Michael Jordan
From ArticleWorld
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former NBA player. He is known throughout the world and is thought by many to be the greatest basketball player of all times. He is an exceptional athlete and with his grace, power, and superb abilities, the 6’6” guard is a basketball legend.
Contents |
Early Life
Michael Jordan was born in Wilmington, North Carolina on February 17, 1963. No one expected Jordan to have a career in basketball; he was cut from his high school basketball team his sophomore year. However, he worked his way back on the team and went on to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on a basketball scholarship. After his junior year he was a 3rd round pick for the Chicago Bulls in the 1984 NBA Draft. He went back to the University of North Carolina in 1986 and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in geography.
NBA
Jordan burst on the NBA scene with an amazing first season averaging 28.2 points per game and was named the Rookie of the Year. He went on to play a total of 14 seasons with the Bulls. While there he led the team to six NBA Championships, all six of which he was named the Finals MVP. He was named the Defensive Player of the Year in 1988, the All-Star MVP twice, and was named the league MVP five times. His regular-season scoring average was the highest in NBA history at 30.12 points per game. He has been named to the All-Defensive First Team nine different times and led the NBA in steals three times. He was named “Sportsman of the Year” in 1991 by Sports Illustrated and has appeared on their cover 49 times since 1983. Jordan has received numerous other prestigious awards from various sources, such as the Associated Press and ESPN throughout his career and was one of the most influential players in NBA history.
Retirement and NBA Return
Jordan’s father, James Jordan, was murdered in 1993, prompting Jordan to retire from basketball. He tried his hand at baseball, something he had dreamed of as a child. He played for the Birmingham Barons, the AA affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. His baseball career was nothing like his basketball career and he never received a call from the majors. There were many rumors about why Jordan left the NBA; one in particular claims that this was this time was punishment for gambling on sports and that baseball was a way to stay in training and in the news and media.
After his disappointing baseball career, Jordan returned to the NBA in March, 1995. Even though he was gone for two years, he still played incredibly well after his return and led the Bulls to the latter three of their six Championship titles. After the last title win and uncertain about the future of his coach, Phil Jackson and teammate Scottie Pippen, Jordan retired attain in January, 1999.
Jordan took over as president of the Washington Wizards in 2000 and gave up that position in 2001 to play for the Wizards. Although he was not the same player as when he was younger, he was still a vital part of Washington’s team, averaging almost 23 points per game. The 2002-2003 season was Jordan’s final season in the NBA and he retired for the last time after saying his final goodbye at a game in Philadelphia.
Jordan: Not Just a Player
Aside from his spectacular feats as a basketball superstar, Michael Jordan is also a very shrewd businessman. Over the years he has been at the center of marketing campaigns for all of the major sport producers and networks, including ESPN, Nike, Gatorade, FOX, Hanes, and the NBA. He made a film appearance in “Space Jam” and made an appearance on “Saturday Night Live” in 1991. He currently helps manage a chain of restaurants and has his own clothing and shoe line. He has given to a number of charities for children and colleges. Jordan is currently married to Juanita Jordan and has two sons, Jeffrey and Marcus, and one daughter, Jasmine.