The Evolution of Michael Jordan

Start Slideshow

Air Jordan. His Airness. M.J. The GOAT. Whatever name you know him by, Michael Jordan is one of the best players in the history of basketball and is considered by many (including me) to be the greatest basketball player of all time.

His play on the court was jaw-dropping and his impact off the court was revolutionary in the business world. Much of his life was covered in the 10-part 2020 documentary The Last Dance, but there’s always more to tell.

Here is the evolution of Michael Jordan.

Previous Slide

Next Slide

2 / 25

Cut from the high school varsity team

Before Michael Jordan was dominating the NBA, he was cut from the varsity team at Laney High School in Wilmington, North Carolina in 1979. But during his final two years in high school, he was selected to the McDonald’s All-American team and accepted a scholarship to the University of North Carolina.

Previous Slide

Next Slide

3 / 25

1982 NCAA National Championship

University of North Carolina basketball player Michael Jordan shoots the winning basket in the 1982 NCAA Finals against Georgetown University.

While MJ was not the star of this team (that honor belonged to James Worthy), he did hit the shot during the 1982 NCAA National Championship game against the Georgetown Hoyas. And that officially put Jordan on the national map.

Previous Slide

Next Slide

4 / 25

1984 NBA Draft

Former North Carolina star, College Player of the Year and star of the US Olympic gold medal-winning basketball team, Michael Jordan holds up his Chicago Bulls jersey 9/12 at a news conference. Bulls General Manager Rod Thorn announced they have signed Jordan, their first-round draft pick, to a multi-million dollar contract which is expected to make him the third-highest paid in NBA history.

After three years in college, Jordan took his talents to the NBA where he was a part of the legendary 1985 NBA Draft class. He was taken third overall to the Chicago Bulls. Other Hall of Famers in the class included Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley and John Stockton. Jordan won the rookie of the year.

Previous Slide

Next Slide

5 / 25

Jordan 1/Nike

The birth of Air Jordan. The Jordan 1 was released at the beginning of his second year in the league in 1885 and was immediately a hit for sneaker and basketball lovers alike. It catapulted Nike to the pinnacle of shoe wear. Jordans to this day, are still the most popular sneaker of all time.

Previous Slide

Next Slide

6 / 25

63 Points

Chicago Bulls’ Michael Jordan drives past Celtics’ Danny Ainge and Bill Walton during 4th quarter action at Boston Garden. Jordan set an NBA playoff record by scoring 63 points. Despite Jordan’s contributions, the Celtics won 135-131 in double overtime.

Jordan sat out most of his sophomore season due to breaking his foot and missed 61 games but returned in time for the end of the season and the 1986 NBA playoffs. In the first round, they played the Boston Celtics and in Game 2 Jordan scored an NBA Playoff-record of 63 points. His Airness had officially arrived

Previous Slide

Next Slide

7 / 25

1988 Slam Dunk

In this Feb. 6, 1988, file photo, Chicago Bulls’ Michael Jordan dunks the ball during the Slam-Dunk championship in Chicago, as a part of the NBA All-Star weekend.

During the 1988 Slam Dunk competition in Chicago, Jordan and Dominique Wilkins put on a dunk show for the ages. Debuting the iconic Jordan 3, MJ took his second consecutive dunk contest win and one night later, he won All-Star game MVP.

Previous Slide

Next Slide

8 / 25

Bulls vs Pistons

Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls jumps to shoot a basket against the Detroit Pistons as Cliff Levingston #53 of the Bulls, Dennis Rodman #10 of the Pistons and Isiah Thomas #11 of the Pistons watch the shot at the Chicago Stadium during the 1991 NBA Playoffs in Chicago, Illinois.

Jordan just didn’t come into the league and start winning chips left and right. He had to go through the Bulls’ eastern conference rival, Detroit Pistons. They faced each other in three straight eastern conference finals from 1989 to 1991. The Pistons enforced their “Jordan Rules,” and the Bulls were not able to overcome them until 1991.

Previous Slide

Next Slide

9 / 25

First ring

Lakers Earvin Johnson tries to move past Chicagos Bulls Michael Jordan during the NBA finals in 1991.

Jordan’s first championship came against the Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers, the team of the 80s. It was a marquee matchup but the Bulls made easy work of them in five games and Jordan won his first championship.

Previous Slide

Next Slide

10 / 25

1992 Olympics

After repeating as world champs in the 1992 NBA Finals, Michael Jordan and his teammate, Scottie Pippen joined the 1992 Olympic basketball team in what was dubbed the “Dream Team.” They cruised to the Gold medal in Barcelona and won by an average margin of 44 points.

Previous Slide

Next Slide

11 / 25

First three-peat

Guard Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls goes up for two during Game Four of the NBA finals at the America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Bulls became the first team in NBA history to three-peat, beating Charles Barkley and the Phoenix Suns in six games in the 1993 NBA Finals, giving Jordan his third consecutive FInals MVP.

