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| Michael Jordan at 50 |
February 17, 1963, the day The Greatest Basketball Player ever lived was born. 50 years later, the legacy remains untarnished. But there's a growing challenge of making people remember that the greatest basketball feats that was ever done can only be credited to Michael Jordan. Standing at 6 ft 6, few dominated the game like him. Whether it's scoring (10 time NBA Scoring Champion), defending (9 time NBA All-Defensive 1st team, 1 time Defensive Player of the Year, 3 time steals champion), being an All-Star (14 time NBA All-Star), being the Most Valuable Player in a season (5 time MVP), and being an NBA Champion (6 time NBA Champion and Finals MVP), there is only one Michael "Air" Jordan. And as his 50th Birthday comes, let us look back and celebrate Michael Jordan's extraordinary career.
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| Jordan leads North Carolina past Ewing and Georgetown |
A Legend is Born: Michael Jordan's legendary beginnings began when he was cut from making the high school varsity team. Deeply hurt by not making the varsity team, Jordan came back with a vengeance. He rigorously trained and improved his game to prove his doubters wrong. And when he finally made the varsity team, Jordan averaged no less than 20 points per game. He then made a tremendous feat by averaging a triple double (29 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists) in his senior year, making it to the McDonald's All American Team. Jordan joined North Carolina in his college years and was among the team's top scorers. As a Freshman, he was named ACC Freshmen of the year for his stellar play. In the 1982 NCAA Championship game against a Georgetown team led by future NBA Superstar Patrick Ewing, Michael Jordan buried a game winning jump shot. This shot became the turning point of his career as his legendary basketball career began to grow. He was named to the NCAA All-American First team in both his sophomore and junior years and was named the Naismith and Wooden college player of the year. With his college basketball career coming to a close, Jordan turned Pro by deciding to join the NBA Draft in his senior year.
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| Jordan dunks over fellow rookie Hakeem Olajuwon |
Rookie of the Year: Michael Jordan entered the NBA Draft and was eventually pick third by the Chicago Bulls. Two teams ahead of the Bulls in the Draft Pick, Houston and Portland, chose to use their pick on Centers Hakeem Olajuwon and Sam Bowie respectively. But the season neither belonged to the two. Jordan put up monster numbers (28 points per game on 51% shooting) as a rookie. He wowed the audience with his high flying acrobatic dunks and his unbelievable shots, earning him a berth in the annual NBA All-Star game. Jordan would carry the Bulls on his shoulders as they barged into the Playoffs only to loose to the Milwaukee Bucks. Jordan was awarded the NBA Rookie of the Year, besting both Olajuwon and Bowie.
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| Michael Jordan scores 63 points in a single game |
God came down to play basketball: Jordan's sophomore season in the NBA was cut short by injuries. Limited to playing in just 18 games, Jordan led the Bulls just in time to make it to the playoffs despite a mediocre regular season record. There they faced a tough veteran Boston Celtics team led by sharpshooting living legend Larry Bird. This Celtics team is considered as among the greatest teams in the NBA. But this Celtics team could not stop Jordan from scoring 63 points (the most for a single playoff game in NBA history) in Game 2 of their playoff showdown. Though the Bulls were beaten badly and swept from the Playoffs, Jordan's legendary scoring prowess was beginning to grow. In the post game interview, Larry Bird would lament that it is as if God came down to play Basketball by disguising himself as Michael Jordan.
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| Jordan versus his greatest scoring rival, Dominique Wilkins |
Slam Dunk Champion: Michael Jordan would win back to back slam dunk championships in 1987 and 1988, besting Dominique Wilkins in 1988 in one of the greatest slam dunk competitions ever. Dominique Wilkins was one of his greatest rivals when it comes to scoring and putting up exciting plays. Wilkins was dubbed as the Human Highlight Film for his breathtaking power dunks. If Jordan was praised for his graceful dunks, Wilkins was praised for his power dunks. In the 1988 Slam Dunk contest, Jordan would beat Wilkins by soaring from the free throw line, scoring a 50 and besting Wilkins by two points.
