How many years did michael jordan play in the nba? Michael Jordan is still considered the greatest basketball player of all time. Despite LeBron James breaking the all-time scoring record, it is the Chicago Bulls legend who is still at the top.

Dethroning Jordan will be a tough challenge for James, even if has a few more years left in his tank. Not only did MJ go 6-0 in the NBA Finals, but he was also impressive from the moment he entered the league.

Jordan played 15 years, and this article will compare his stats from his rookie season to his last season.

Michael Jordan played 15 years in the NBA

In his first professional season, Jordan averaged 28.2 points per game on 51.5% shooting. He was also a fantastic all-around player, averaging 6.5 points and 5.9 assists.

Jordan was a beast on both ends of the floor. Besides his incredible scoring skills, the Bulls guard was a lockdown defender who averaged 2.4 steals and 0.8 blocks.

In his last season in the NBA, Jordan played for the Washington Wizards. He came out of his retirement for the second time to play two seasons for the Nation’s Capital from 2001-03. Jordan was no longer in his prime, but he was still amazing.

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Michael Jordan averaged 20.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 3.8 apg, 1.5 spg and 0.5 bpg in his final season. He made 44.5% of his shots and appeared in every single game of the 2002-03 season.

In the last year of his glorious basketball career, Michael Jordan was no longer one of the best players in the league. Still, he was great and did his best to help the Washington Wizards win games.

In the end, the Wizards were 37-45, four games behind the final playoff spot.

Jordan’s best game in his first and last NBA season

During his rookie season, Michael Jordan had seven 40-point games. However, his performance against the Atlanta Hawks was impeccable. The Chicago Bulls guard scored 45 points on 17-for-24 (70.8%) shooting.

Jordan also added eight rebounds, 10 assists and four blocks, helping the Bulls win by 13 points.

In his last season, the basketball legend had three 40-point games. His best game came just a few days after he turned 40 as he dropped 43 points on 18-for-30 (60.0%) shooting against the New Jersey Nets.

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Michael Jordan’s college career

Michael was recruited by the University of North Carolina, where he studied cultural geography. He won the 1982 NCAA tournament, scoring the winning shot in the final against Georgetown. Michael graduated in 1986, three years after being drafted into the NBA.

How many seasons did Michael Jordan play basketball?

If we start counting from his college career in 1981, Michael Jordan played 20 seasons of basketball. His playing career was only interrupted by his two retirements between 1993 and 1995 and 1998 -2001.

How many seasons did Michael Jordan play with the Bulls?

After the Bulls selected him in the 1983 draft, Michael played 15 consecutive years with the team before his first retirement in 1993. He made a comeback in 1995 and played three more seasons with the Bulls, making it 18 seasons and 6 NBA championships. He was also the NBA Rookie of the Year in his first season in the league.

How many scoring awards did Michael Jordan win?

Mike garnered a total of ten NBA scoring titles over his playing career. This remains a league record. Mike also has 3 NBA steals leader titles.

How many MVPs did Michael Jordan win?

Jordan was named the NBA’s regular season most-valuable player five times over his career. This feat is second only to Kareem Abdul Jabbar, who was named six times. The NBA renamed the award in honour of Jordan from the 2021-22 season.

Early Years of Michael Jordan’s NBA Career

His selection in the NBA Draft

In 1984, Michael Jordan began his NBA career after being selected as the third overall pick by the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Draft. His incredible college career at the University of North Carolina, where he won the NCAA national championship in 1982, had already made him a highly sought-after prospect. The Bulls’ decision to choose Jordan proved to be a turning point not only for the franchise but also for the league as a whole.

Improvement and growth in the first few years

From the moment Jordan stepped onto the court, it was clear that he was destined for greatness. His rookie season in 1984-1985 showcased his immense potential as he averaged an impressive 28.2 points per game and was awarded the NBA Rookie of the Year. Jordan’s scoring ability, athleticism, and competitive drive quickly made him a fan favorite and one of the most exciting players to watch.

Over the next few years, Jordan continued to refine his skills and mold himself into a complete player. His relentless work ethic and dedication to improving his weaknesses allowed him to dominate on both ends of the court. With each passing season, Jordan’s impact on the Bulls grew, and he became the driving force behind the team’s success.

Statistics from his early years

In his early NBA years, Jordan’s statistics were staggering. His scoring prowess was unparalleled as he regularly led the league in points per game. In the 1986-1987 season, he achieved a career-high average of 37.1 points, making him the league’s leading scorer. Jordan’s ability to impact the game extended beyond scoring, as he also averaged 6.3 rebounds and 5.5 assists during that season. His all-around game and basketball IQ were evident, solidifying his status as one of the greatest players of all time even in the early stages of his career.

Michael Jordan’s First Retirement from the NBA

Reasons for his first retirement

In a surprise move that shocked the basketball world, Michael Jordan announced his retirement from the NBA in 1993 following the tragic murder of his father. The loss had a profound impact on Jordan, leading him to reflect on his life and reassess his priorities. Additionally, the constant media scrutiny and public pressure had taken a toll on him, prompting him to step away from the basketball spotlight and seek solace in other endeavors.

His career in minor league baseball

During his first retirement, Jordan decided to pursue a childhood dream of his late father – to see his son play professional baseball. In 1994, he signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox organization. Jordan played for the Birmingham Barons, the Double-A affiliate of the White Sox, where he faced numerous challenges in transitioning from basketball to baseball. Although his baseball career did not reach the same heights as his basketball career, Jordan’s time in the minor leagues allowed him to step out of his comfort zone and gain valuable life experiences.

Impact of his departure on the NBA

Jordan’s departure from the NBA left a noticeable void that couldn’t be easily filled. As the league’s biggest star and a global icon, his absence was felt by fans, players, and organizations alike. Television ratings declined, ticket sales dropped, and the league faced a significant dip in popularity. It was clear that the NBA needed Jordan and his electrifying style of play to thrive. However, his retirement opened up opportunities for other players to step up and establish themselves as stars, a testament to the level of competition and talent within the league.

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