No one wanted to win more than Michael Jordan, and few ever did. When making the documentary Michael Jordan to the Max, former Chicago Bulls coach Doug Collins said that in order to beat Jordan in a playoff series, you'd literally have to chop off his arms and legs, and even then you still might lose. Jordan played with legendary intensity and renowned passion that often frustrated opponents so badly that they'd resort to hard fouls and malicious play just to slow Jordan down.
Jordan stepped into the basketball spotlight in 1982 during the NCAA National Championship game against Georgetown. His University of North Carolina Tar Heels had been riding his stellar play all tournament, and although just a freshman, they looked to him in the waning moments of the game. Down by a single point with 17 seconds left, Jordan hit a 15-foot jumper to give the Tar Heels a 63-62 lead and clinch the National Championship.
Jordan's stardom only grew after he was selected 3rd overall by the Chicago Bulls in the 1983-84 NBA draft where he immediately went on to win Rookie of the Year. Two years later, his mystique continued as he led the Bulls into the playoffs. In a series against the Boston Celtics, widely considered one of the best teams in NBA history, Jordan went into Boston Garden and embraced the hostile crowd. He lit up the Celtics for 63 points--something that had never happened in Celtics history--and although the game was lost, Jordan had permanently established himself as the star of the league.
In his seventh season in the NBA, Jordan finally won his first championship, averaging over 30 points per game during the playoffs. The Bulls repeated as champions the following season, and the season after that with Jordan leading the team in almost every statistical category, and leading the league in points scored each year. After taking a season off to try his hand at professional baseball, Jordan came back to the game more intelligent and mature. He didn't miss a beat, leading the Bulls to back-to-back-to-back titles in '96, '97, and '98 while providing incredible displays of athleticism, and talent along the way.
Aside from the titles, Jordan may be best known for his play
in crunch time.When the game was on the line and Jordan had the ball, the Bulls would end up winning more often then not. His clutch performances have become a thing of legend because of the way he stepped up when it mattered most. He made over 25 game-winning jumpers, and countless more crunch time buckets that changed that outcome of the game.
So it was fitting that for his final game in a Bulls uniform, a game six in the NBA finals against the Utah Jazz, Jordan had the ball in his hand while the clock ran down, trailing by one point. He made his move with about 9 seconds left, and as he crossed over Jazz guard Bryon Russell at the foul line and pulled up for a jumper, there was little doubt in anyone's mind that the shot would go in. And as if to close the book on a fairy-tale ending, Jordan sunk the shot and the Bulls won their 6th NBA title.
There never has, and probably never will be a player greater than Michael Jordan. He is a rare breed of athlete who combined elite athleticism and talent with supernatural intensity and focus. His drive, passion, and will to win are all but unmatchable. He scored at will, and made plays for his teammates. He was coachable and wasn't afraid of leadership responsibilities. And if there was ever a situation where the world would end unless someone made a jump-shot to save us from destruction, I would still call upon Michael Jordan to shoot it. And so he will continue to live on as the greatest basketball player who ever lived.
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