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| Jordan and Pippen goes up against future teammate Dennis Rodman |
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Jordan finally gets past Isiah Thomas and his Bad Boys in 1991
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Heartbreak courtesy of the Bad Boys: Despite his popularity and his scoring titles, Jordan still found no playoff success. The Detroit Pistons, known as the Bad Boys for their overtly physical style of play, would frustrate Jordan over and over again. For three consecutive years, the Pistons would eliminate Jordan by utilizing their so called "Jordan Rules". This defensive method calls for the Pistons players to frustrate Jordan by double and triple teaming him, forcing Jordan to either pass the ball or force a low percentage shot. The Pistons would also bully Jordan's younger teammates Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant. But in their fourth encounter, Jordan and the Bulls finally prevailed by overwhelming the Pistons team with Jordan's scoring prowess and his teammates' new found confidence. In the controversial final game between the two teams, the Pistons team walked off the court even before the final buzzer sounded.
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| Jordan nets his First NBA title courtesy of Magic Johnson |
The First NBA Championship: With the Pistons team vanquished, Jordan proceeded to face Magic Johnson and his Los Angeles Lakers. Johnson (along with rival Larry Bird and his Boston Celtics) had been dominating the NBA in the 80's, and finding himself against Jordan in the NBA Finals meant that the usurping future Basketball Hall of Fame in Jordan is clearly on the verge of making the future now. But there was little that Johnson could do. The NBA Finals was hyped as a battle between two NBA Superstars who represents the face of the NBA, one from past and present (Johnson) and one from the present to the future (Jordan). Though Magic and the Lakers would edge Jordan and the Bulls in Game One of the 1991 NBA Finals, there was little Magic and the Lakers could do as Jordan and the Bulls swept the succeeding games en route to their first NBA Championship Title. Jordan's Championship collection (and Finals MVP awards) was just beginning. And he didn't wait for the torch to be passed to him, he gladly took it away from Johnson.
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| Jordan versus Ewing, Same Results |
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| Air Jordan v.s. Clyde the Glide |
Back-to-Back NBA Champions: With the Bulls winning their first NBA Title in the previous year, NBA teams began gunning at them. Chief among them was the New York Knicks (led by one of Jordan's best friends and nemesis Patrick Ewing) and the Portland Trailblazers (led by Clyde "The Glide" Drexler, who shared an almost similar style of play with Jordan). In the Playoffs, Jordan's Bulls team would face Ewing's New York team in the second round. This New York team is out for revenge as both their leaders (Ewing for the NCAA Championship loss to Jordan, and Coach Pat Riley for his former team the Lakers' loss to Jordan in the previous year) had a score to settle with Jordan. In a grueling and physical series that went to a full seven games, Jordan would face a very physical New York team reminiscent of the Detroit Pistons' style of play. But buoyed by his teammates in the first few games, Jordan would take over in the final few games, vanquishing Ewing and the Knicks. Jordan and the Bulls would went on to their second straight NBA Finals appearance, going up against Clyde Drexler and his Portland Trailblazers team. In game one, Jordan would score six three point shots in the first half and finishing with 35 points in the half. His dominance was evident. Jordan and the Bulls would finish Drexler and the Trailblazers in 6 games, nailing their second NBA Title.
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| Jordan scores over Charles Barkley |
Three-Peat, and Jordan says Goodbye: In the summer of 1992, right after winning his second NBA Championship, Jordan would join Magic, Bird, Ewing, Barkley, and other NBA Superstars in the Olympics as they represent Team USA in the basketball event. More popularly known as the Dream Team, they swept the competition en route to a gold medal win by beating opposing teams for an average of 44 points per game. Jordan though wasn't the leading scorer in that squad, that honor belonged to Charles Barkley. Barkley would go on to win the 1993 NBA Regular Season MVP award, denying Jordan his third consecutive MVP award. Barkley and his Phoenix Suns would also be his nemesis in the NBA Finals. After a grueling scoring shootout with Barkley, Jordan and the Bulls prevailed in six games, bringing home their third consecutive NBA Title. This NBA Title though would be the last that Jordan would share with his father.
