Michael Jordan Professional
MJ Professional career:
During his first season in the NBA, Jordan averaged 28.2 ppg on 51.5% shooting.[12] He quickly became a fan favorite
even in opposing arenas,[15][16][17] and appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated with the heading "A Star is Born"
just over a month into his professional career.[18][19] Jordan was also voted in as an All-Star starter by the fans in
his rookie season.[1] Controversy arose before the All-Star game when word surfaced that several veteran players, led
by Isiah Thomas, were upset by the amount of attention Jordan was receiving.[1] This led to a so called "freeze-out"
on Jordan, where players refused to pass him the ball throughout the game.[1] The controversy left Jordan relatively
unaffected when he returned to regular season play, and he would go on to be voted Rookie of the Year.[20] The Bulls
finished the season 38–44,[21] and lost in the first round of the playoffs in four games to the Milwaukee Bucks.[20]
Jordan's second season was cut short by a broken foot which caused him to miss 64 games.[1] Despite Jordan's injury and
a 30–52 record,[21] the Bulls made the playoffs. Jordan recovered in time to participate in the playoffs and
performed well upon his return. Against a 1985–86 Boston Celtics team that is often considered one of the greatest
in NBA history,[22] Jordan set the still-unbroken record for points in a playoff game with 63 in Game 2.[23] The Celtics,
however, managed to sweep the series.[20]
Jordan had recovered completely by the 1986–87 season, and had one of the most prolific scoring seasons in NBA
history. He became the only player other than Wilt Chamberlain to score 3,000 points in a season, averaging a league
high 37.1 points on 48.2% shooting.[12] In addition, Jordan demonstrated his defensive prowess, as he became the first
player in NBA history to record 200 steals and 100 blocks in a season. Despite Jordan's success, Magic Johnson won the
league's Most Valuable Player Award. The Bulls reached 40 wins,[21] and advanced to the playoffs for the third consecutive
year. However, they were again swept by the Celtics.[20]
Mid-career: Pistons roadblock
Jordan led the league in scoring again in the 1987–88 season, averaging 35.0 ppg on 53.5% shooting[12] and won
his first league MVP award. He was also named the Defensive Player of the Year, as he had averaged 1.6 blocks and a
league high 3.16 steals per game.[24] The Bulls finished 50–32,[21] and made it out of the first round of the
playoffs for the first time in Jordan's career, as they defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games.[25] However,
the Bulls then lost in five games to the more experienced Detroit Pistons,[20] who were led by Isiah Thomas and a group
of physical players known as the "Bad Boys".
In the 1988–89 season, Jordan again led the league in scoring, averaging 32.5 ppg on 53.8% shooting from the
field, along with 8 rpg and 8 assists per game (apg).[12] The Bulls finished with a 47–35 record,[21] and advanced
to the Eastern Conference Finals, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks along the way. The Cavaliers
series included a career highlight for Jordan when he hit a series-winning shot over Craig Ehlo in the closing moments
of the deciding fifth game of the series.[26] However, the Pistons again defeated the Bulls, this time in six games,[20]
by utilizing their "Jordan Rules" method of guarding Jordan, which consisted of double and triple teaming him every time
he touched the ball.[1]
The Bulls entered the 1989–90 season as a team on the rise, with their core group of Jordan and young improving
players like Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant, and under the guidance of new coach Phil Jackson. Jordan averaged a league
leading 33.6 ppg on 52.6% shooting, to go with 6.9 rpg and 6.3 apg[12] in leading the Bulls to a 55–27 record.[21]
They again advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals beating the Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers en route. However, despite
pushing the series to seven games, the Bulls lost to the Pistons for the third consecutive season.[20]
First three-peat
In the 1990–91 season, Jordan won his second MVP award after averaging 31.5 ppg on 53.9% shooting, 6.0 rpg, and
5.5 apg for the regular season.[12] The Bulls finished in first place in their division for the first time in 16 years
and set a franchise record with 61 wins in the regular season.[21] With Scottie Pippen developing into an All-Star,
the Bulls elevated their play. The Bulls defeated the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers in the opening two
rounds of the playoffs. They advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals where their rival, the Detroit Pistons, awaited
them. However, this time the Bulls beat the Pistons in a surprising sweep.[27][28] In an unusual ending to the fourth
and final game, Isiah Thomas led his team off the court before the final minute had concluded. Most of the Pistons went
directly to their locker room instead of shaking hands with the Bulls.[29]
The Bulls compiled an outstanding 15-2 record during the playoffs,[27] and advanced to the NBA Finals for the first
