Remember February 17, 2004. I made this thread to remind everyone that tomorrow is a very special day. All of the diehard basketball fans realize this day a star was born. No, I was born on July 18th. I?m talking about another star you?re familiar with. In fact everyone in the entire world should know or at least heard of the name?Michael Jordan. Exactly 41 years ago, an icon and a legend was born. Here is his story, and the story of arguably the greatest team ever assembled in any sport? Michael Jordan was already exposed to greatness even when he was just a baby! He was born in the greatest city of the world in New York. His family however, decided to move to North Carolina when he was still very young. Jordan?s favorite sport at the time was baseball. He would have never dreamed of being so great in basketball had his brothers not continually beat him. Already in Jordan?s youth, his wining attitude and competitive spirit existed. Strange enough, when Michael Jordan was in high school, he was cut from his high school varsity basketball team as a freshman and a sophomore. While many of us would have given up and come to the conclusion that basketball was not a part of our future, Michael Jordan did the opposite. He worked and worked and his excellent work ethic not only allowed him to be selected on his team as a junior, but it also is one of the many factors that propelled him into the untouchable greatness and superstardom that he eventually reached in a couple of years. Jordan said [imgl]http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Midfield/3281/mjlaney.jpg[/imgl] "Whenever I was working out and got tired and figured I ought to stop, I'd close my eyes and see that list in the locker room without my name on it, and that usually got me going again." After this, he led them to a state championship. His heroics throughout his career at Laney High School got him something that most of us wouldn?t really mind?a basketball scholarship to North Carolina University, at least I certainly wouldn?t. While Michael Jordan was in the University of North Carolina, he was a star as well. Jordan and his remarkable rising game increased his popularity however, his fame skyrocketed when he hit the game winner in the 1982 NCAA championships against Georgetown. Jordan?s game continued to blossom in college as he was named the player of the year the very next season in 1983-1984 and that summer was selected to play in the 1984 Olympics. He was the leader in scoring with 17.1ppg during the summer experience. The greatness really started when he was drafted. First the Rockets selected Hakeem Olajuwon, then Sam Bowie, then with the 3rd pick in the 1984 NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls selected?Michael Jordan from the University of North Carolina. Michael Jordan had a magnificent rookie season as he obviously finished with rookie of the year honors. During his rookie season, he led his team in 4 major categories with 28.2 points per game, 6.5 rebounds per game, 5.9 assists per game, and 2.4 steals per game. In addition to that, he made the all-star team as well. He led the Chicago Bulls to the playoffs that season but, his lack of experience and a decent supporting cast always presented disappointment as the Bulls lost in the first round for the next 5 years, which always happened to be at the hands of the Boston Celtics or the Detroit Pistons. However, during that span, there was nothing to be too angry over, he always amazed the crowd with depth-defying feats however, the most impressive characteristic of Jordan?s game was the way he defied gravity, earning him the nickname Air Jordan. Also during this time, Jordan put on arguably the best scoring performances although it was at a loss. In the playoffs against the Celtics, Jordan averaged an incredible 43.7 points per game including 63 points a Chicago Bulls loss. He set the record for most points in a playoff game which still stands today. Despite his brave efforts, the Bulls were unfortunately swept by the Celtics. During this time, hall of famer Larry Bird said and I quote, "I didn't think anyone was capable of doing what Michael has done to us," marveled Celtics ace Larry Bird. "He is the most exciting, awesome player in the game today. I think it's just God disguised as Michael Jordan." The next season, Michael Jordan continued to astound the world averaging 37.1 points, and had over 3,041 total points. This was the first of 7 more scoring titles that Jordan would receive. Did I mention in a row? The last man to do that was you guessed it, Wilt Chamberlain. 3,000 points in a season is unheard of much less in recent times but this as we know, was only the beginning! As I mentioned earlier his hang time in the air was spectacular but he really made it known when he entered the dunk contest in the 1988 NBA all-star weekend. Jordan won back to back dunk titles which also included Dr. J?s famous dunk from the free throw line. [imgr]http://gladstone.uoregon.edu/~cbreen/index/sportpics_files/image038.jpg[/imgr] The value and popularity of Jordan?s endorsements skyrocketed especially Nike as they produced the ?Air Jordan? apparel. His sneakers and his jerseys were top products and everyone wanted them. One might make the argument they are overpriced however, if you take a look at the priceless contributions Michael Jordan made on and off the court, his products should be sold at a much higher price. He has influenced many lives including myself not only basketball wise but, his attitude and will to succeed. Following the 1988 season, after averaging 35 points and earning the NBA MVP honors, Michael Jordan finally led his Bulls far in the playoffs and got them all the way to the eastern conference finals but Isiah Thomas? Pistons were simply too much for Jordan and the Chicago Bulls to handle. In the beginning of the 1989-1990 season, Phil Jackson got promoted to the head coach and used the triangle offense as a staple. You guys are familiar with it, this allowed Jordan to utilize his God given abilities while at the same time, exploiting the abilities of others on the team. It balanced the team perfectly and the coaching from Phil Jackson is what separated the Chicago Bulls from being a good team, to a dynasty. This was the beginning of a new and improved team. That season, the Bulls lost to the Pistons in the conference finals again however, it was a great effort they did manage to push the series to the limit. That season as Jordan matured, he made a strong attempt to try and help his teammates reach their potential. This allowed Jordan and the Bulls to have a rematch with the Pistons. Do you think he would have lost another series to Detroit again? For those who said no, you?re right, Jordan led the Bulls passed the Pistons in a sweep! After leading the Bulls to the finals in a tough match against the Lakers, there was no holding him and the Bulls back. They managed to get to the finals and win in 5 games. Jordan was the MVP in as the Bulls got their first NBA championship during the Michael Jordan era. In the 1992 season, the Bulls stormed through the NBA and recorded a 67-15 record. During the semi finals in the playoffs, the Bulls were in a tough time against who else than the New York Knicks! The game series went to a tough 7 games but somehow and someway, Jordan and his Bulls ended up victorious. They [imgl]http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38796000/jpg/_38796121_cryingget298.jpg[/imgl] defeated Cleveland in 6 games, and an exciting 6th game, the Bulls bench was the catalyst in a 4th quarter rally against that won their second championship against the Portland Trailblazers. Now with the Bulls being considered one of the most elite franchises and rightly so, three-peat was being talked about. The Bulls finished the season with a 57-25 and again during the season, never went on a 3 game losing streak. The Bulls first defeated the Hawks in the playoffs in a sweep. After that they faced the Cleveland Cavaliers once more. Again, the result ended up in a 4 game sweep by the Bulls. They were then matched up with the Knicks again. The Knicks won the first two games however, that was the only games they would win as Chicago took the next 4 straight to win the series. The Phoenix Suns and the Bulls were matched up just as everyone thought. The Charles Barkley led Suns had the NBA?s best record at 62-20 and were in search of an NBA title. The game went into game 6 with the Bulls up 3 games to 2. Surprisingly enough, the Suns wins came in Chicago twice. In a close one in game 6 the Bulls John Paxson drained a trey with 3.9 left to finish the Bulls three-peat. After averaging 41 points per game, Michael Jordan broke Rick Barry?s record for most points in the finals and was named MVP of the finals again. Michael Jordan shocked the basketball world as he announced his retirement from the game of basketball. Immediately is jersey was hung up to the rafters. Jordan said he lost his desire to play basketball, and switched careers to play baseball. Many thought that the reason for his career change was because of the death of his father. While he was playing baseball with the White Sox and other teams, the Bulls obviously struggled a bit without the presence of the best player who ever played the game of basketball. They eventually got their act together however, something was missing?Jordan and his desire to win. The Bulls, fell to the hands of the Knicks and there dream of 4 consecutive titles fell short. To quote Mos Def, ?Chicago aint nothing since Jordan left, they got no team now, they got nothing but stress.? He was right, the Bulls were incapable of moving forwards without the presence of Michael Jordan. The next season, Jordan felt the need to return back to the game. He returned with 17 games left in 1995 however, he and the Bulls had little time to prepare for post season play as they lost to the Orlando Magic in the conference finals. The next season now with a rejuvenated Jordan, the Bulls soared to the best record by any team ever. The Bulls went to an unbelievable 72-10 record! Yet again, Jordan was the MVP of the league and the MVP of the championship as the Bulls get passed the Sonics in 6 games. Jordan also won his 8th scoring title break Wilt Chamberlain?s record. The next season the Bulls had another great season with 69 wins and only 13 losses. They could have had back to back 70 win seasons but a slight 1-4 losing streak stopped them. Even though they seemed to have slipped a little bit at the end of the season, no one would be able to tell. The Bulls swept the Bullets in the