A World Without MJ

Michael Jordan is a man of mystery and excitement. His accomplishments are astounding, and unreachable. His motivation and attitude is like no other. And that is what makes him Michael Jordan! Reaching goals and unlimited heights is how he gets his name. No one knows what this man is capable of doing, and because of that nothing can stop him but himself.

Basketball would not be what it is today without the man known as Michael Jordan. Accomplishing more than any other player could imagine: he was the first player in league history with 200 steals and 100 blocks in a season, holds the NBA record for most seasons leading the league in scoring (10), holds the NBA Finals record for highest single-series scoring average (41.0 ppg in 1993), holds the NBA Playoffs record for highest career scoring average (33.4 ppg), holds the NBA record for most consecutive games scoring in double digits (840), shares the NBA record with Wilt Chamberlain for most consecutive seasons leading the league in scoring (seven, 1986–87 to 1992–93), was the first player since Wilt Chamberlain to top 3,000 points in a season, was a record nine-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection (1987–88 to 1992–93, 1995–96 to 1997–98), member of 6 Chicago Bulls championship teams, named MVP 5 times (1987–88, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1995–96, 1997–98), named MVP of the 1988, 1996 and 1998 NBA All-Star Games, ten-time All-NBA First Team selection (1986–87 to 1992–93, 1995–96 to 1997–98), and six-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player — these are just some of his many accomplishments.

As Michael made the decision to return to the NBA for the third time, the American people went crazy — it was on the front page of every newspaper and the top story of every news program. Changing an economy in a matter of one day by a single person is unlikely, but as it was shown, Jordan is a man who could do it in less than a day. Michael Jordan was the reason why a team that had the worst record in the NBA the previous season was having the most sellout games, even more than the championship team from L.A. Of every year the Jordan shoes have been on the line, this was the year Nike had the fastest sellout of them. When the Washington Wizards go on a road trip you see more fans with Jordan jerseys than with their hometown players' jerseys. Even better yet, the crowd cheers louder after Jordan makes the easiest shot than when one of their own players hits the game-winning three. The name Michael Jordan is one of the most recognizable names on earth.

The history of the NBA would be completely different, as Michael Jordan was considered to be Webster's definition of a basketball player. Without Mike, the Bulls in his 13 years of playing with them would have definitely lost 25 more games, because Jordan hit those 25 game-winning shots to overcome their competition. Along with those 25, Jordan also hit 3 for the Wizards — to beat the Suns with two-tenths of a second left, the Cavaliers with no time left, and the Knicks with three seconds left. Being 39 years old and playing like he's 25 shows major skill and ability that no other player has shown.

When Michael Jordan's playing, all eyes are on him — if he wasn't there, where would the eyes be? Taking a look at some of the players with good statistics during his time, we find that players like Reggie Miller would have been a bigger star in the '90s, averaging 20 ppg while shooting 50% and 40% from 3-point range. Around the 1991–92 season, Tim Hardaway was averaging 23.4 ppg with 2 steals, 10 assists and 4 rebounds each game. That same year Kendall Gill was starting his sophomore year in the NBA, putting up 20.5 ppg with 2 steals, 4 assists and 5 rebounds a game. As the 1993–94 season came around, a rookie came into the league shooting 17.5 ppg, along with 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks per game — he is now putting up bigger numbers yet, making it to the playoffs, and is known as Chris Webber. The next year came around and Jamal Mashburn made his mark hitting 24.1 ppg. Later, in the 1995–96 season, the young ones started to mount: Jason Kidd was making 16.6 ppg, 2 steals, 10 assists and 7 rebounds; among him was Juwan Howard averaging 22.1 ppg with 4 assists and 8 rebounds. To add to those three, in Orlando making a debut were Shaq and Anfernee Hardaway — Hardaway was making 21.7 ppg with 2 steals, 7 assists and 4 rebounds. Some of the major stars now started their rise in 1996 when Allen Iverson was the No. 1 pick making 23.5 ppg with 7 assists, 2 steals and 4 rebounds each game. Kobe Bryant started making some baskets in his third year in the league, hitting almost 20 ppg, while Grant Hill was averaging 21.4 ppg with 2 steals, 7 assists and 9 rebounds. These players might have been more popular or better known if MJ wasn't in the league, because his stats made these players look like high schoolers. Jordan averaged 37.1 ppg in a season, with 8 assists, 8 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks.

Michael Jordan has also collected 6 championship rings — would the Bulls still have won those games? The chances of that happening are slim to none. When Jordan left for his first retirement after getting 3 championship rings, the Bulls didn't even make it out of the second round of the playoffs; but when he came back they won 3 more titles, concluding with 6 rings. In 1991 the Bulls faced the L.A. Lakers team that included Magic Johnson, and Chicago took the series. In 1992 the Bulls faced the Portland Trail Blazers with Clyde Drexler, captain of the team, in the Finals; Chicago beat Portland in 6 games. Portland would have had another championship within the past 3 years if it weren't for Mike. The third championship was against Charles Barkley and the Phoenix Suns — if it weren't for Michael, Charles would have a ring of his own. If Mike later didn't come back and win three more championships, they could have belonged to the Sonics in 1996. The two players who have made it to the NBA Finals more times than any other players without winning a ring are John Stockton and Karl Malone, who played against Jordan in both the 1997 and 1998 Finals. Without Jordan, obviously history would have been different.

Michael Jordan has mastered what everyone could imagine in a basketball player: blocks, steals, assists, dunks, rebounds, and no need to mention points. His mentality and competitive drive are what make him unreachable. All kids dream of being like Mike — even the great ones in today's NBA.

"I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."