time in franchise history, where they beat the Los Angeles Lakers four games to one. Perhaps the best known moment of
the series came in Game 2 when, attempting a dunk, Jordan avoided a potential Sam Perkins block by switching the ball
from his right hand to his left in mid-air to lay the shot in.[30] In his first Finals appearance, Jordan posted per
game averages of 31.2 points on 56% shooting from the field, 11.4 assists, 6.6 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 1.4 blocks.[31]
Jordan won his first NBA Finals MVP award,[32] and he cried while holding the NBA Finals trophy.[33]
Jordan and the Bulls continued their dominance in the 1991–92 season, establishing a 67–15 record, topping
their franchise record from 1990–91.[21] Jordan won his second consecutive MVP award with averages of 30.1 points,
6.4 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game on 52% shooting.[24] After winning a physical 7-game series over the New York
Knicks in the second round of the playoffs and finishing off the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Conference Finals in 6
games, the Bulls met Clyde Drexler and the Portland Trail Blazers in the Finals. The media, hoping to recreate a
Magic-Bird rivalry, highlighted the similarities between "Air" Jordan and Clyde "The Glide" during the pre-Finals
hype.[34] In the first game, Jordan scored a Finals-record 35 points in the first half, including a record-setting
six three-point field goals.[35] After the sixth three-pointer, he jogged down the court shrugging as he looked
courtside. Marv Albert, who broadcast the game, later stated that it was as if Jordan was saying,
"I can't believe I'm doing this."[36] The Bulls went on to win Game 1, and defeat the Blazers in six games.
Jordan was named Finals MVP for the second year in a row[32] and finished the series averaging 35.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg,
and 6.5 apg, while shooting 53% from the floor.[32]
In 1992–93, despite a 32.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg and 5.5 apg campaign,[24] Jordan's streak of consecutive MVP seasons
ended as he lost the award to his friend Charles Barkley. Coincidentally, Jordan and the Bulls met Barkley and his
Phoenix Suns in the 1993 NBA Finals. The Bulls captured their third consecutive NBA championship on a game-winning
shot by John Paxson and a last-second block by Horace Grant, but Jordan was once again Chicago's catalyst. He averaged
a Finals-record 41.0 ppg during the six-game series,[37] and became the first player in NBA history to win three
straight Finals MVP awards.[32] He scored more than 30 points in every game of the series, including 40 or more points
in 4 consecutive games. With his third Finals triumph, Jordan capped off a seven-year run where he attained seven
scoring titles and three championships, but there were signs that Jordan was tiring of his massive celebrity and all
of the non-basketball hassles in his life.[38]
Gambling controversy
During the Bulls' playoff run in 1993, controversy arose when Jordan was seen gambling in Atlantic City, New Jersey
the night before a game against the New York Knicks.[39] In that same year, he admitted to having to cover $57,000
in gambling losses,[40] and author Richard Esquinas wrote a book claiming he had won $1.25 million from Jordan on
the golf course.[40] In 2005, Jordan talked to Ed Bradley of the CBS evening show 60 Minutes about his gambling and
admitted that he made some reckless decisions. Jordan stated, "Yeah, I've gotten myself into situations where I would
not walk away and I've pushed the envelope. Is that compulsive? Yeah, it depends on how you look at it. If you're
willing to jeopardize your livelihood and your family, then yeah."[41] When Bradley asked him if his gambling ever
got to the level where it jeopardized his livelihood or family, Jordan replied, "No."[41]
First retirement and baseball career
Michael Jordan while playing with the Scottsdale ScorpionsOn October 6, 1993, Jordan announced his retirement, citing
a loss of desire to play the game. Jordan later stated that the murder of his father earlier in the year shaped his
decision.[42] James R. Jordan, Sr. was murdered on July 23, 1993, at a highway rest area in Lumberton, North Carolina,
by two teenagers, Daniel Green and Larry Martin Demery. The assailants were traced from calls they made on James
Jordan's cellular phone,[43] caught, convicted, and sentenced to life in prison. Jordan was close to his father; as a
child he had imitated his father's proclivity to stick out his tongue while absorbed in work. He later adopted it as
his own signature, displaying it each time he drove to the basket.[1] In 1996 he founded a Chicago area Boys & Girls
Club and dedicated it to his father.[44][45]
In his 1998 autobiography For the Love of the Game, Jordan wrote that he had been preparing for retirement as early
as the summer of 1992.[46] The added exhaustion due to the Dream Team run in the 1992 Olympics solidified Jordan's
feelings about the game and his ever-growing celebrity status. Jordan's announcement sent shock waves throughout the
NBA and appeared on the front pages of newspapers around the world.[47]
Jordan then further surprised the sports world by signing a minor league baseball contract with the Chicago White Sox.
He reported to spring training and was assigned to the team's minor league system on March 31, 1994.[48] Jordan has
stated this decision was made to pursue the dream of his late father, who had always envisioned his son as a Major
League Baseball player.[49] The White Sox were another team owned by Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf, who continued to
honor Jordan's basketball contract during the years he played baseball.[50] He had a brief professional baseball
career for the Birmingham Barons, a Chicago White Sox farm team, batting .202 with 3 HR, 51 RBI, 30 SB, and 11
errors.[9] He also appeared for the Scottsdale Scorpions in the 1994 Arizona Fall League.
"I'm back": Return to the NBA
In the 1993–94 season, the Jordan-less Bulls notched a 55–27 record,[21] and lost to the New York Knicks
in the second round of the playoffs. But the 1994–95 version of the Bulls was a shell of the championship squad
of just two years earlier. Struggling at mid-season to ensure a spot in the playoffs, Chicago was 31–31 at one
point in mid-March.[51] The team received a lift, however, when Jordan decided to return to the NBA for the Bulls.
On March 18, 1995, Jordan announced his return to the NBA through a pithy press release: "I'm back."[1] The next
day, Jordan donned jersey number 45 (his number with the Barons), as his familiar 23 had been retired in his honor
following his first retirement. He took to the court with the Bulls to face the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis,
scoring 19 points.[52] The game had the highest Nielsen rating of a regular season NBA game since 1975.[53]
Although he had not played in an NBA game in a year and a half, Jordan played well upon his return, making a
game-winning jump shot against Atlanta in his fourth game back and scoring 55 points in a game against the Knicks at
Madison Square Garden on March 28, 1995.[20] Boosted by Jordan's comeback, the Bulls made the playoffs and advanced
to the Eastern Conference Semi-finals against the Orlando Magic. At the end of the first game of the series, though,
Orlando's Nick Anderson would strip Jordan from behind, leading to the game-winning basket for the Magic; he would
later comment that Jordan "didn't look like the old Michael Jordan",[54] after which Jordan returned to wearing his
old number (23). Jordan averaged 31 points per game in that series, but Orlando prevailed in six games.[8]
Second three-peat
Jordan going in for a slam dunk with his signature exposed tongue.Freshly motivated by the playoff defeat, Jordan trained
aggressively for the 1995–96 season.[55] Strengthened by the addition of rebound specialist Dennis Rodman, the
Bulls dominated the league, starting the season 41–3,[56] and eventually finishing with the best regular season
record in NBA history: 72–10.[22] Jordan led the league in scoring with 30.4 ppg,[57] and won the league's regular
season and All-Star Game MVP awards.[1] In the playoffs, the Bulls lost only three games in four series, defeating the
Seattle SuperSonics in the NBA Finals to win the championship. Jordan was named Finals MVP for a record fourth time,[32]
surpassing Magic Johnson's three Finals MVP awards. He also achieved only the second sweep of the MVP Awards in the
All-Star Game, regular season and NBA Finals, duplicating Willis Reed's feat during the 1969–70 season.[20]
Because this was Jordan's first championship since his father's death, and it was won on Father's Day, Jordan reacted
very emotionally upon winning the title, including a memorable scene of him sobbing on the locker room floor with the
game ball.[1][33]
In the 1996–97 season, the Bulls started out 69–11, but narrowly missed out on a second consecutive
70-win season by losing their final two games to finish 69–13.[58] However, this year Jordan was beaten for
the NBA MVP Award by Karl Malone. The team again advanced to the Finals, where they faced Malone and the Utah Jazz.
