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 the league history with 200 steals and 100 blocks in a seasons, 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), he was the 1st player since Wilt Chamberlain to top 3,000 points in a season, record nine-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection (1987-88 to 1992-93, 1995-96 to 1997-98), member of 6 Chicago Bulls championships teams, named MVP 5 times (1987-88, 1990-91, 1991-92, 1995-96, 1997-98), named the 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), participated in 11 NBA all star games, and six-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player awards 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 front page of every newspaper and top story of every news program. Changing 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 who had the worst record in the NBA of last season with a 15-66 record, is having the most sell out games than even the championship team from L.A. Out of every year the Jordan shoes has been on the line this is 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 players hits the game winning three. The name Michael Jordan is one of the most recognizable names on earth.
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 defiantly 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 this season to beat the Suns with two-tenths of a second left, the Cavilers 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 eye’s 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 90’s averaging 20ppg while shooting 50% and 40% from 3pt range. Around 1991-‘92 season, Tim Hardaway was averaging 23.4ppg making 2 steal, 10 assists and grabbing 4 rebounds each game That same year Kendal Gill was starting his sophomore year in the NBA and was putting up 20.5ppg, making 2 steals, 4 assist and collecting 5 rebounds to average his season. As the ’93-’94 came around a rookie came into the league shooting 17.5ppg, 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 arose and Jamal Mashburn made his make hitting 24.1ppg. Later in 1995-’96 season the young ones started to mount. Jason Kidd was making 16.6ppg, 2 steals, 10 assists, and getting 7 rebounds. Among him was Juwan Howard averaging 22.1ppg, giving 4 assists, and colleting 8 rebounds. To add to those three, in Orlando making a debut were Shaq and Anfernee Hardaway. Hardaway was making 21.7 ppg, getting 2 steals, 7 assists and finding 4 rebounds. Some of the major stars now started their reach to idolism in 1996 when Allan Iverson was the #1 pick making 23.5 ppg, giving out 7 assists, finding 2 steals and 4 rebound each game. Kobe Bryant started making some baskets in his 3rd year in the league hitting almost 20ppg while Grant Hill was averaging 21.4 ppg, 2 steals, 7 assists and 9 rebound. These players might have been more popular or known about if MJ wasn’t in the league, because his stats made these players look like high schoolers. Jordan’s averaged 37.1ppg in a season, 8 assists, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, and making 2 blocks.
Michael Jordan has also collected 6 championship rings, would the Bull still have won those games? The chances of that happening are slim to none as we see when Jordan left for his first retirement after getting 3 championship rings, the bulls didn’t even make it to the playoffs that year, but as he came back they won 3 more titles to conclude with 6 rings. In 1991 the Bulls faced the L.A. Lakers that included Magic Johnson. The series went to game seven in which the Bulls defeated them, although this series would have been over in the first four games and L.A. would have taken home the Championship if it wasn’t for MJ stepping up and averaging 31.2 ppg, along with 11 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks and 3 steals each game in the playoffs. The next year the Bulls faced the Portland Trail Blazers with Clyde Drexler captain of the team in the Finals. The games went on to game 6 where Chicago beat Portland by 4 points. 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 player without winning a ring is John Stockton and Karl Malone who played against Jordan both in ‘97 and ‘98 Finals. Without Jordan obviously history would have been different.
Michael Jordan has master to what everyone could imagine in a basketball player; blocks, steals, assists, dunks, rebounds, and no need to mention points. His mentality and completive thrive is what makes 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.” Michael Jordan