Yesterday Michael Jordan was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame and will be inducted in September along with David Robinson, John Stockton, Jerry Sloan and C. Vivian Stringer. This adds even more accolades to the man widely considered the best to ever play the game. Jordan displayed a mood ESPN morning show host Mike Greenberg aptly described as "melancholy" about the accomplishment. Always the consumate competitor, Jordan appeared almost upset that this signaled the true end to his basketball playing career. He even admitted as much at yesterday's press conference.
"I don't like being up here for the Hall of Fame because at that time your basketball career is completely over. I was hoping this day would be 20 more years, or actually go in when I'm dead and gone."
Jordan retired twice from professional basketball during his career. The first to try his hand at professional baseball after the tragic murder of his father. He had lead the Chicago Bulls to three consecutive NBA championships from 1991-1993 immediately before his shocking retirement. After his baseball career yielded dissapointing results, he announced famously "I'm back" on March 18, 1995. He rejoined the Chicago Bulls the next day and played against the Indiana Pacers, scoring 19 points. He then engineered the Bulls to three more consecutive championships in 1996-1998, and retired following their sixth and final title.
In 2000, Jordan became part owner and President of Basketball Operations for the Washington Wizards. His competitiveness and self-confidence would soon get the best of him, and in 2001 he suited up for the Wizards at the age of 38. While he was clearly not "Air" Jordan at almost 40, he did have an impressive season, averaging 22.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 5.2 apg and 1.4 spg. The final season of his career saw him average 20 points per game at 40 years of age.
The list of career accomplishments is astounding. For example:
- NCAA Champion (1982) - University of North Carolina
- John R. Wooden Award, Naismith College Player of the Year, The Sporting News College Player of the Year, and ACC Men's Basketball Player of the Year (1984)
- NBA Rookie of the Year (1985)
- 6 NBA championships, winning NBA Finals Most Valuable Player six times.
- Lead the NBA in scoring 10 seasons, including 7 consecutive
- 5 NBA MVP awards
- 10-time All-NBA First Team
- NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1988), 9-time NBA All-Defensive First-Team
- 14-time NBA All-Star, 3-time NBA All-Star game MVP
- 2nd all-time list in career steals
- Most career blocked shots by a guard
- 2-time NBA Slam Dunk competition champion
- Lead the Chicago Bulls to an NBA-best season record of 72-10 in 1995-96 season.
More accomplishments listed at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_career_achievements_by_Michael_Jordan
Daniel,
ReplyDeleteI think your website stinks and so does Michael Jordan. I think Mark Sanford is a patriot and a good christian man. Plus, have you seen his body? He looks like a greek god, and no that's not bronzer.
Thanks, and have a great day!
Haha, thanks, I appreciate your input.
ReplyDeleteWell I don't want you to appreciate my input. It wasn't meant to be uplifting for you, your ego, or your crappy little website. Your website is the internet equivalent to fish wrap and dog pads. I fully and sincerely hope that a money hungry Michael Jordan sues you for every dollar in your wallet for using his name.
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