Michael Jordan, often hailed as the greatest basketball player of all time, was more than just an athlete; he was a global icon whose influence transcended the sport. He cultivated an aura of mystique while remaining surprisingly accessible, becoming synonymous with the “Air Jordan” brand and captivating audiences in movies like “Space Jam.” His career, marked by two retirements and subsequent returns, spanned from his debut in the 1984-85 season to his final bow in 2002-03, leaving an indelible mark on the NBA and popular culture.
Born in Brooklyn but raised in the serene landscapes of North Carolina, Michael Jordan was the son of Delores and James Jordan. He shared a deep bond with his father, initially connecting over baseball. However, inspired by his older brother Larry, a gifted athlete in his own right, Jordan gravitated towards basketball.
He honed his skills at Laney High School in Wilmington, North Carolina. Despite his passion, the 5-foot-11 sophomore faced a setback when he was cut from the varsity team. This rejection fueled his determination. During the summer before his junior year, a growth spurt to 6-foot-3 signaled the dawn of his ascent to basketball stardom.
Jordan’s journey continued at the University of North Carolina, a dream destination for the Tar Heel devotee. As a freshman, he initially played in the shadows of upperclassmen James Worthy and Sam Perkins. However, the 1982 NCAA championship game against Georgetown provided the stage for his breakout moment. Facing another exceptional freshman, Patrick Ewing, Jordan demonstrated the clutch performance that would define his career. He scored 16 points, secured nine rebounds, and crucially, sank the game-winning 16-foot jump shot with just 18 seconds remaining, securing a 63-62 victory.
His sophomore year saw him recognized as College Player of the Year by The Sporting News. This accolade was repeated in his junior year, alongside the prestigious Naismith and Wooden Awards. After his junior season, Jordan declared for the 1984 NBA Draft and was selected third overall by the Chicago Bulls.
The 1984 NBA Draft is remembered for the decision that altered the trajectories of two franchises. The Houston Rockets, as expected, selected 7-foot center Hakeem Olajuwon from the University of Houston as the first pick. The Portland Trail Blazers, holding the second pick, made a less conventional choice, opting for 7-foot-1 center Sam Bowie from Kentucky. Despite Bowie’s history of injuries in college, the Blazers passed on Jordan, citing the presence of Clyde Drexler, a promising shooting guard drafted the previous year. While Drexler enjoyed a successful career, Bowie’s was marred by injuries, making the Blazers’ decision a subject of enduring debate.
Fresh off a gold medal win at the 1984 Olympics, Jordan seamlessly transitioned to the professional level. His rookie season was nothing short of sensational, earning him the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. He averaged an impressive 28.2 points per game (third in the league behind Bernard King and Larry Bird), 6.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists. He was also named to the All-NBA Second Team. Jordan’s immediate impact was evident in the Bulls’ improved performance, as they won 11 more games than the previous season and secured a playoff berth. In his first playoff series, Jordan averaged 29.3 points per game, but the Bulls were swept by the Milwaukee Bucks in four games.
Early in his career, Jordan’s shooting range was considered a developing aspect of his game, and his defensive approach, influenced by college trapping defenses, was perceived as occasionally over-aggressive by his first NBA coach, Kevin Loughery. However, his mid-range game, particularly from 8 to 15 feet, was already highly effective, reflected in his .515 field-goal percentage. His knack for steals often compensated for any perceived shortcomings in his straight-up defense.
Jordan diligently worked to refine these areas, ultimately becoming a threat from anywhere on the court and widely regarded as one of the best one-on-one defenders in NBA history.
Even during the preseason of his rookie year, the basketball community recognized the potential missteps by the Rockets and Blazers. Bernard King, who would lead the league in scoring that season, remarked to Hoop magazine after a 1984 preseason game, “All I can say is that the people in Chicago are in for a real treat.”
King’s prediction proved accurate. Jordan’s exceptional talent and magnetic personality were evident from his debut season. Attendance at Chicago Stadium and on the road surged dramatically. Fans, even those supporting opposing teams, seemed willing to accept defeat if it meant witnessing a Jordan spectacle.