The series against the Jazz featured two of the more memorable clutch moments of Jordan's career. He won Game 1 for
the Bulls with a buzzer-beating jump shot. In Game 5, with the series tied 2–2, Jordan played despite being
feverish and dehydrated from a stomach virus. In what is known as the "flu game", Jordan scored 38 points including
the game-deciding three-pointer with less than a minute remaining.[59] The Bulls won 90-88 and went on to win the
series in six games.[58] For the fifth time in as many Finals appearances, Jordan received the Finals MVP award.[32]
During the 1997 NBA All-Star Game, Jordan posted the only triple double in All-Star Game history in a victorious
effort, however he did not receive the MVP award.
Jordan and the Bulls compiled a 62–20 record in the 1997–98 season.[21] Jordan led the league
with 28.7 points per game,[24] securing his fifth regular-season MVP award, plus honors for All-NBA First Team,
First Defensive Team and the All-Star Game MVP.[1] The Bulls captured the Eastern Conference Championship for a
third straight season, including surviving a grueling seven-game series with Reggie Miller's Indiana Pacers in the
Eastern Conference Finals; it was the first time Jordan had played in a Game 7 since the 1992 series with the Knicks.
After prevailing, they moved on for a rematch with the Jazz in the Finals.
The Bulls returned to Utah for Game 6 on June 14, 1998 leading the series 3–2. Jordan executed a series of plays,
considered to be one of the greatest clutch performances in NBA Finals history.[60] With the Bulls trailing 86–83
with 40 seconds remaining, coach Jackson called a timeout. When play resumed, Jordan received the inbound pass, drove
to the basket, and hit a layup over several Jazz defenders.[60] The Jazz brought the ball upcourt and passed the ball
to forward Karl Malone, who was set up in the low post and was being guarded by Rodman. Malone jostled with Rodman
and caught the pass, but Jordan cut behind him and swatted the ball out of his hands for a steal.[60] Jordan then
slowly dribbled upcourt and paused at the top of the key, eyeing his defender, Jazz guard Bryon Russell. With fewer
than 10 seconds remaining, Jordan started to dribble right, then crossed over to his left, possibly pushing off
Russell,[61][62][63] although the officials did not call a foul. Jordan then released a shot that would be rebroadcast
innumerable times in years to come. As the shot found the net, announcer Bob Costas shouted "Chicago with the lead!"[64]
After a desperation three-point shot by John Stockton missed, Jordan and the Bulls claimed their sixth NBA championship,
and secured a second three-peat. Once again, Jordan was voted the Finals MVP,[32] having led all scorers by averaging
33.5 points per game, including 45 in the deciding Game 6.[65] Jordan's six Finals MVPs is a record; Shaquille O'Neal,
Magic Johnson, and Tim Duncan are tied for second place with three apiece.[32] The 1998 Finals holds the highest
television rating of any Finals series in history, and Game 6 holds the highest television rating of any game in
NBA history.[66][67]
Second retirement
Plaque at the United Center chronicling Jordan's career achievements.With Phil Jackson's contract expiring, the pending
departures of Scottie Pippen (who stated his desire to be traded during the season) and Dennis Rodman (who would sign
with the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent) looming, and being in the latter stages of an owner-induced lockout of
NBA players, Jordan retired for the second time on January 13, 1999.
On January 19, 2000, Jordan returned to the NBA not as a player, but as part owner and President of Basketball Operations
for the Washington Wizards.[68] He'd earlier made a bid to become part-owner of the Charlotte Hornets, as a full partner
of founding owner George Shinn. However, negotiations collapsed when Shinn refused to give Jordan total control of
on-court operations.
