Michael Jordan: proving Legends are true
There is an exclusive list of a people in the world that have won over the hearts and minds of the public at large by setting fantastic examples in front of them. And then, there are the extra-ordinary amongst them who have done so in a way to help and encourage the onlookers. These people are the ones who are considered to be a legend in their own right. Michael Jordan is one such name.
The life of Michael Jordan is indeed very appealing and can, without debate, set an example for an up and coming sportsman. That would probably be one of the main reasons why Michael Jordan enjoys so much popularity and respect by people across the globe. The traits that guided him towards success were Jordan’s ability to remain focused at all times, honesty and most importantly, his will power. He certainly showed a way to prove the phrase, ‘where there is a will, there is a way’.
Michael Jordan adorned sports from an early age but that didn’t necessarily mean that he was very good at them. In fact, Jordan failed to make it to the basketball team in his first attempt. Jordan then went back to the court and practiced hard for an entire year before making it in the next season. ‘Practice makes man perfect’ was belief enshrined in Jordan’s head. Michael, further on in his life, acquired many awards and achievements and his practice was responsible for a majority of his laurels. He came from a humble background and went on to study at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on a basketball scholarship. Michael soon became the rising star of their team where he continued his outstanding performances and made his University team win one championship after another.
Like everybody else, Michael dreamed of flying as well by making it to the National Basketball Association (NBA). Eventually, his dream became a reality in 1984 when he joined one of the best clubs in the NBA, the Chicago Bulls. With time, he proved it to everyone that he indeed had the capability to fly. However, the club was going down the drain when Jordan decided to sign its contract. Very few players have the ability to turn a dead club into a roaring success in their first season. Fortunately for the Chicago Bulls, Michael was one of them. In his first season, not only did he turn the tables around for the club but he made it to the All-Star team and was named as the league's Rookie of the Year. That in itself was a stunning achievement.
For his astonishing skills, he soon got hung up with a couple of nicknames but the ones that stuck were “M.J.” for his initials, "Air Jordan" and "His Airness". The names clearly suggest that Jordon would fly on the court. His fearless aggression and impenetrable defense are incomparable to anyone on the field till date. But what made the crowd go wild were his jaw-dropping slam dunks and lay ups. To this day, his air-time and running leaps cannot be matched to any other player in basketball history.
An injury to Michael Jordon took him out of action during the 1985/86 season but he returned again with full force. Though Michael himself had proved his mettle in the game, it wasn’t until 1988 when his club truly rose to the upper echelons of success. Air Jordon concentrated on improving his performances and soon became the first person in the NBA to top the steal and score list. Jordon was later named the MVP Defensive player of the year and also starred in the All-Star team yet again.
In 1992 and 1993, his club won two consecutive titles while bringing a total of three championships in Jordan’s professional career. To everybody’s surprise during the 1994 season, Michael decided to switch to baseball. However, the flying musketeer returned to the basketball court next season, rocking the world with his usual performances. He joined the Chicago Bulls again and clinched 3 more titles from 1996 to 1998. In 1999, Jordon retired yet again. However, the torpedo just couldn’t stay away from the sport that he lived for. He did make a comeback in 2001 but joined the Washington Wizards and finally retired in 2003.
He wasn’t the kind of introspective person. In fact, to date, Jordan partakes in a number of social causes by supporting the public at large. For these reasons, the Jordon-in-the-air is often considered to be an icon, a symbol of greatness. For these reasons, he is often linked as an ambassador for peace and harmony. He has even starred in the blockbuster hit ‘Space Jam’. He has a couple of brands to his credit as well. For instance, Nike has always backed Air Jordan as a brand name. To this day, Michael Jordan is loved by millions of adoring fans and his life gives inspiration to everyone.
Tags: