As ESPN premieres the documentary series ‘The Last Dance,’ which chronicles Michael Jordan’s final championship, let’s take a nostalgic journey through the timeline of this legendary figure’s life and career. From his humble beginnings to his rise as a global icon, we’ll revisit the pivotal moments that defined Jordan’s legacy both on and off the basketball court. Join us as we celebrate the remarkable journey of a true legend.
Michael Jordan’s life and career are really turbulent. A basketball legend today, but in the past he was cut off from the school basketball team just because… not tall enough. As his career took off, Jordan was teased by fate again when his father died suddenly.
Not giving up, Michael Jordan brought his top-notch basketball to conquer all challenges. He was crowned NBA champion 6 times in 8 years with the Chicago Bulls and became many called the greatest player of all time – “GOAT, Greatest Of All Time”.
On the occasion of ‘The Last Dance’ documentary series premiered by ESPN about Michael Jordan’s final championship, let’s take a look at the full timeline of the legend’s life and career:
February 17, 1963: Michael Jeffrey Jordan was born in Brooklyn, New York. His father and mother are James Jordan and Deloris Jordan.
1979: Jordan had his first difficulty when he was cut from the basketball team at Laney High School, North Carolina. However, he did not give up.
1981: After two seasons at the high school level, Michael Jordan was named to the McDonald’s All-American National Team of the Year. He later accepted a scholarship to the University of North Carolina (UNC).
March 29, 1982: Michael Jordan’s first championship title came when he launched a game-winner, bringing UNC to the NCAA championship in front of Georgetown School.
October 29, 1985: The first serious injury occurs to Michael Jordan. He broke a bone in his foot against the Golden State Warriors and missed 61 games. However, Jordan still reappeared with the Chicago Bulls at the end of the season, ready to fight in the Playoffs.
April 20, 1986: Not letting injuries affect his form, Michael Jordan set a record when he scored 63 points in the Playoffs match against the Boston Celtics, the highest score in NBA history up to that time. However, this performance came in a loss.
April 16, 1987: Nearly a year after the Playoffs record, Michael Jordan scored 61 points in a match against the Atlanta Hawks to close a 3-game streak of averaging 54.7 points/game. This is also the season Jordan won the first NBA scoring king title in his career.
February 6, 1988: Michael Jordan defeats Dominique Wilkins at the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in Chicago, winning the title for the second year in a row. The very next day, MJ won his first All-Star Game MVP title.
May 25, 1988: Overcoming two heavyweights, Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics and Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers, Michael Jordan won the MVP – Best Player award.
Michael Jordan lifts his first career MVP title in 1988
May 7, 1989: Michael Jordan hits a game-winner to decide the Playoffs series between the Chicago Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers. This throw was named “The Shot”. However, the way to conquer the championship cup has not yet been successful for Jordan.
July 10, 1989: After firing coach Doug Collins, the Chicago Bulls signed coach Phil Jackson, the fourth captain during Michael Jordan’s time at this club.
June 5, 1991: The change finally paid off. Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls reached the first series of Finals to face the Los Angeles Lakers. This is where Jordan’s mid-air switch-over basket became legendary.
Chicago Bulls beat the Lakers thanks to the excellence of Michael Jordan and his teammates, MJ got the first championship in his career.
June 3, 1992: Michael Jordan throws in six 3-pointers in the first half to open the second consecutive NBA Finals series. He turned to the audience and gave a godly shrug before the Bulls beat the Portland Trail Blazers in six games to claim their second title.
Watch now: Six 3-pointers and Michael Jordan’s divine shrug
August 8, 1992: Michael Jordan and the “Dream Team” of the US team won the Olympic gold medal in Barcelona. MJ scored 22 points in the final match.
June 20, 1993: Michael Jordan scores 33 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists in the game that decided the 1993 NBA Finals series. However, it was his teammate, John Paxson who was the owner of the 3-pointer game- winner, bringing home a third championship trophy in three consecutive years for the Chicago Bulls.
August 3, 1993: Just flourished with his career, but Michael Jordan had to go through one of the darkest days of his life. After missing for 3 weeks, the body of Michael Jordan’s father was found in South Carolina.
October 6, 1993: Two months after the shock of his life, Michael Jordan announced his retirement for the first time due to “no longer interested in basketball”. However, he also said that there is a possibility of a return. competition. At this time, Jordan was only 30 years old.
Michael Jordan announced his retirement at a press conference in 1993
February 7, 1994: Jordan signs a contract to play professional baseball for the Chicago White Sox Club. Away from the basketball court, MJ wants to try his hand at baseball in memory of his late father who once guided him to this sport.
March 18, 1995: After leaving basketball for 17 months, Michael Jordan suddenly announced that he would return to the Chicago Bulls. The fax with only 2 words “I’m Back” was what caused a fever in the sports world at that time.
March 28, 1995: Confronting the New York Knicks at the “mecca” Madison Square Garden, Michael Jordan wore the number 45 shirt and scored 55 points in the opponent’s basket. This was the NBA record at that time by an opponent playing at MSG. However, this record was broken by the late legendary Kobe Bryant.
May 18, 1995: Michael Jordan’s belated return fails to be a miracle for the Chicago Bulls when they are defeated by Shaquille O’Neal’s Orlando Magic. This is the first Playoffs series since 1990 where Jordan plays the loser.
Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen swoon in disappointment at the Orlando Magic
April 21, 1996: “Revenge of the defeated” Chicago Bulls come to life. Along with Toni Kukoc, Scottie Pippen and rookie Dennis Rodman, Michael Jordan and his teammates beat the Washington Bullets 109-93 to win the 72nd game of the Regular Season.
This is a record 72-10 season with Jordan being the MVP of the tournament. It wasn’t until 2016 that the Golden State Warriors beat this record with 73 wins.
June 16, 1996: The Chicago Bulls close the entire Playoffs round with just three defeats, beating Gary Payton’s Seattle SuperSonics to become the NBA champion.
As the best player, Michael Jordan won his fourth NBA Finals MVP title and his fourth championship ring in six years.
The familiar image when celebrating the championship of Michael Jordan, “bathing” with champagne and sucking on a cigar
November 15, 1996: The basketball cartoon Space Jam officially hit theaters with Michael Jordan starring alongside animated characters like Bugs Bunny or the Looney Toons family. Although the film received mixed reviews, it still brought in the $230 million mark.
June 11, 1997: Michael Jordan made his mark with a “Flu Game”, where he was completely exhausted from illness but still scored 33 points in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
Three days later, Jordan and the Chicago Bulls defeated the Utah Jazz in Game 6. Michael himself scored 39 points to finish the opponent, becoming the 5th NBA champion in his career.
July 24, 1997: Turbulence appears on the board of Chicago Bulls. The team signed a one-year contract with coach Phil Jackson but warned that this would be his last season in charge of the club. Michael Jordan announced that he would not play for any coach other than Mr. Jackson.
This led to the Chicago Bulls collective calling the 1997-98 season “The Last Dance”. They allowed a team of reporters to capture every moment that happened throughout the season, and so far, ESPN has put it together for the release of the 10-hour documentary of the same name.
June 14, 1998: Michael Jordan throws one of the most “clutch” throws in history. Against the Utah Jazz in the NBA Finals, Jordan scored 43 points before eliminating Byron Russell and then successfully throwing from middle distance, bringing the victory and the 6th championship in 8 years for the Chicago Bulls.
Pocketing the sixth Finals MVP title in his career, winning the championship six times and going undefeated in the NBA Finals, Michael Jordan announced that he would retire from his career because he was “too mentally exhausted to play”.
A look back at Michael Jordan’s last throw for the Chicago Bulls, taking home his sixth career title:
September 25, 2001: Once again, Michael Jordan returns to basketball. This time, he no longer played for the Bulls but joined the Washington Wizards at the age of 39. Determined not to let his age affect him, Jordan averaged 22.9 points per game in 60 appearances in his first season back. .
March 16, 2003: After two seasons with the Washington Wizards, Michael Jordan plays the last game of his career and scores 15 points. This time, he officially retired and did not return to playing professional football again.
September 11, 2009: Michael Jordan is inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame. In his speech, Jordan left a very strong impression when he aimed directly at those who doubted him throughout his career. This is also where “Jordan Crying Meme”, the image of a tearful Michael Jordan was born.
March 17, 2010: Jordan acquires majority ownership of the Charlotte Bobcats Club (the forerunner of today’s Charlotte Hornets) for $275 million, becoming the first former NBA player to own an NBA team.
Thanks to being the owner of the Charlotte Hornets and bringing in huge revenue each year from the Jordan Brand brand, the legendary Michael Jordan became the first former NBA player to become a billionaire. Mr. Forbes’ fortune was estimated at more than $2.1 billion in 2014.
2016: Michael Jordan receives the Medal of Freedom from US President Barrack Obama, deepening the immortal legacy of one of the all-time greats.
