From Asia thru Europe thru Australia thru Africa and thru the Americas, Michael Jordan is the best-known athlete in the world. His basketball accomplishments are written all over the world.
In the NBA Michael Jordan starred with the Chicago Bulls from 1984-1985 thru 1999-1993, then retired in 1993 due to the murder of his father by a pair of young thugs, returned to action with the Bulls on March 18 1995 and played thru 1998-1999. Retired and later joined the Washington Wizards 2001-2002 thru 2002-2003.
Michael Jordan is the only player in basketball history to win the NBA scoring title and be chosen for the NBA’s All-Defensive first team during the same season 9 times. No other player recorded this feat more than four times. He was chosen the NBA’s MVP five times.
Michael Jordan won the NBA Scoring Title 10 times, second is Wilt Chamberlain with 7 titles.
In 1984-1985 he led the NBA with 2,313 points, was voted the Rookie of the Year and was chosen for the NBA’s second team All-Stars.
In 1987 his third NBA season, Michael Jordan started setting numerous basketball records. He led the NBA with a torrid 37.1 points per game average, was the first player to post 200 steals, 236, and have 100 blocks, 125, in the same season. He also was the first guard ever to score over 3,000 points, 3041.
In 1988 Michael Jordan added the honor of being chosen the NBA Defensive Player of the Year to another scoring crown and once more put up record numbers with 259 steals and 131 blocks.
Michael Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to three consecutive World Championships, 1991, 1992 and 1993. He retired after the death of his father, and later played minor league baseball in the Chicago White Sox organization. Michael Jordan returned to the Chicago Bulls and once more led the team to three straight NBA Championships, 1996-1999.
‘Be like Mike’ or ‘His Greatness’ or ‘Air Jordan’ were some of the phrases used during his time or simply his first name – Michael.
‘Total Basketball’ correctly described Michael Jordan thusly. ‘Jordan’s athletic endowments included quickness, a lightning-fast first step, and airborne ability that allowed him to create his own shot almost any time he wanted to. In addition, he used his hang time to get into the lane and score, or draw a foul. These talents aided his defense and increased his incredible variety of offensive options. When he entered the league in 1984 he relied mostly on penetration and short jumpers. He soon developed a better perimeter and back-to-the-basket game. He could post-up even tall guards and shoot over them with such improbable fadeaway jumpers that he seemed to be falling backwards, his back parallel with the floor.’
After playing in 15 National Basketball seasons Michael Jordan retired with the highest points per game career average in the regular season, 30.1. In the playoffs, he scored the most points with 5,987, had the most FG attempted 4,497, made the most FT, 1,463, most FTA with 1,766 and scored the most points per game 33.4.
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