Michael Jordan: The Greatest Player in NBA History (part 2)

The continuation of Jordan’s journey to the realm of the sporting elite.

Michael Jordan once dazzled crowds with his athletic prowess by his ability to slam from the free throw line and his ability to articulate his body while moving through the air. Such feats earned him the name “Air Jordan” and “His Airness.” At the same time, Jordan was evolving his game by first fortifying his defense skills and earning a reputation as one for best defensive players in the league.

• Jordan was the first player to have 200 steals and 100 blocks in a season
• Jordan won NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1988
• Jordan went to Atlantic City the night before a playoff game with New York

In time, Jordan flew less, but influenced his team more as he learned to will his team to victory “by any means necessary.” Whether it was amazing three-point skills or carrying the ball into the paint to draw the foul and shoot on the line, Jordan made a way when there was none. Jordan became the bane of pundit who partook in sports betting against him. His 14 NBA All-Star appearances and 10 scoring titles haven’t any “air” apparent.

The long road to Jordan’s first championship

It was during the 1986-1987 season in which Jordan would begin the practice of evolving his game to continuously higher levels. As he started his annual “NBA All defensive team” presence, Jordan became the first player to in NBA history to have 200 steals and 100 blocks in a season. Once again the Bulls were defeated in the playoffs by the Boston Celtics. Jordan’s emergence into the NBA was brewed under the shadows of the Magic/Bird era. As it came to an end it would soon be replaced by the Detroit Pistons.

As expected Jordan repeated to lead the NBA in scoring in the next season and were able to successfully defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs. Isaiah Thomas and his group of physical players, known as “the bad boys”, ended Chicago’s playoff hopes and won the NBA title that year. The next year would prove much of the same as Jordan would be defeated by the constant double and triple teaming by Detroit.

The 1988-1989 season proved different as Chicago’s young players Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant were improving. Their new coach, retired New York superstar, Phil Jackson brought a new presence to the team. Although they had the best record yet since Jordan’s arrival, but they still managed to lose to the Detroit in the East Coast Finals. 1991 proved a magical year for Jordan as he won his second MVP award and led his team to a first place finish in their division with 61 wins making U.S. gambling news.

As teammate Scottie Pippen became an All-Star, the Bulls easily advanced in the post season to confront their nemesis the Detroit Pistons. The Bulls dominated the Pistons in a four-game sweep which resulted in Isaiah Thomas leading his teammates from the court before the game had ended. Jordan and company took on Magic Johnson and Los Angeles Lakers in “showtime” fashion beating them in five games winning their first NBA Championship.

Jordan accumulation of NBA Championships

Jordan’s next two years would prove much of the same as the Bulls dominated the NBA. The next season gained an incredible 67-15 record, Chicago persevered an intense seven-game series with New York and won a 6-game series with Cleveland. The next Final’s opponent would be The Portland Trailblazers. In their first game, Jordan set a record with six three-pointers and would progress to win the series and NBA title 4-2.

The next season, not only did Chicago win their third straight NBA title, but Jordan won his third straight Finals MVP award averaging 41 points per game. During his series with New York, Jordan went to Atlantic City, New Jersey and later admitted to USD 57,000 in gambling losses. When a Richard Esquinas admitted to winning USD 1.2 million in golf from Jordan, controversy muddled Jordan’s career for the first time.

Jordan also experienced personal tragedy in his life when his father James Jordan Sr. was shot while in his car. Jordan also experienced personal tragedy in his life when his father James Jordan Sr. was shot while in his car. In October, Jordan announced his retirement sending ripples through gambling news. After a brief stint playing Double-A minor league baseball for the Birmingham Barons, Jordan decided to come out of retirement. Although the Bull didn’t win the title directly after Jordan’s return, the 1995-1996 season started a new performance of three-consecutive NBA championship runs by the Chicago team.

The addition of “rebound specialist” Dennis Rodman helped the Bulls team and resulted in them having the greatest record in NBA history of 72-10. Defeating the Seattle Supersonics, the Bull won their fourth title. The next year the Bulls had a 69-11 season and went on to win the title over Karl Malone and the Utah Jazz. The following year would be a repeat performance as Chicago beat Utah in the finals 4-2 winning their sixth NBA championship.

Jordan retired and became Head of basketball operations for the Washington Wizards. The new role proved challenging for Jordan since he had a lack of control that he once held on the court. In 2001, Jordan decided to return out of retirement for a second time to play for the Wizards. Although he was marred by injuries, every seat sold out in Washington during Jordan’s two seasons. Jordan’s last game was in Philadelphia in 2003 where he was witness to a three minute standing ovation by his teammates, his opponents, the officials and the 21,257 people in attendance.