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| Jordan's brief flirtation with Baseball |
Retirement and Baseball: In the summer after Jordan would win his third consecutive NBA title, his father James Jordan was discovered to be murdered. This (along with Jordan's growing fatigue for the game of Basketball) would become one of Jordan's primary point of decision in stepping away from the game of Basketball. Jordan retired from the NBA at the top of his game, sending shockwaves across the world. Months later, Jordan would resurface in another sport, the sport of Baseball. Fostering dreams of making it to the Major League Baseball (behind the dream of his late father), Jordan signed with a minor league baseball team with the hopes of landing a roster spot in the Major League. His horrible play and the looming Baseball strike would force Jordan to rethink his options. After a year and a half away from Basketball, Jordan finally returned to the NBA via a two worded fax message that simply stated "I'm Back". Jordan rejoined the Chicago Bulls team that he once left behind, dropping 55 points in a game against New York, scoring a game winner against Atlanta, and winning the first round playoff series against the Charlotte Hornets. But he was humiliated in the second round by an up and coming Orlando Magic team. Considered as the team of the future, this Orlando Magic team was led by Shaquille O' Neal, Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway, and former Chicago Bull Horace Grant. The Bulls were finished off in six games. Ending Jordan's attempt at making it back to the top.
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| Jordan joins the hilarious Bugs Bunny and co. in Space Jam |
Space Jam: Jordan got himself back in his usual Basketball game shape during the filming of Space Jam. In the off-season after his defeat, Jordan would do scrimmages against a select NBA All Star squad in between his filming for his debut big screen movie Space Jam. The movie Space Jam is actually a semi autobiographical movie about Jordan's life away from Basketball and his eventual return to it. Mixed with humor and actual game footage, Space Jam was a big hit because not only does the film stars Michael Jordan, it also starts Bugs Bunny and his Looney Tunes buddies. In the film, Bugs kidnaps Jordan in an attempt to convince him to play for his Tune Squad team against a team of aliens who stole the talents of some of the NBA Superstars. The wager was that if the Tune Squad lose, Jordan, Bugs, and company would become slaves. Of course with Jordan on their team, losing was not an option. This game of basketball with the Looney Tunes would eventually inspire Jordan to return to the game of Basketball in the movie. The movie served as an alternate story to Jordan's return to the NBA.
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| Jordan and his Bulls destroys Shaq and Penny |
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Not even the combined talents of Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton could stop Jordan
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The Greatest Team Ever: Jordan's comeback was now in full swing. After having a full training camp and finally being able to work himself to his game shape, Jordan led his Bulls team to perhaps the greatest season ever in any sports history. This magical season produced a 72 win and 10 loss record, the winningest team in NBA history. Jordan never had much fun before as this season was. The arrival of longtime nemesis Dennis Rodman helped Jordan, Pippen, Kukoc, and company rise back to the top. Jordan and the Bulls racked up wins after wins, putting out the greatest show ever as arenas were packed to watch Jordan's amazing comeback. In the playoffs, Jordan and the Bulls would have their revenge as they faced off against the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals. Jordan and the Bulls easily destroyed the so called team of the future, dismantling Orlando by sweeping them. This utter embarrassment and Jordan's dominance would lead Shaq to transfer to the Western Conference in the off season. He signed with the Los Angeles Lakers and out of Jordan's way. Jordan and the Bulls would then square off against a Seattle Supersonics team that was led by Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton in the NBA Finals. And as dominating as ever, Jordan and the Bulls finished off the Supersonics in six games, netting their fourth NBA Championship. Afterward, an emotional Jordan would clutch the game ball as this was his first NBA championship without his father, which was incidentally won on a Father's Day.
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| Michael Jordan was a 14 time NBA All-Star |
NBA All-Star's First Ever Triple Double: Jordan for his career was a 14 time NBA All-Star. But none possibly could be more memorable than the All-Star game that netted him and the NBA the first ever triple double in an All-Star Game. During his second season since his first retirement, Jordan posted a triple double in the annual All-Star game by posting 14 points, 11 Rebounds, and 11 Assists. Jordan though did not win the All-Star MVP as the award went to Glenn Rice who scored 24 points in a half, the most by anyone in an All-Star Game. Despite not winning the award, Jordan went on to have a successful season. He led his Bulls team with a 69 wins and 13 loss record, the second best in NBA history (second to their record setting 72 wins in the previous season).
