Jordan: An Illustrated Biography

Author: Peiqi Sutu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-06-01
Features: Like other American pioneers, such as the Wright brothers, Michael Jordan proved that humans can indeed fly. If this is a gift from heaven, then such a gift is too enviable and even jealous. He possesses everything a 40-year-old man desires: wealth, glory, power, and fame. People give him too many titles: Air Jordan, God, the Man, each carrying significant weight. Yet, he must face reality; he must leave; he needs to examine himself in what way?
Michael Jordan's Hong Kong Name: George Jordan
Height: 1.98 meters
Birthplace: Born on March 27, 1963, in Brooklyn, New York
Entered the NBA: As a junior college student, Jordan was selected as the third pick in the first round by the Chicago Bulls (Thorne)
Left the NBA: First retirement: 1993.10.6; Second retirement: 1998.1.14.
Michael Jordan had a family of seven: his father—James Jordan, mother—Deloris, and two older brothers, one older sister, and one younger sister. He attended Rien High School in North Carolina. His childhood dream was to become a baseball star. During high school, he excelled in baseball, basketball, football, and track, particularly in baseball, where he served as a pitcher for the school team, participating in and winning the state league competition. In 1979, he entered the University of North Carolina. In 1982, he helped the University of North Carolina win the NCAA championship. In 1984, as a junior college student, Jordan was selected as the third pick in the first round by the Chicago Bulls. In the 1984-1985 season, he was named NBA Rookie of the Year. In 1984, as captain, he led the U.S. college team to win the gold medal in the 23rd Los Angeles Olympics men's basketball competition. In 1986, in a game against the Boston Celtics, he scored 63 points, setting the NBA record for the highest individual score in a playoff game. In 1987 and 1988, he won the Slam Dunk Contest twice. In 1987, in a game against the Atlanta Hawks, he made 23 consecutive field goals (hitting every shot), setting the NBA record for the highest individual consecutive score. In 1989, in a game against the Utah Jazz, he tied the NBA record for the highest number of free throws made in a quarter with 14.
In 1992, he was selected to the "Dream Team" and won the gold medal in the Barcelona Olympics men's basketball competition. In 1992, rumors surfaced about gambling behavior during his golf games. On January 9, 1993, in a game against the Milwaukee Bucks, he scored 35 points, becoming the 18th player in NBA history to score over 20,000 points. On February 10, 1993, the Bulls defeated the Indiana Pacers 115-104 away. During the game, Jordan and Reggie Miller had a conflict. Jordan believed Miller deliberately elbowed him, so he retaliated with a punch. Miller was ejected from the game, while Jordan continued to play, which angered Miller and the Pacers. After reviewing the game footage, Jordan was fined $10,000 and suspended for one game.
On May 12, 1993, he was named to the All-Defensive First Team for the season, alongside Hakeem Olajuwon, Joe Dumars, Dennis Rodman, and Scottie Pippen. On the night of May 25, 1993, Jordan traveled to Atlantic City for gambling, just 18 hours before the Eastern Conference finals. On June 4, 1993, Eskinas, the general manager of a San Diego entertainment company, published a book titled "My Gambling Friend Jordan," revealing that Jordan had gambled with him and claimed to have won $1.25 million from him. Jordan admitted to gambling but denied losing $1.25 million.
On June 21, 1993, in the sixth game of the Bulls vs. Suns series, Paxson hit a three-pointer with 3.9 seconds left, winning the game 99-98 and securing the championship with a final score of 4-2. The Bulls achieved a three-peat. Jordan averaged 41 points per game during the finals, setting the NBA Finals scoring record.
On August 3, 1993, Jordan's father, James, was murdered by two young men near a small river in South Carolina. On October 6, 1993, Jordan announced his retirement from basketball at the Bulls' training center, shocking the world. He said, "I have reached the peak of my career, everything I need to do is done, and there is nothing left for me to prove on the basketball court." This was Jordan's first retirement.
In early 1994, Jordan announced his joining the Chicago Cubs baseball team. On March 4, 1994, Jordan made his debut in a baseball game as a rookie, performing modestly but receiving enthusiastic cheers from the fans. Jordan said, "I feel confused. I didn't hit any good balls, yet they gave me so much applause, which puts a lot of pressure on me."
On the night of September 9, 1994, Jordan was invited to participate in a charity game organized by Pippen to raise funds for Chicago children. In the game, Jordan scored 52 points.
On November 1, 1994, Michael Jordan and his No. 23 jersey retired at the Chicago United Center. Jordan and his three children pulled the rope, hoisting the jersey with all its honors to the ceiling.
In the fall of 1994, due to a strike by the Major League Baseball Players Association, Jordan was "unemployed."
On March 18, 1995, Jordan's "I'm back!" shocked the world again.
On the night of March 18, 1995, Jordan made his return in his first game, facing the Indiana Pacers. Jordan switched to a No. 45 jersey, scoring 19 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals, playing 43 minutes. However, the Bulls lost the game 96-103 away.
On May 17, 1995, the Bulls, led by Jordan, were eliminated from the Eastern Conference semifinals by the Magic with a 2-4 record.
On March 18, 1996, in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Jordan reached 24,000 points in his career, becoming the all-time leading scorer for the Chicago Bulls.
In 1996, Jordan was named one of the greatest players in NBA history.
5 NBA championships (1991-1993, 1996-1997).
5 NBA regular-season MVPs (1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998).
10 selections to the NBA All-Star Team (1988-1993, 1996-1998).
8 scoring titles (1987-1993, 1996-1997).
Jordan participated in the All-Star Game 12 times, winning the All-Star Game MVP in 1988, 1996, and 1998.
5 NBA Finals MVPs (1991-1993, 1996-1997).
Scoring record: 69 points, March 28, 1990, against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Rebounding record: 18 rebounds, 2 times.
Assisting record: 17 assists, March 24, 1989, against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Stealing record: 10 steals, January 29, 1988, against the New Jersey Nets.
Block record: 6 blocks, February 12, 1986, against the Seattle SuperSonics.
Playing time record: 56 minutes, February 3, 1992, against the Utah Jazz.