Michael Jordan is a retired American professional basketball player and currently an active businessman. According to NBA.com, "By acclamation, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time." Jordan was one of the most popular athletes in the market of his time and he helped popularize the National Basketball Association during the late 1980's and 1990's. Michael Jeffrey Jordan was born on February 17, 1963 in Brooklyn, New York. Not too long after his birth his parents moved his family to Wilmington, North Carolina. As a child Michael had a love for sports and excelled at them at an early age. Once he was in high school Michael Jordan was cut from Laney High School's Varsity Basketball Team as a sophomore. He didn't give give up on basketball and he continued to get better that summer along with growing four inches. He made the team his junior year and averaged 25 points per game. As a senior he became the only person in high school basketball history to average a triple-double (at least 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists per game). 1982 was the year he received scholarship to play at the University of North Carolina as well as being named a McDonald's High School All-American. His legacy emerged nationally as a freshman at the University of North Carolina. In the 1982 NCAA Championship game against future NBA rival Patrick Ewing and the Georgetown Hoyas, freshman Michael Jordan, hit the game winning shot resulting in a National Championship. He averaged 17.7 points per game on 54% shooting during his three seasons at UNC and he left his junior year after winning the Naismith and Wooden College Player of the Year awards.
Jordan was drafted third overall in 1984 by the Chicago Bulls and wore the number 23. His legacy and impact on the NBA became legendary because as a rookie he scored 40 points or more seven times. He also made the All-Star team and won Rookie of the Year. Larry Bird said after Jordan scored 63 points in Boston on April 21, 1986, "I think he's God disguised as Michael Jordan." After returning from a foot injury in the 1986-1987 season he averaged an unheard of 37.1 points per game.
He became he most popular athlete because of his jaw dropping shots, winning slam dunk contests, and high flying ability. He also was seen with his tongue waggling out of his mouth while in action. He had many endorsement deals with companies such as: Nike, Haines, Gatorade, McDonald's, Wheaties, and MCI. Shortly after being in the NBA he adopted the nickname "Air Jordan" and the Nike Air Jordan shoe became one of the most popular brands of all time and still is today. He has been in many commercials, a lot along side of movie producer Spike Lee as Mars Blackmon (click here), and also starred in the Disney film "Space Jam" in 1996.
Jordan and the Chicago Bulls didn't make the NBA Finals until 1991. They defeated the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals and went on to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals. Jordan was named the Finals MVP that year. After Jordan's first NBA Finals Title he led the Bulls to two more making a three-peat from 1991-1993. He was named MVP of the Finals for all three Titles. He also was apart of the Olympic "Dream Team" where he won his second Olympic gold medal and was one of the captains.
Jordan's career took a major turn in the month of July 1993 because his father was found murdered on a North Carolina highway. He retired three months later and pursued his dream of playing baseball in 1994. He played for a minor league team affiliated with the Chicago White Sox called the Birmingham Barons. Jordan was unsuccessful in baseball and was never called up to the Major League. After a year of baseball Michael Jordan decided to come back to the Chicago Bulls in 1995. He briefly wore number 45 because number 23 had been retired. After coming back he led the Chicago Bulls to three more NBA Titles from 1996-1998. He was also named Finals MVP for those three NBA Titles too.
On January 13th, 1999 Jordan retired for the second time because seemingly there was nothing left to prove. His second retirement didn't last very long due to his urge for competition. In 2001 Jordan returned to the court for the Washington Wizards after being an executive for them. His skills were noticeably not what they used to be, but he averaged 22.9 points per game the season from 2001-2002. The next season from 2002-2003 he averaged 20 points per game and made his 13th appearance in the All-Star game. The halftime show of the game was a tribute to Jordan's career and a song was sung by Mariah Carey in tribute to him. He set another record on February 21st, 2003 by being the first 40-year old player to score 40 points in a game. On April 16th, 2003 Jordan played his last game in Philadelphia against the 76ers. He only scored 15 points, but the usually harsh Sixers fans gave him a three minute standing ovation. The Miami Heat also retired the number 23 although Jordan never played for them. 2003 marked his third retirement which would end up being his last. He was gone from the court from there on out. His career ended as the NBA's third all-time leading scorer with 32,292 career points. He also led the NBA in scoring ten times during his career and was part of the all-defensive team nine times. Michael Jordan once said to highlight his career, "I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."
Michael Jordan had a huge economic impact on the companies that he had endorsements with. Television ratings increased during his time in the league and have lowered each time he has left. Michael Jordan represents power, influence, and wealth. His legacy will continue on throughout the ages. There is only one true Michael Jordan.
