Although, a summary of his basketball career and influence on the
game inevitably fails to do it justice, as a phenomenal athlete with a
unique combination of fundamental soundness, grace, speed, power,
artistry, improvisational ability and an unquenchable competitive
desire, Jordan single-handedly redefined the NBA superstar.
Even contemporaneous superstars recognized the unparalleled
position of Jordan. Magic Johnson said, "There's Michael Jordan and
then there is the rest of us." Larry Bird, following a playoff game
where Jordan dropped 63 points on the Boston Celtics in just his
second season, appraisal of the young player was: "God disguised as
Michael Jordan.
A brief listing of his top accomplishments would include the
following: Rookie of the Year; Five-time NBA MVP; Six-time NBA
champion; Six-time NBA Finals MVP; Ten-time All-NBA First Team;
Nine time NBA All-Defensive First Team; Defensive Player of the
Year; 14-time NBA All-Star; Three-time NBA All-Star MVP; 50th
Anniversary All-Time Team; Ten scoring titles -- an NBA record and
seven consecutive matching Wilt Chamberlain; Retired with the
NBA's highest scoring average of 30.1ppg.
Michael Jordan makes the jump shot that catapults the Bulls over the
Utah Jazz in the 1998 Finals. However, his impact is far greater than
awards and championships. He burst into the league as a rookie
sensation scoring in droves with an unmatchable first step and
acrobatic drives and dunks and concluded his career as a cultural
icon. Along the way, he became a true champion who spearheaded the
globalization of the NBA with his dynamic on court abilities and
personal sense of style that was marketed to the masses.
He was an accessible star who managed to maintain an air of
mystique. He was visible as "Air Jordan," as part of a sneaker
advertising campaign and endorsing other products as well as the star
of the movie, Space Jam. However, he would vanish into retirement
twice only to return until hanging up the sneakers for the last time
after the 2002-03 season.
Although Brooklyn born, Jordan was bred in the more tranquil North
Carolina. The son of Delores and James Jordan, he shared a special
bond with his father, which included baseball being both of their first
love. However, following his older brother, Larry, whom he idolized
and was a spectacular athlete in his own right, Jordan began to play
basketball.
Jordan, coming off a gold medal performance at the 1984 Olympics
prospered in the pro game with a fabulous first season, earning the
NBA Rookie of the Year Award. He averaged 28.2 ppg, (third behind
Bernard King and Bird) 6.5 rpg and 5.9 apg. He also was selected to
the All-NBA Second Team. Perhaps more important, the Bulls
improved to win 11 more games than in the season prior to his arrival
and made it to the playoffs. Jordan averaged 29.3 ppg in the first
round series, but the Bulls lost in four games to the Milwaukee Bucks.
In his first season, he did not have outstanding shooting range and
was thought to roam to often on defense resulting from playing
trapping defenses in college according to his first NBA coach, Kevin
Loughery. Yet, his medium game -- eight to 15-feet from the basket
was impressive as evidenced by his .515 field-goal shooting
percentage and his steals tended to compensate for his less than
stellar straight-up defense. Improvement in both areas would come
and he would ultimately be regarded as threat from anywhere on the
floor and one of the best ever one-on-one defenders.
"There's Michael Jordan and then there is the rest of us."
-- Magic Johnson
Even in the exhibition season before his rookie campaign, players and
coaches were sure that the Rockets and Blazers would regret their
picks. King, the eventual leading scorer for that upcoming season,
seemed sure as well when he spoke to Hoop magazine after a 1984
preseason game.
"All I can say," King says, "is that the people in Chicago are in for a
real treat."
He was right. Jordan's greatness and likeabilty was apparent in just
his first season. Home attendance at the venerable Chicago Stadium
and on the road rose dramatically. Fans of opposing teams were
seemingly content to see their team lose if in return Jordan put on
show.
Jordan's personal style was equally authentic and unique as his
basketball skills. Nike signed him to a major shoe deal because of his
anticipated appeal, but he surpassed even the loftiest of expectations.
One version of the sneakers he wore in his first preseason was an
unseen before blend of his team's red and black colors that the NBA
initially considered in violation of the "uniformity of uniform rule."
Subject to fines if he continued to wear them, he occasionally did and
the demand for that version and others in the Air Jordan line was
unprecedented.
The rookie's mesmerizing effect was even suggested to have extended
to referees as it was said that he was getting veteran preferential
treatment allowing him to take that additional step on route to the
basket rather than being whistle for a travelling violation. Many
assessed that he eluded defenders so easily that he had to be
travelling. However, video break down established that his first step
was just so quick and that he was not in violation of the rulebook.
Despite all the attention, Jordan retained a sense of humility. He did
not ridicule the Blazers for not taking him. Early on in his first
season, he told Sports Illustrated, "He [Bowie] fits in better than I
would. They have an overabundance of big guards and small
forwards." His self-effacement was more apparent when in that same
article he said, "I'd like to play in at least one All-Star game."
Three games into his second season, he broke a bone in his left foot.
He was voted to the All-Star team but could not play as he was
sidelined for 64 games. However, he came back late in the year to
score a NBA playoff-record 63 points in a first-round game against
the Celtics. The Bulls lost that game 132-131 in double-overtime and
the series in a sweep, but Jordan averaged 43.7 ppg in the series. If
there were any doubters to that point about Jordan's ability, surely
there were no more.
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