Jordan’s personal style was as distinctive and authentic as his on-court prowess. Nike recognized his potential and signed him to a groundbreaking shoe deal. The initial Air Jordan sneakers, featuring a bold blend of the Bulls’ red and black colors, were unprecedented. The NBA initially deemed them in violation of the “uniformity of uniform rule” and threatened fines. Jordan occasionally wore them despite the potential penalties, further fueling the demand for this and subsequent Air Jordan lines, which reached unprecedented levels.
His contract included a unique “love-of-the-game clause,” allowing him to play basketball at any time during the off-season, a rare provision for NBA players.
Jordan’s signature move of sticking his tongue out, inspired by observing his father working on mechanical tasks, quickly became a trademark. He also famously wore his North Carolina basketball shorts under his Bulls uniform. This practice is often credited with initiating the trend of longer, baggier basketball shorts, although Jordan himself suggested the extra length provided a comfortable resting position when bending at the waist. Regardless of the origin, the baggy shorts trend swept through the league and the sport as a whole.
The rookie’s captivating presence even led to speculation about preferential treatment from referees. It was suggested that he was allowed an extra step on his drives to the basket without being called for traveling. While some attributed this to his elusiveness, video analysis confirmed that his first step was simply exceptionally quick and within the rules.
Despite the burgeoning fame and accolades, Jordan maintained a sense of humility. He refrained from criticizing the Blazers for passing on him. Early in his rookie season, he told Sports Illustrated, “He [Bowie] fits in better than I would. They have an overabundance of big guards and small forwards.” This self-effacing demeanor was further highlighted when he stated in the same article, “I’d like to play in at least one All-Star game.”
This aspiration was swiftly realized as he was voted a starter for the 1985 All-Star East squad. However, the event also presented his first professional controversy. Media reports suggested that Isiah Thomas of the Detroit Pistons, a teammate on the Eastern All-Stars, orchestrated a “freeze-out” to limit the rookie’s scoring opportunities by intentionally not passing him the ball.
Jordan finished with seven points in 22 minutes and faced immediate questions about the alleged conspiracy. The narrative persisted for years, though Thomas consistently denied the accusations. Years later, the situation came full circle when Thomas, as coach of the 2003 East All-Star team, persuaded Vince Carter to relinquish his starting role to Jordan in his final All-Star appearance.
Three games into his second season, Jordan suffered a fractured bone in his left foot. Despite being voted an All-Star, he was sidelined for 64 games. He returned late in the season and delivered a monumental performance in a first-round playoff game against the Boston Celtics, scoring an NBA playoff-record 63 points. The Bulls lost that double-overtime game 132-131 and were swept in the series, but Jordan’s series average of 43.7 points per game silenced any remaining doubts about his ability.
The 1986-87 season marked the beginning of Jordan’s sustained dominance and assault on the NBA record books. He averaged a league-leading 37.1 points per game, the first of seven consecutive scoring titles and seasons averaging over 30 points per game. He scored 40 or more points in nine consecutive games and 23 straight field goals in one game, setting NBA records. At the All-Star Weekend, he won the first of two consecutive Slam Dunk Contests. However, the Celtics again swept the Bulls in the first round of the playoffs.
During the following offseason, the Bulls began building a championship-caliber team. They drafted power forward Horace Grant and acquired the versatile small forward Scottie Pippen in a draft-day trade with the Seattle SuperSonics. In the 1987-88 season, Jordan swept the major awards, including MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and All-Star MVP. With improved team support, the Bulls won their first-round playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers before losing to the Detroit Pistons in the conference semifinals in five games.
The Pistons, notorious as the “Bad Boys” for their physical and aggressive style, defeated Jordan and the Bulls in the Eastern Conference finals for the next two seasons as well. Coached by Chuck Daly, they implemented the “Jordan Rules,” a defensive strategy focused on constant double and triple-teaming Jordan, daring him to win games single-handedly. Despite these challenges, the Bulls were steadily progressing towards championship contention each season.
The 1988-89 season was arguably Jordan’s best statistically. He led the league with 32.5 points per game, ranked 10th in assists with a career-high 8.0 assists per game, and averaged a career-high 8.0 rebounds per game. He also ranked third in steals with 2.89 per game. In the decisive Game 5 of the first-round playoff series against the Cavaliers, Jordan delivered a memorable buzzer-beating floating jumper over Craig Ehlo, securing a 101-100 victory.
