Michael Jordan
HIS SLAM DUNK TO SUCCESS
EARLY LIFE
Michael Jordan was born on February 17, 1963 in Brooklyn, New York. Michael had always enjoyed sports, and was a very competitive person. As a child, he thought for sure he was destined to be short. Young Jordan seemed like one of the least possible people to become a pro basketball player. As Jordan moves to high school, he tries out for a variety of basketball teams in his freshman year. Unfortunately, he was cut. This is a major point in his life that influences Jordan's decisions later.
GETTING INVOLVED
As his journey through high school takes him to the Tar Heels in his freshman year, Jordan's 1st game goes well. He scores a winning 15-foot jump shot in the final seconds of the 1982 NCAA championship. He then led the Tar Heels Atlantic Coast Conference Championship of 1983-1984, but they lost the NCAA tournament; Jordan is then named co-captain of the U.S. Olympic basketball team.
CHOICES AND RESULTS
Jordan decided to become a pro basketball player in 1984. Starting out, he was named rookie of the year and led the NBA in points. He led his 1st NBA team The Bulls to victory after their depressing season. In fact, after Michael joined The Bulls, population increased 87% at games. However, despite his remarkable success, he decided to retire from The Bulls and attempt to play baseball. After disappointing games, he returned to the sport he loved.
IN HIS WORDS
Jordan claimed that he wanted to retire when he was still healthy. He wanted everyone to remember how he played when he was still young, not when his legs didn't work as well or if he couldn't shoot as good.
AFTERMATH
When he decided to reunite with The Bulls, he hadn't played in a while, and he only scored 19 points in his 1st game back. People had started wondering if his sudden lack of skill was due to age. at the time, he was 32 years old. However, disappointed with his performance, Jordan perfected an almost unstoppable jump shot, and proved that his older age, did not in fact affect his performance.
QUOTES ABOUT THE STAR PLAYER
- I want to do rebounds for what Jordan did for dunks- Dennis Rodman
- Being Michael Jordan means acting the same way as I always have- Michael Jordan