a second time in 1998 after his sixth championship. This left behind a legacy that will be closely aligned with basketball's greats.
Michael Jordan was the best player on the court. He won many scoring titles, was named to the First-Team All-Defensive selection nine times, and was known for making big plays that motivated his teammates. Outside of basketball, he became a worldwide figure, changing basketball culture and fashion with his work with Nike and the Air Jordan brand. People will always differ on who the "Greatest of All Time" is, but Jordan's skills in scoring, defence,