Prior to the 1989-90 season, Sports Illustrated featured an article on Jordan’s burgeoning interest in golf and his thoughts about potentially joining the PGA Tour after his NBA career. However, the Chicago Bulls management had other plans.
In the offseason, the Bulls replaced head coach Doug Collins with Phil Jackson. Under Jackson, the Bulls adopted the triangle offense, a fluid system emphasizing passing and cutting, creating scoring opportunities for all five players on the court. However, when plays broke down or the shot clock wound down, Jordan retained the freedom to create his own shots.
The Bulls finished the season with a 55-27 record, their best since 1971-72. Jordan set his career-high in points with 69 against the Cavaliers in a 117-113 overtime win. He also improved his three-point shooting, reaching 37.6%, a significant jump from his previous best. Despite these advancements, the Pistons defeated the Bulls in a grueling seven-game series in the 1990 Eastern Conference finals, marking their third consecutive playoff defeat to Detroit.
This continued playoff frustration led some to question whether a scoring champion like Jordan could truly lead his team to an NBA title.
Those doubts were emphatically dispelled the following year. In 1991, Jordan led the Bulls on a dominant postseason run, losing only twice en route to the franchise’s first NBA championship. The pivotal moment was a sweep of the Pistons in the conference finals. After losing Game 1 of the NBA Finals at home to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Bulls rallied to win four straight, effectively ending the era of the “Showtime” Lakers as Magic Johnson retired before the next season. Jordan averaged 31.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 8.4 assists in the Finals, earning the first of his six NBA Finals MVP awards.
Jordan, who had by now shaved his head bald, initiating another cultural trend and becoming instantly recognizable by his silhouette, was now a champion. He was known for his relentless demands of his teammates, sometimes causing friction with his critiques. However, winning became the unifying and validating force. The Bulls went on to successfully defend their title for the next two seasons, defeating Clyde Drexler and the Portland Trail Blazers and Charles Barkley’s Phoenix Suns, both in six games.
By the end of this three-peat, Jordan had transcended mere stardom, reaching folk hero status. Early in his career, he evoked Peter Pan-like admiration for his gravity-defying athleticism and the perception of perpetual youth. During the three-peat era, opponents seemed to concede that the championship was essentially Jordan’s to claim.
In the 1992 Finals against the Trail Blazers, Jordan opened Game 1 with a record-setting 35-point first-half performance, leading the Bulls to a 122-89 victory. He appeared unstoppable, sinking multiple three-pointers over Blazer defenders, famously shrugging after one make as if even he was surprised by his own brilliance. While the Blazers rallied and seemed poised to force a Game 7, taking a 79-64 lead into the fourth quarter of Game 6, the Bulls mounted a comeback, securing a 97-93 series-clinching win.
That summer, Jordan was the central figure in the formation of the “Dream Team” for the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. This 12-man roster, packed with the era’s greatest players, was revered as basketball royalty by their international opponents, who they overwhelmingly outmatched en route to a gold medal. They were also idolized as pop culture icons by fans worldwide.
In 1993, Jordan led the Bulls past Patrick Ewing’s New York Knicks for the fourth time in five postseasons, this time in the Eastern Conference finals in six games, despite lacking home-court advantage. Jordan scored 54 points in a 105-95 Game 4 victory. In the series’ turning point, Game 5, Jordan recorded a triple-double (29 points, 10 rebounds, and 14 assists). However, the crucial plays were the Bulls’ consecutive blocks of putback attempts by the Knicks’ Charles Smith in the final seconds, allowing the Bulls to escape Madison Square Garden with a 97-94 win. The Bulls clinched the series with a 96-88 victory in Game 6.
In the 1993 NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns, Jordan set a Finals record with a 41.0 points per game average in the six-game series victory. In the decisive Game 6, the Bulls again overcame a fourth-quarter deficit. Jordan scored nine consecutive points down the stretch, setting up John Paxson’s game-winning three-pointer with 3.9 seconds remaining, securing a 98-97 victory and their third consecutive championship.
However, personal turmoil was looming. Jordan faced scrutiny regarding his gambling habits. More tragically, his father, James Jordan, was murdered during an armed robbery. His father had been a constant source of support and guidance, regularly seen with his son throughout his rise to fame.
