Michael Jordan

• Five-time NBA Most Valuable Player (1987-88, 1990-91, 1991-92, 1995-96, 1997-98)
• Ten-time All-NBA First Team selection (1986-87 to 1992-93, 1995-96 to 1997-98)
• Selected in 1996 as one of the "50 Greatest Players in NBA History"
• A member of six Chicago Bulls NBA championship teams (1990-91, 1991-92, 1992-93, 1995-96, 1996-97 and 1997-98)
• Six-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player
• The 1987-88 NBA Defensive Player of the Year and record nine-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection (1987-88 to 1992-93, 1995-96 to 1997-98)
• Entering 2002-03, ranked first in NBA history in scoring average (31.0 ppg), second in steals (2,391), fourth in points (30,652) and in field-goals made (11,513), fifth in free-throws made (7,061), sixth in field-goals attempted (23,010) and eighth in free-throws attempted (8,448)
• Closed the 1997-98 season as the Bulls’ all-time franchise leader in points, rebounds (5,836), assists (5,012), steals, games (930), field-goals made and attempted and free-throws made and attempted (8,115)
• Holds the NBA record for most seasons leading the league in scoring (10)
• Shares the NBA record with Wilt Chamberlain for most consecutive seasons leading the league in scoring (seven, 1986-87 to 1992-93)
• Holds the NBA record for most consecutive games scoring in double-digits (842)
• Holds the NBA record for most seasons leading the league in field-goals made (10) and attempted (10)
• Led the NBA in steals in 1987-88 (3.16 spg), 1989-90 (2.77 spg) and 1992-93 (2.83 spg)
• Holds the NBA single-game records for most free-throws made in one half (20 against the Miami Heat on 12/30/92) and most most free-throws attempted in one half (23 in the same game)
• Shares the NBA single-game records for most free-throws made in one quarter (14 against the Utah Jazz on 11/15/89 and against the Miami Heat on 12/30/92) and most free-throws attempted in one quarter (23 against the Miami Heat on 12/30/92)
• Holds the NBA Finals record for highest single-series scoring average (41.0 ppg in 1993)
• Entering the 2002-03 season, ranks as the all-time NBA Finals leader in three-pointers made (42), second in three-point attempts (114), third in points (1,176), fourth in steals (62), fifth in field-goals made (438), sixth in assists (209) and free-throws made (258), seventh in field-goals attempted (911) and eighth in free-throws attempted (320)
• Holds the NBA Playoffs record for highest career scoring average (33.4 ppg)
• Established an NBA Playoffs record with 63 points against the Boston Celtics on 5/20/86
• Entering the 2002-03 season ranks as the all-time NBA Playoffs leader in field-goals attempted (4,497), free-throws made (1,463) and attempted (1,766), second in steals (376) and field-goals made (2,188), fifth in assists (1,022), seventh in three-point attempts (446) and ninth in three-pointers made (148)
• Recorded two playoff career triple-doubles, both against the New York Knicks (5/9/89 and 6/2/93)
• Participated in 13 NBA All-Star Games (1985, 1987-1993, 1996-98, 2002-03), starting 13 times, and missed another due to injury
• Named the MVP of the 1988, 1996 and 1998 NBA All-Star Games
• All-time NBA All-Star Game leader in steals (35) and ranks second in field-goal attempts (206), third in points (242), fourth in scoring average (20.2 ppg), and eighth in assists (52)
• Notched the first triple-double in All-Star Game history, with 14 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, in the 1997 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland
• Won the Slam Dunk Contest in 1987 and 1988, also participating in 1985
• Notched his 28th career triple-double, with 30 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, against the Toronto Raptors on 4/14/97
• Returned from retirement against the Indiana Pacers on 3/19/95 and posted 19 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals in 43 minutes

Micheal Jordan biography

His preferred sport at the time was baseball but after he began spending a lot of time on the Michael Jeffrey Jordan was born on February 17, 1963, in Brooklyn, New York, but his family decided to move to Wilmington, North Carolina when he was still a toddler. Jordan is the fourth of five children, having two older brothers and an older and younger sister. Michael’s dad worked hard at an electric plant while his mom labored full-time at a bank. Jordan’s parents worked hard to provide him and his siblings with a comfortable lifestyle. As a child, Jordan played baseball, basketball and football.

Because his older and taller brother, Larry, continuously kept beating him when they played one-on-one, he was determined to become a better player. Ironically, in 1978, when Jordan attended Laney High School in Wilmington, North Carolina, he was cut from the varsity team. Instead of giving up, however, he fought through adversity and became the greatest basketball player in the world. Between the 10th and 11th grade, Jordan grew from 5’11" to 6’3", and because he had improved greatly as a player, he made the varsity team the following year. Jordan played so well in his junior season that he was invited to attend the Five-Star Camp in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, during the summer before his senior year.

By the time Jordan was finishing his senior year at Laney, he had grown to 6’5" and attained a basketball scholarship from the University of North Carolina. Jordan’s ever-growing popularity began at UNC where he made a last minute game-winning shot in the NCAA championship game. In the summer of 1984, Jordan played on the US Men’s Olympic Basketball Team under head coach Bobby Knight. The team had such college players as Jordan, Patrick Ewing, Chris Mullin (NBA players weren’t allowed to compete in the Games until 1992). Jordan’s plays quickly awed the other teams. He scored 14 points against China, 20 against Canada and 16 against Uruguay. The US won all eight of the games by an average of 32.1 points per game. Jordan led the team in scoring with an average of 17.1 points per game.

Two months after the Olympics, Jordan played his first regular-season game with the Chicago Bulls. Jordan immediately proved that he belonged in the big leagues and his acrobatic moves and hang-time won him the infamous nickname Air Jordan. His basketball skills and allure made him the perfect key figure to market both Nike products and the NBA. Jordan led the Bulls to three consecutive World Championships (1991, 1992 and 1993). Jordan retired from the NBA preceding the 1993/94 season after the mysterious death of his father and after rumors about his gambling addictions began to circulate.

After proving that he was the best basketball player in the world, Jordan sought a new challenge and decided to try his hand at professional baseball. He played outfielder for the Birmingham Barons, affiliates of the Chicago White Sox. Jordan quickly realized that he was not cutout for baseball after a disappointing season. In 1995, Jordan made a surprise return to basketball right before the playoffs but unfortunately, the Bulls didn’t win the Championship. In 1996, Jordan led the Bulls to their best regular season record and the fourth Championship title in six years. He also took a shot at the silver screen, where he starred alongside Bugs Bunny in the animated comedy Space Jam. Jordan decided to retire after winning his last Championship in 1999, mainly due to his decision to dedicate his life to his wife Juanita, and their three children, Jeffrey, Marcus and Jasmine. After partly returning to the game as president of basketball operations with the Washington Wizards (he owned a stake in the team), Jordan announced his return to the NBA, this time, as a Wizard. Jordan might be back, but in 2002 he suffered a knee injury that kept him on the sidelines for the rest of the season, and experienced stormy wedded bliss when wife Juanita announced her desire to file for divorce (the couple are now still happily married).