Jordan's responsibilities with the Wizards were comprehensive. He controlled all aspects of the Wizards' basketball
operations, and had the final say in all personnel matters. Opinions of Jordan as a basketball executive were
mixed.[69][70] He managed to purge the team of several highly paid, unpopular players (such as forward Juwan Howard
and point guard Rod Strickland),[71][72] but used the first pick in the 2001 NBA Draft to select high schooler Kwame
Brown, who did not live up to expectations and was traded away after four seasons.[69][73]
Despite his January 1999 claim that he was "99.9% certain" that he would never play another NBA game,[33] in the
summer of 2001 Jordan expressed interest in making another comeback,[74][75] this time with his new team. Inspired
by the NHL comeback of his friend Mario Lemieux the previous winter,[76] Jordan spent much of the spring and summer
of 2001 in training, holding several invitation-only camps for NBA players in Chicago.[77] In addition, Jordan hired
his old Chicago Bulls head coach, Doug Collins, as Washington's coach for the upcoming season, a decision that many
saw as foreshadowing another Jordan return.[74][75]
Washington Wizards comeback
Jordan as a member of the Washington Wizards on April 14, 2003On September 25, 2001 Jordan announced his return to
professional play with the Wizards, indicating his intention to donate his salary as a player to a relief effort for
the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks.[78][79] In an injury-plagued 2001–02 season, he led the team in
scoring (22.9 ppg), assists (5.2 apg), and steals (1.42 spg).[1] However, torn cartilage in his right knee ended
Jordan's season after only 60 games, the fewest he had played in a regular season since playing 17 games after
returning from his first retirement during the 1994–95 season.[12]
Playing in his 14th and final NBA All-Star Game in 2003, Jordan passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the all-time leading
scorer in All-Star game history. That year, Jordan was the only Washington player to play in all 82 games, starting
in 67 of them. He averaged 20.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.[1] He also shot 45% from
the field, and 82% from the free throw line.[1] Even though he turned 40 during the season, he scored 20 or more
points 42 times, 30 or more points nine times, and 40 or more points three times.[20] On February 21, 2003, Jordan
became the first 40-year-old to tally 43 points in an NBA game.[80] During his stint with the Wizards, all of Jordan's
home games at the MCI Center were sold out, and the Wizards were the second most-watched team in the NBA, averaging
20,172 fans a game at home and 19,311 on the road.[81] However, neither of Jordan's final two seasons resulted in
a playoff appearance for the Wizards, and Jordan was often unsatisfied with the play of those around him.[82][83]
At several points he openly criticized his teammates to the media, citing their lack of focus and intensity, notably
that of the number one draft pick in the 2001 NBA Draft, Kwame Brown.[82][83]
With the recognition that 2002–03 would be Jordan's final season, tributes were paid to him throughout the
NBA. In his final game at his old home court, the United Center in Chicago, Jordan received a four-minute standing
ovation.[84] The Miami Heat retired the number 23 jersey on April 11, 2003, even though Jordan had never played for
the team.[85] At the 2003 All-Star Game, Jordan was offered a starting spot from Tracy McGrady and Allen Iverson,[86]
but refused both; in the end, however, he accepted the spot of Vince Carter, who decided to give it up under great
public pressure.[87]
Jordan's final NBA game was on April 16, 2003 in Philadelphia. After scoring only 13 points in the game, Jordan went
to the bench with 4 minutes and 13 seconds remaining in the third quarter and with his team trailing the
Philadelphia 76ers, 75–56. Just after the start of the fourth quarter, the First Union Center crowd began
chanting "We want Mike!". After much encouragement from coach Doug Collins, Jordan finally rose from the bench and
re-entered the game for Larry Hughes with 2:35 remaining. At 1:45, Jordan was intentionally fouled by the 76ers'
Eric Snow, and stepped to the line to make both free throws. After the second foul shot, the 76ers in-bounded the
ball to rookie John Salmons, who in turn was intentionally fouled by Bobby Simmons one second later, stopping time so
that Jordan could return to the bench. Jordan received a three-minute standing ovation from his teammates, his
opponents, and a crowd of 21,257 fans.[88]
Olympic career
Olympic medal record - Men's basketball
Gold 1984 Los Angeles United States
Gold 1992 Barcelona United States
Jordan played on two Olympic gold medal-winning American basketball teams. As a college player he participated, and
won the gold, in the 1984 Summer Olympics. Jordan led the team in scoring averaging 17.1 ppg for the tournament.[89]
In the 1992 Summer Olympics he was a member of the star-studded squad that included Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and
David Robinson and was dubbed the "Dream Team". Playing limited minutes due to the frequent blowouts, Jordan
averaged 12.7 ppg, finishing fourth on the team in scoring.[90] Jordan, Patrick Ewing, and fellow Dream Team member
Chris Mullin are the only American men's basketball players to win Olympic gold as amateurs (all in 1984) and
professionals.[89][91]
In addition, Jordan and fellow Dream Team member (and Bulls teammate) Scottie Pippen are the only players to have
won both NBA championship and Olympic gold medal in the same year (1992), though Pippen would do this twice, as he
was with the Bulls in 1996 and with Team USA at the Atlanta Olympics.