first round, and beat the Heat and the Hawks both in 5 games. As they met in the finals with the first timers Utah Jazz, they knew they were in for a hard fought series regardless. They finished off the Jazz in 6 games and won their 5th NBA championship in only 7 years. [imgr]http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Field/2314/MIKEPIP.JPG[/imgr] The Bulls had all the confidence in the world and the experience to cruise to an easy NBA championship this season right? Wrong! In the beginning, Scottie Pippen started off injured and believe it or not, the Chicago Bulls that won 5 championships in the 90?s started off to a 12-9 start. However, although the Bulls started off in such a mediocre fashion, they ended the season 60-22 and were tied with the Jazz for the best record of the season. In the playoffs, the Nets and the Hornets were no match for the Chicago Bulls as they went to the eastern conference finals where they faced their toughest opponent yet, the Pacers. The team was coached by hall of famer Larry Bird, and had the Knick-killer himself, Reggie Miller. The series went to a decisive game 7. It included a game wining basket from Reggie Miller. In that series, Reggie Miller showed us he needed a defender that was able to stop his clutchness, and in addition he showed us he needed a dancing coach and badly! Anyway, the series went down to the wire and tested the Bulls but as the saying goes, ?Never underestimate the heart of a champion.? The Bulls clearly wanted the championship more and rallied passed the Pacers. They were in for another expected match against the combo of John Stockton and Karl Malone. It went to game 6 with the Bulls leading 3 games to 2. The waning seconds of the game Jordan steals the ball from Malone. That famous and controversial play against Bryon Russell took place. Jordan created an open shot and drained it with 5.2 seconds left, which proved to be the difference maker in an 87-86 championship victory over the Jazz. This was a repeat of the three-peat and it was also the ending of the greatest dynasty ever assembled in all sports?the Chicago Bulls of the 1990?s. Jordan retired, Jackson took a year off, and Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and Luc Longley and Steve Kerr were now on different teams. When Michael Jordan left for retirement he said he was 99.9% sure he wouldn?t return. That 00.1% got him. He was partly in charge of the Washington Wizards, and in 2002 he announced his return to the game. At age 39, Michael Jordan was way out of his prime and believe it or not, he actually looked human!!! He did however manage to average 22.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game in his first season with Washington. During the next season, he gave 20, 6.1and 3.8 in his last season. He still wasn?t able to get the Wizards to the playoffs but, still looked great. Not many players have the talent to average 20+ points at the age of 40. Michael Jordan had a great impact on the NBA. His impact affected not only the league but, the world. Now that he is gone there have been many supposed to fill in his shoes. Some of the names were Harold Minor, Allen Iverson, Vince Carter and LeBron James just to name a few. The fact that many projected him as the next Jordan is an honor and it shows how greatly the game has missed him. Although the players above have had some success in their careers, no one will replace Jordan. The impact he had on the game even as a rookie has been more than what those players have done in their whole careers combined. James has been impressive as well as Wade and other young players but there is something other than statistics that separates him from everyone else. His attitude and his desire to win is what separated him from any other competitor in the game. From where he came from and where he ended up is the reason why he has influenced many. Many of us wish we could be ?Like Mike? however, there is only one Mike, and until any player has: [imgl]http://www.skyers.com.hk/skyers/jordan/images/6rings.jpg[/imgl] Six-time NBA champion (1991-93, 1996-98); NBA MVP (1988, '91, '92, '96, '98); 10-time All-NBA First Team (1987-93, 1996-98); All-NBA Second Team (1985); Defensive Player of the Year (1988); Nine-time All-Defensive First Team (1988-93, 1996-98); Rookie of the Year (1985); 14-time All-Star; All-Star MVP (1988, '96, '98); One of 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996); Two-time Olympic gold medalist (1984, '92). Then perhaps I might be sold on him but until then, there is one Jordan, who changed the face of the game and one Jordan who changed the face of the world.
That picture of Jordan leaning on Pippen after that Jazz game is my all-time favorite. That's why it's in my avatar and in the sig I'm making for myself. Just hearing or reading about that game still gives me shivers. Honestly, I think that was the best game of his career. It's hard to pick just one as he had so many great games but this one was just special.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting I-Miss-MJ:</div><div class="quote_post">why was the jumper in the final over Byron Russell controversial?</div> People say he pushed off of Russell which was a foul. I think it's a bunch of bunk and only disgruntled Jazz fans make that claim it seems.