Emotionally drained and seeking a new challenge, Jordan stunned the basketball world by announcing his retirement just one day before the start of training camp in 1993.
After considerable speculation about his future, Jordan resurfaced in a baseball uniform. Fulfilling a dream inspired by his father, he pursued a career in Major League Baseball. He spent the 1994 baseball season playing for the Birmingham Barons, a Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox in the Southern League.
While he was a competent player, his performance was not exceptional, and his prospects of reaching the major leagues appeared slim. With Major League Baseball embroiled in a labor dispute as the 1995 season approached, Jordan shifted his competitive focus back to the NBA. Late in the 1994-95 NBA season, he ended his retirement with a concise two-word statement: “I’m back.”
He returned, wearing the unconventional No. 45, wanting to leave No. 23 behind, and attempted to lead the Bulls to another title. In 17 regular-season games, Jordan averaged 26.9 points, and the Bulls went 13-4.
The most memorable game of his initial comeback occurred just six games in, when he scored 55 points against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. This game, dubbed “Double Nickel,” was remarkable because it showcased a transformed Jordan. Having lost some of his youthful explosiveness at age 32, he relied more on fadeaway jump shots and spinning layups. In the closing moments of a tied game, he drew the defense, then passed to a wide-open Bill Wennington under the basket for the winning points in a 113-111 victory.
His coach, Phil Jackson, commented afterwards, “It’s rare that players can live quite up to New York. I’ve seen a lot of them fall flat on their faces because of the pressure to perform there. But he had the whole evening in the palm of his hand. Sometimes the game just seems to gravitate into his grasp.”
In the playoffs, he averaged 31.5 points per game. However, despite Jordan’s return, the Bulls fell short of another championship, losing to the Shaquille O’Neal-led Orlando Magic in six games in the conference semifinals.
Jordan’s championship aspirations were realized the following season with a largely new supporting cast compared to his first three titles. He reverted to his iconic No. 23 jersey and found only Scottie Pippen remaining from the original championship teams. The Bulls added Dennis Rodman, a controversial but undeniably talented rebounding and defensive force.
The 1995-96 Bulls enjoyed one of the most extraordinary seasons in NBA history. Jordan led the league in scoring again with 30.4 points per game as the Bulls achieved a record-breaking 72 regular-season victories. They continued their dominance in the playoffs, going 15-3 and culminating in a six-game Finals victory over the Seattle SuperSonics.
In a poignant moment, Jordan secured the championship on Father’s Day. Overwhelmed with emotion, he cradled the game ball on the floor of the United Center, the Bulls’ new arena built during his retirement, and openly wept. The emotional impact of the moment was profound.
Throughout the season, Jordan garnered MVP awards for the regular season, All-Star Game, and Finals, joining Willis Reed (1970) as the only players to achieve this triple honor in a single season.
Although he lost the regular season MVP award to Karl Malone in 1996-97, Jordan reclaimed it in 1997-98 and again led the Bulls to the NBA championship, defeating Malone’s Utah Jazz in a satisfying six-game series. Despite battling severe flu-like symptoms in a critical Game 5, Jordan refused to let his team lose, scoring 38 points in a heroic performance that secured the victory and ultimately the title at home in Game 6. He was also named NBA Finals MVP for the fifth time.
At the dawn of the 21st century, ESPN conducted a comprehensive survey of media members, athletes, and sports figures to rank the 20th century’s greatest athletes. Jordan topped the list, surpassing Babe Ruth and Muhammad Ali, solidifying his place among the most iconic figures in sporting history.
In 2009, Jordan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, headlining a class that included NBA legends John Stockton, David Robinson, and Jerry Sloan. The following year, Jordan added another chapter to his illustrious career.
Having held a minority ownership stake in the Charlotte Bobcats since 2006, Jordan was approved by the NBA’s Board of Governors as the majority owner in 2010, acquiring the team from Bob Johnson. Under Jordan’s ownership, the Bobcats were rebranded as the Hornets in the 2014-15 season, restoring the original nickname of Charlotte’s first NBA franchise.
Beyond his ownership role, Jordan has been deeply committed to the Charlotte community through philanthropic endeavors, donating millions to various causes and charities. During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, he opened a second Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinic to provide vital healthcare access to underserved communities in North Charlotte.
