133 replies to this topic

[Derelict]

Michael Jordan, who was elected to the Hall of Fame on April 6, raised his national profile when, as a freshman, he made the go-ahead jumper in the closing seconds of North Carolina's 63-62 victory against Georgetown in the 1982 national championship game. Not bad for a player who was once cut from his high school varsity team.

In 1984, Jordan was the consensus college player of the year, the leading scorer on the gold-medal-winning U.S. Olympic team and the third pick in the NBA draft. The Bulls selected Jordan after the Rockets took Hakeem Olajuwon at No. 1 and the Trail Blazers chose Sam Bowie at No. 2.

Jordan signed a five-year, $2.5 million endorsement deal with Nike in 1984. The partnership proved incredibly successful for both parties, with the superstar creating a brand and Nike reaping the rewards from its line of Air Jordan sneakers and other Jordan-related products.

Jordan was named 1984-85 Rookie of the Year after averaging 28.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists in leading the Bulls to an 11-game improvement (38 victories from 27).

After breaking his foot in the third game of his second season, Jordan returned in time for a first-round playoff series against the Celtics. In Game 2, Jordan scored a playoff-record 63 points in the Bulls' 135-131 double-overtime loss at Boston Garden. "God disguised as Michael Jordan," said Larry Bird

In what's widely regarded as the best dunk contest of all time, Jordan edged Dominique Wilkins in the 1988 event in Chicago. Later that year, Jordan won his first MVP award and lifted Chicago past Cleveland in a first-round series before he and the Bulls were roughed up by the Bad Boy Pistons in the conference semifinals.

The Bulls eliminated Cleveland in the first round in 1989, too, thanks to The Shot, Jordan's game-winning foul-line jumper at the buzzer over Craig Ehlo in the decisive Game 5. Chicago went on to beat New York in the second round but lost to Detroit in the conference finals. Coach Doug Collins was fired after the season and replaced by Phil Jackson.

In 1990-91, with Phil Jackson in his second season on the bench, Scottie Pippen entering his prime and Jordan grabbing regular-season and Finals MVP awards, the Bulls won their first championship in franchise history.

The Bulls repeated as champions in 1991-92. Jordan set the tone in the NBA Finals against Portland, hitting six three-pointers and scoring 35 points in the first half of Game 1.

The Dream Team, featuring Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and other All-NBA players, won the Olympic gold medal in 1992. Widely considered the greatest sports team ever assembled, the U.S. squad dominated foes nightly by 40 points, traveled like rock stars and dazzled budding NBA fans as a marketing tool to grow the sport globally.

"I'm back," Jordan announced via fax in March 1995. Wearing No. 45, Jordan played his first NBA game since his return at Indiana on March 19, scoring 16 points (on 7-of-28 shooting) in 38 minutes in the Bulls' overtime loss.

In his fifth game back, Jordan scored 55 points against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 28, 1995. Jordan also fed Bill Wennington for the game-winning basket in Chicago's 113-111 victory.

In Jordan's first full season since his return, the Bulls (72-10) became the first team in NBA history to win at least 70 games. Jordan was the regular-season MVP, the All-Star MVP and the Finals MVP

With the 1997 NBA Finals tied at 2-2, a flu-ridden Jordan scored 38 points in Chicago's victory in Game 5 at Utah. The Bulls won Game 6 to clinch their fifth championship.

Jordan's last game as a Bull, on June 14, 1998, proved to be a memorable one. He made a key steal and nailed the game-winning shot over Utah's Bryon Russell to punctuate a 45-point performance as the Bulls wrapped up their six title and second three-peat.

[Juan23]

Now thats a No Brainer....i liked to know who would not give him a first place vote.....

[Kosar]

Now thats a No Brainer....i liked to know who would not give him a first place vote.....

Not sure about basketball, but no MLB player has ever been unanimously voted in.
Who was the dude who looked down at his ballot, saw the name Willie Mays, and said 'No'?

Edited by Kosar, 06 April 2009 - 01:25 PM.

[Derelict]

Someone who has an agenda would vote "No".

[Mohican83]

Not sure about basketball, but no MLB player has ever been unanimously voted in.
Who was the dude who looked down at his ballot, saw the name Willie Mays, and said 'No'?

That same slapnutz that would say no to Kareem, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain

[Kosar]

I think the 6 dudes who didn't vote in Nolan Ryan should have their credentials taken away.
You're a writer.  Quit trying to make a statement!

[Mohican83]

Some writers believe you shouldn't make it on the first ballot because Babe or Ty Cobb didn't.  Idiots

[Derelict]

Hey you dudes are waaaaaay off topic. Juan my man please set them straight.

[Mohican83]

Still don't agree Jordan is the greatest player ever

[Kosar]

Some writers believe you shouldn't make it on the first ballot because Babe or Ty Cobb didn't.  Idiots

Don't pretend like you don't know no baseball.

[Mohican83]

Tony Gwynn sounds like Chunk from the goonies

[Kosar]

Tony Gwynn sounds like Chunk from the goonies

My brother in-law went to college with Chunk.
They were dorm neighbors.

Despite the voice, Gwynn is a million times better than Morgan.
Does Gwynn still coach at SDSU?

[Mohican83]

Yeah, no matter what their record, they will never let him go

[Kosar]

My two favorite players growing up were Tony Gwynn and David Cone.
I'd bring up Toby Harrah, but no one's probably heard of him.

And yes Derelict, I agree.
Nice cut and paste.

[Mohican83]

Believe it or not I have heard of Toby Harrah, I have also heard of

[Derelict]

My two favorite players growing up were Tony Gwynn and David Cone.
I'd bring up Toby Harrah, but no one's probably heard of him.

And yes Derelict, I agree.
Nice cut and paste.

We can all thank our friends from cnnsi.

[Ricky]

We can all thank our friends from cnnsi.

hahaha

[Honda]

[Derelict]

Six Time, Six Time, Six Time, Six Time, Six Time, Six Time, Six Time, NBA Champion! WhoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo!!!!

[AB4sure]

Great Vid of Jordan.   He would have to be the greatest guard of all time in my opinion with Magic a close second.   I use to hate Jordan but can't deny the superb talent he is.  It is very hard to compare center with guards and so it is hard to compare Jordan with a Chamberlain or Kareem.