Previous Slide

Next Slide

12 / 25

Death of father

Michael’s father, James Jordan, who was a big influence on him, was killed in July 1993 while sleeping in his car on a highway in Lumberton, North Carolina. His body was missing for three weeks and was eventually found in South Carolina creek.

Previous Slide

Next Slide

13 / 25

First Retirement

Guard Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls announces his retirement during a press conference in Chicago, Illinois.

Before the 1993-1994 NBA Season, Jordan announced his retirement in a press conference filled with his teammates, coaches and NBA Commissioner David Stern.

Previous Slide

Next Slide

14 / 25

Minor league baseball

Michael Jordan #45 of the Birmingham Barons the Double A minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox sits on a camera case before a photo shoot circa 1994 at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama. Jordan played for the Barons from 1994-95.

Jordan signed to play baseball for the Chicago White Sox and played double-A for the Birmingham Barons, the White Sox minor league team.

Previous Slide

Next Slide

15 / 25

“I’m back”

Jordan announced that he would be returning to the Bulls in two-word fax: “I’m back.” He came back wearing 45, his baseball jersey number.

Previous Slide

Next Slide

16 / 25

Father’s Day championship

After being eliminated from the second round of the 1995 NBA playoffs to Shaquille O’Neal and the young Orlando Magic. Jordan and the Bulls came back with a vengeance during the 1995-1996 season winning a then NBA record 72 Regular season games. They won the 1996 Finals against the Seattle Supersonics on Father’s day, giving Jordan his fourth championship and fourth Finals MVP.

Previous Slide

Next Slide

17 / 25

Space Jam

Jordan alongside Bugs Bunny and the rest of the Looney Toons starred in the 1996 movie “Space Jam.” Despite the mixed reviews at the time, the movie is now considered a classic and one of the best sports movies of all time. DO you prefer the Lebron James remake?

Previous Slide

Next Slide

18 / 25

The Flu Game

In Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz, Jordan scored 33 points while being physically depleted. It will forever be known as the “The Flu Game.” The Bulls ended up repeating as champions, giving Jordan his fifth ring and fifth Finals MVP.

Previous Slide

Next Slide

19 / 25

The Last Dance

Before the season, it was agreed between Bulls General Manager Jerry Krause and Head Coach Phil Jackson that Jackson would not return as coach after the 1997-1998 season, despite any success they had. Jordan said he would not play for any other coach but Jackson. This set the stage for “The Last Dance.”

Previous Slide

Next Slide

20 / 25

Second three-peat

In his last game with the Bulls, Jordan hit a title-winning jumper in the 1998 NBA Finals. Cementing the Bulls’ sixth championship and second three-peat. Jordan collected his record sixth Finals MVP.

Previous Slide

Next Slide

21 / 25

Second retirement

The media are gathered on the floor of the basketball court as Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls announces his retirement from the NBA during a press conference at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.

In the second retirement in January 1999, Jordan says he is mentally exhausted and retires from the NBA a second time before the lockout-shortened 1999 NBA season.

Previous Slide

Next Slide

22 / 25

Return with the Wizards

Jordan then became a part-owner and team president of the Washington Wizards, where he famously selected Kwame Brown with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft. He couldn’t help himself and came back out of retirement (again), to suit up for the Wizards in the 2001-2002 NBA season. He played in 60 games.

Previous Slide

Next Slide

23 / 25

Third retirement (and final)

Michael Jordan of the Washington Wizards at his final home game press conference at the MCI Center on April 14th, 2003 in Washington, DC.

After his second year with the Washington Wizards, Jordan decided to retire for the third time in 2003 and this time, he stayed retired for good.

Previous Slide

Next Slide

24 / 25

Owner of the Charlotte Hornets

After being fired from his role as team president with the Wizards, he bought a minority stake with the then Charlotte Bobcats from BET founder Robert Johnson in 2006. In 2010, he bought majority ownership of the team, now known as the Charlotte Hornets, for $275 million. He became the first former NBA player to become a majority owner.

The Evolution of Michael Jordan

From basketball legend to fashion trendsetter to business mogul, Michael Jordan is still King.

Cut from the high school varsity team

Cut from the high school varsity team

1982 NCAA National Championship

1982 NCAA National Championship

1984 NBA Draft

1984 NBA Draft

Jordan 1/Nike

Jordan 1/Nike

63 Points

63 Points

1988 Slam Dunk

1988 Slam Dunk

Bulls vs Pistons

Bulls vs Pistons

First ring

First ring

1992 Olympics

1992 Olympics

First three-peat

First three-peat

Death of father

Death of father

First Retirement

First Retirement

Minor league baseball

Minor league baseball

“I’m back”

“I’m back”

Father’s Day championship

Father’s Day championship

Space Jam

Space Jam

The Flu Game

The Flu Game

The Last Dance

The Last Dance

Second three-peat

Second three-peat

Second retirement

Second retirement

Return with the Wizards

Return with the Wizards

Third retirement (and final)

Third retirement (and final)

Owner of the Charlotte Hornets

Owner of the Charlotte Hornets