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| Jordan and the famous Flu Game |
Second Back to Back: As previously mentioned, Jordan's second season from his first retirement continued to be a huge success. Though he didn't win the All-Star MVP award and the Regular Season Award (the award went to Utah Jazz's Karl Malone), Jordan and the Bulls still posted a 69 win season. In the NBA Finals, Jordan and the Bulls would face Karl Malone and John Stockton's Utah Jazz. Karl Malone was one of NBA History's most prolific scorers. So a scoring showdown with Jordan was inevitable. During the crucial fifth game of the NBA Finals series with the series tied at 2-2 apiece, Jordan would suffer a stomach virus. Famously known as the "Flu Game" Jordan played the game despite being dehydrated. Jordan finished with 38 points, including the game deciding three pointer with 25 seconds left. Jordan had to be helped off the court by his teammates during time outs. This remarkable feat changed the course of the series and in Game Six, the Bulls finally finished off the Utah Jazz. This was Jordan and the Bulls 5th NBA title and their second back to back.
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| 1998 NBA Finals: The Last Shot! |
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| The Chicago Bulls team that won the repeat three-peat |
The Last Waltz: Brewing frustrations and disappointments with the Bulls management became the central theme of Jordan's final season as a Chicago Bull. It did not help that this distraction and injuries to Scottie Pippen and Toni Kukoc would force Jordan to carry the Bulls team on his shoulders again for much of the season. Dennis Rodman's off court distractions also became an annoyance. But despite these, Jordan still managed to lead the Bulls to a 62-20 record. Pippen and Kukoc would rejoin Jordan just in time as the Bulls made their final push in the Playoff standings. Jordan and the Bulls faced a grueling seven game series against Reggie Miller and his Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, surviving the showdown in seven games. In the NBA Finals, a familiar opponent was waiting. Karl Malone and John Stockton's Utah Jazz was hungry for a rematch. With an injured Scottie Pippen playing a sub-par series, Jordan once again had to carry much of the load. In the waning seconds of Game 6, down by three, Jordan drove past an array of Jazz defenders and cut the deficit to one. On the ensuing play, Jordan spectacularly stole the ball from Malone and set up the final play of his Chicago Bulls career. Dribbling the ball up court and nixing any time out call, Jordan scored a buzzer beating jump shot on a hapless Bryon Russell, swishing nothing but net. This final shot punctuated Michael Jordan's career as a Chicago Bull. Jordan and the Bulls won their Sixth NBA Title. During the Off Season an NBA Players lockout happened. The team was eventually broken up as Coach Phil Jackson retired and Pippen opted to be traded. Jordan eventually decided to retire the second time around due to these three developments. (More 1998 NBA Finals The Last Shot photos here
http://actionfigureplanet.blogspot.com/2015/09/1998-nba-finals-last-shot.html)
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| Jordan goes up against Kobe Bryant in the All Star Game |
The Final Comeback: Jordan didn't stay away from the game of Basketball that long. In 2001, Jordan joined the Washington Wizards in the front office and as part owner and as President for Basketball Operations. Jordan re organized the team roster, trading away veterans in exchange for having rebuilding plans utilizing draft picks and rookies as the cornerstone for his program. Jordan Drafted athletic high schooler Kwame Brown as their No. 1 pick (who became a bust). At this time, the league was dominated by Shaquille O' Neal and young Superstar Kobe Bryant under the guidance of Jordan's most successful coach who won him six NBA titles, Phil Jackson and his crew. But his Washington Wizards continued to have a languishing losing record, Jordan's competitive fire was reawakened. In the following season, he eventually decided to make his second comeback. He hired one of his former Chicago Bulls coach Doug Collins and re organized the roster once more. Jordan traded away young talented shooting guard Richard Hamilton for Jerry Stackhouse, bringing in a win now mentality. However, Jordan's career as a Washington Wizard lasted only two seasons and without any team success. In his first season, Jordan suffered injuries, playing only in 60 games. But despite that, Jordan led the team in scoring by averaging close to 23 points per game. He also averaged 5.2 assists and 1.42 steals per game. The Wizards ended up with a losing record and failed to make the playoffs. In the following season, Jordan came back stronger and healthier. Jordan played in all 82 regular season games and averaged 20 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. He also played his final All-Star game, netting 20 points and nearly won the game for the Eastern Conference team behind his patented buzzer beating jump shots. The East though would lose in a double overtime thriller as Jordan's go ahead jump shot was put to waste because of a team mate's error in fouling Kobe Bryant, who sent the game to overtime. In Jordan's final season, arenas were packed as fans from all over America filled the arenas to see Jordan one last time. When the season ended, Jordan (who was about to return to his role as President for Basketball Operations) was fired by Wizards majority owner Abe Pollin. This ended Jordan's stint with Washington.
