When it comes to the best NBA player of all time, most people would immediately think of Michael Jordan. The basketball superstar has made history with 10 scoring titles, 6 MVP awards, and a record-setting performance in the playoffs. He has also won the coveted Olympic gold medal twice and been named College Player of the Year twice. In addition, he owns an NBA franchise, making him the first former basketball player to own a professional sports team.
Before he made it big in the NBA, he was a student athlete at the University of North Carolina. After his junior year, he had a brief stint in professional baseball, but decided to return to the NBA. For a short time, he even played for the minor league Birmingham Barons in the Chicago White Sox system.
However, it wasn't until Jordan was drafted by the Chicago Bulls with the third overall pick in the 1984 NBA Draft that he achieved star status. A member of the 1988-1989 Bulls team, he averaged 33.6 points per game and was a major reason for the franchise's success. With Jordan leading the way, the Bulls fought their way to the NBA Finals, where they defeated Magic Johnson's Los Angeles Lakers.
By 1990, the Bulls had won the first NBA title in 16 years. They matched that with another championship in 1991-1992. But in 1993-1994, the Bulls struggled to make the playoffs. Those two seasons saw the beginnings of the "Jordan Rules," a defensive strategy conceived by the Detroit Pistons to counter Jordan's acrobatic drives and shoots.
In 1997-98, the Bulls soared to a 72-10 regular season record and earned a spot in the NBA Finals. There, they met Karl Malone's Utah Jazz, who was leading the NBA in steals and rebounds. Although they lost the series in six games, the Bulls had the winning basket with 25 seconds left.
For a second straight season, Jordan earned the league's Most Valuable Player award. During the 1995-1996 season, the Bulls qualified for the playoffs for the third consecutive year, but they couldn't make it to the conference finals. That's when Jordan returned to the lineup. Fortunately, he was able to lead the Bulls to three straight NBA championships.
Despite his storied accomplishments, some have suggested that he was a poor businessman. Not only did he gamble recklessly, he didn't manage his money well. This could have potentially cost him a family member.
On the court, Michael Jordan was a great shooter, a master of the dunk, and a tenacious defender. He was able to score more than anyone else on the planet and he had more clutch shots than any other player in the league. While the trophy he won - the Michael Jordan Trophy - doesn't actually use his name, it has subtle nods to his time in the league.
Despite the fact that his game was often overshadowed by his off-court controversies, Michael Jordan is one of the most beloved and successful basketball players of all time. His ability to combine artistry, improvisational skills, and great leadership qualities with a ferocious desire to win has helped him to become one of the greatest of all time.
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