Michael Jordan is undoubtedly one of the most successful professional sportspeople in terms of popularity & wealth. He is a true inspirer, let’s give a look at his life & journey.
Pre-professional Life
Basketball superstar Michael Jordan was born in Brooklyn, New York on February 17 in 1963. He was one of the 5 children of James and Deloris Jordan. Michael was young when the family shifted to Wilmington, North California.
Jordan was from a middle-class family. His mother worked in a bank that taught him to do his own works from sewing, cleaning to laundry. Michael’s father worked as a general electric plant supervisor and he taught him to work hard.
Jordan made his basketball team in high school. He accepted a basketball scholarship after high school at the University of North Carolina. MJ played under senior coach Dean Smith.
Michael Jordan was achieving his dream as a naïve. He got Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Rookie of the Year for 1982 in his first season in North Carolina.
In 1984, Jordan was selected by the Chicago Bulls, a team from (NBA) National Basketball Academy.
Professional Journey
In his early professional days itself, Jordan outshined in the sports world. Chicago Bulls was not doing well as a team when Michael Jordan was selected. Guess what! Jordan turned his team status around so quickly.
Michael Jordan was always a super active & fierce player who reminded of Julius Erving to his fans and all the sportswriters. If you are a basketball lover you can feel thrilled even by imagining his incredible leaping ability and hang time.
Jordan was named to the All-Star team in his very first season. Later he was honored as the league’s Rookie of the Year.
During 1985-1986, Jordan was sidelined for almost 64 games due to his broken foot.
He returned to game & set an NBA playoff record. He scored 49 points in the first game and 63 in the second against Boston Celtics. Jordan kept on playing and breaking records of great players of all time.
Michael Jordan became the second player to score 3000 points in a single season after Wilt Chamberlain. Jordan was named Defensive Player of the Year in 1988.
MJ became the first-ever player to lead the league in scoring and stealing both. He was named MVP in the All-Star game, another outstanding achievement of Michael Jordan.
In 1991, Bulls won NBA title against Los Angeles Lakers. The team repeated next year also as NBA champions against Portland Trail Blazers.
Jordan played on the “Dream Team” in 1992 which took part in the Summer Olympic Games held in Barcelona in Spain. And won the gold medal easily.
Jordan’s unexpected retirement
After a playoff series with the New York Knicks in 1993, the Bulls met with the Phoenix Suns. Chicago won the third straight title with Jordan as playoff MVP.
Unfortunately, Jordan’s father was murdered by two men in a robbery. He announced his retirement due to his father’s demise & upsetting media reports.
Amazing Achievements of Michael Jordan
- Three straight NBA titles
- Three regular-season MVP awards
- Three playoff MVP titles
- Seven consecutive scoring titles
- A member of the All-Star team every year that he was in the league
- He became the Bulls all-time leading scorer in just 9 seasons.
Jordan’s return: his zeal made him shine
Michael Jordan returned with a zest to prove himself & show that he can still capture the topmost position. In 1995-1996 the Bulls set an NBA record win (72-10 )for most seasons.
Jordan proved himself to all those people who thought, “If he could do it again?”
He earned his 8th scoring title with coming back in form. He also outshined by becoming 10th NBA player to gain 25,000 career points & second after Chamberlain.
Michael kept on playing with multiple achievements in his platter.
Jordan Retired again
Michael took his second retirement in 1999. He is for sure one of the greatest sportsperson especially basketball players of all time. Jordan announced in 2001 in a press conference about his return after 3-year retirement. He said
“Physically, I know I’m not twenty-five years old, but I feel I can play the game of basketball at the highest level.”
Another low phase of his life was Jan 2002 when he was distracted from the game as his wife Juanita, whom he married in 1989, filed for divorce. (They have three children.)
Luckily in the next month itself, the divorce was called off. Jordan planned to play another season for the Wizards.
Michael Jordan is an epitome of strength & dedication. He is a true inspiration who never gave up after so many ups & downs in his journey. Jordan’s positive attitude in his game & life helped him to become a successful player.