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| Jordan spends much of his free time playing Golf |
A new team, a new beginning: In his third retirement, Jordan would spend much of his time playing golf while also tending to his multi-million business, the Air Jordan Brand which is a subsidiary of Sports footwear and apparel giant, Nike. In 2006, Jordan bought a minority stake as Charlotte Bobcats owner. This became the stepping stone for Jordan to eventually purchase the team. Bringing in a group of investors, Jordan bought the majority stake, making him the majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats. Jordan's wrong decisions continue to haunt him. As Bobcats owner, Jordan was influential in drafting Gonzaga star Adam Morrison, whom he thought would be the second coming of Larry Bird. Morrison was a dud, and the Bobcats continued to lose. They did experience success when they acquired a group of veterans through trades. In 2010, they clinched a Playoff spot under the coaching of Larry Brown and were led on the court by Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson, only to lose in the first round of the Playoffs. This success would not last long however, and Jordan and his advisers decided to break up the team. In the abbreviated 2011-2012 NBA Season, the Bobcats finished the season with a record as the worst team in NBA history. So far Jordan's success as a basketball player is still yet to be translated to his front office work. But like the Jordan we know, he is taking this setback as a challenge. With the current make up of the team, composed of young and promising talents, Jordan hopes one day that his team will finally find success. Jordan to this very day still laces up his Air Jordans from time to time and play one on one games with his younger players. And as what current Jordan draftee Michael Kidd-Gilchrist said, Jordan still has it. And Kidd-Gilchrist was one of his victims as Jordan beat him in a one-on-one game.
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| We could only dream of this matchup |
Chasing Michael Jordan's Legacy: There were a lot of names that were touted to be the successor to Jordan's throne. Names such as Grant Hill, Jerry Stackhouse, Allen Iverson, Vince Carter, Penny Hardaway, Tracy McGrady, and a host of others. But none were as worthy as Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers and now Lebron James of the Miami Heat. I will not be surprised to know if ever that Jordan did his Washington Wizards comeback because he wanted to derail Shaq and Kobe's dominance in the NBA. Kobe Bryant who largely patterned his game to Jordan's began winning multiple titles. With Shaq, he won three, and without Shaq he won two. Kobe now possesses 5 NBA titles, one shy from Jordan's Kobe is also largely known as a ruthless scorer, the type not seen since Jordan's playing years. Kobe has been breaking scoring records and the younger generation who have not seen Jordan play, is starting to state their case that Kobe is better than Jordan. Lebron James on the other hand has just won his first NBA title last season, almost the same age when Jordan won his first. Lebron has become the most dominant basketball player in the NBA today, perhaps even supplanting an aging Kobe Bryant. But for me, these two guys still has long ways to go before they can usurp Jordan's title as arguably the greatest basketball player in NBA and basketball history. Both might overtake Jordan in statistical points as both started playing in the NBA at a much younger age than Jordan, but that should not be enough to be considered as a basis. Jordan revolutionized the game of Basketball. Jordan was more than just a superstar, he was larger than basketball itself. Kobe and Lebron is still yet to reach Jordan's influential status. Both doesn't even have a successful shoe brand in the same way how Jordan's Air Jordan became one of Nike's top selling shoe line. Jordan also played in an era when players were more physical. I'm not sure if Kobe or Lebron could have even beaten Detroit's Bad Boys style of defending Jordan. I'm sure just about now as Jordan pushes 50, he still wishes that he could turn back the clock and engage Kobe and Lebron in an epic basketball game. But sadly that will never happen. For now, we could only celebrate Michael Jordan's Legacy as a Basketball Player on his 50th birthday. Happy 50th Birthday Michael Jordan. Thanks for inspiring me to learn how to play Basketball.
In 2009, Michael Jordan was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame. Here's a list of his accomplishments (courtesy of Wikipedia):
Check out Jordan's complete list of Achievements
here
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