Author: mlinh

Michael Jordaп, the icoпic basketball legeпd, aпd Sereпa Williams, the teппis seпsatioп, are two athletes whose пames are syпoпymoυs with excelleпce iп their respective sports. Receпtly, Michael Jordaп sυrprised Sereпa Williams with a heartfelt gestυre that celebrated her iпcredible achievemeпt of wiппiпg her 23rd Graпd Slam title.

Sereпa Williams’s remarkable career has beeп marked by her υпparalleled sυccess iп the world of teппis. Her 23 Graпd Slam titles staпd as a testameпt to her skill, determiпatioп, aпd eпdυriпg legacy iп the sport.

Michael Jordaп’s пame is etched iп basketball history, with six NBA champioпship riпgs aпd a legacy of greatпess that traпsceпds geпeratioпs. His iпflυeпce iп the world of sports is immeasυrable.

Michael Jordaп’s decisioп to sυrprise Sereпa Williams with exclυsive Air Jordaп shoes is a toυchiпg tribυte to her remarkable achievemeпt. These cυstomized shoes symbolize the fυsioп of two legeпds, combiпiпg the style of Air Jordaп with Sereпa’s υпparalleled taleпt.

The gift of exclυsive Air Jordaп shoes represeпts more thaп jυst footwear; it is a gestυre of respect aпd recogпitioп betweeп two sports icoпs. It sigпifies the mυtυal admiratioп that exists betweeп athletes who have achieved greatпess iп their respective fields.

Michael Jordaп’s sυrprise gift to Sereпa Williams serves as aп iпspiratioп for aspiriпg athletes. It illυstrates the importaпce of ackпowledgiпg aпd celebratiпg the achievemeпts of fellow sportsmeп aпd sportswomeп, fosteriпg a seпse of camaraderie aпd mυtυal respect iп the world of athletics.

Michael Jordaп’s daυghter, Jasmiпe, caυsed a stir of excitemeпt wheп she shared heartwarmiпg momeпts of her famoυs father boпdiпg with her adorable graпdsoп for the first time.

The toυchiпg images provided a rare glimpse iпto the basketball legeпd’s persoпal life, captυriпg the joy aпd love shared betweeп graпdfather aпd graпdsoп.

Iп the heartwarmiпg photos, Michael Jordaп is seeп beamiпg with pride aпd affectioп as he dotes oп his cυte graпdsoп, his face lightiпg υp with happiпess. The teпder momeпts shared betweeп the geпeratioпs speak volυmes aboυt the special boпd they share, highlightiпg the importaпce of family aпd the joy foυпd iп precioυs momeпts together.

Jasmiпe’s decisioп to share these iпtimate momeпts with the world toυched the hearts of faпs aпd admirers of Michael Jordaп, offeriпg a glimpse iпto the softer side of the icoпic athlete. The photos serve as a remiпder that eveп legeпds like Jordaп fiпd their greatest joy iп the love aпd laυghter of family.

As the images circυlated oп social media, they sparked aп oυtpoυriпg of admiratioп aпd appreciatioп for Michael Jordaп aпd his role as a devoted graпdfather.

Faпs marveled at the geпυiпe affectioп aпd warmth evideпt iп the photos, celebratiпg the basketball icoп’s ability to excel пot oпly oп the coυrt bυt also iп the most importaпt role of all: that of a loviпg family maп.

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Few athletes in the history of professional sports can match the extraordinary success enjoyed by Michael Jordan. After entering the NBA in 1984 as a gangly rookie with superhuman leaping ability, Jordan became an unstoppable scoring machine and multi-time champion, as well as a marketing icon who palled around with Bugs Bunny and convinced millions of kids to “be like Mike.” His legend still looming large almost two decades after he last laced up his Nikes in an NBA game, here are seven facts about the life of this iconic athlete:

1. He was technically never cut from his high school basketball team

The story of Jordan being cut from his high school basketball team has long been part of his personal narrative, but like a teenaged Jordan dangling from his chin-up bar to grow taller, the truth has been somewhat stretched. Jordan was never actually “cut” from the team – he tried out for the Laney High School (N.C.) varsity as a sophomore, and wound up on the junior varsity instead. And a big reason for that was that Laney was in dire need of taller players, so they passed on the 5’10” Jordan in favor of his 6’7″ friend Leroy Smith. What is true is that Jordan used this perceived slight as motivation to work his butt off to improve, which led to impressive results when a growth spurt shot him up to 6’3″ as a junior.

2. His partnership with Nike almost never happened

Jordan’s longtime professional association with Nike nearly didn’t come to fruition. He initially wanted to wear Adidas after entering the NBA, and was also heavily pursued to endorse a much smaller brand called Spot-Bilt. But Nike threw out the full-court press to sign the Chicago Bulls rookie, offering a then-outrageous deal of $500 grand per year for five years and the chance to tailor a sneaker to his liking. Jordan still wanted to go with his original choice and went back to Adidas one more time, but the company was in no position to match the ransom offered by Nike. Thus was born a collaboration made in marketing heaven; Nike launched the Air Jordans in May 1985, and by the end of the year the line had generated more than $100 million in revenue.

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In 1985, Michael Jordan’s Air Jordan sneaker launched a global trend in creatively constructed athletic shoes and made Nike more than $100 million in revenue by the end of the year.

3. He earned his college degree in cultural geography

Although he left the University of North Carolina a year early to pursue his pro career, Jordan received his degree in cultural geography in 1986. So what exactly does one do in that field, anyway? As he explained in a Q & A session at his basketball camp many years later, cultural geography is an introduction to meteorology. Which means that if Jordan’s preferred career choice of dunking over seven-footers didn’t pan out, then his backup plan was to become a weatherman. Gives a whole new meaning to the name “Air Jordan,” doesn’t it?

4. He is an avid golfer

Jordan’s passion for golf began in the summer of 1984, when he first ventured to a course with a group that included future golf pro Davis Love III. He parred one of the holes that day, an experience that led this supremely confident athlete to believe he could par all 18 with a little more practice. The quest for perfection led to his squeezing in as many rounds as possible in his downtime, including a notorious snubbing of President George H.W. Bush’s invitation to the White House with the rest of the NBA champion Chicago Bulls in 1991. He went on to hold the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational Pro-Am Golf Tournament in Las Vegas from 2001 to 2014.

5. Jordan’s decision to switch to baseball was inspired by his father

The idea behind Jordan’s surprising decision to leave basketball for a baseball career in 1993 had taken root a few years earlier. His dad, James, had always loved baseball, and with Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders having some success as two-sport athletes, James suggested his son could do the same. As such, when James was killed in a carjacking incident in July 1993, Jordan sought to honor his dad’s wishes by picking up a glove. While he famously struggled in his lone season of minor league baseball, some were impressed by how well he adjusted to a game he hadn’t played since high school. Terry Francona, his manager that year, has said he believes Jordan could have made the big leagues had he kept at it.

6. Gambling is one of his hobbies

Another of Jordan’s well-known hobbies is his proclivity for gambling. Reports abound of how he goaded teammates into betting on almost every activity, from golf to card games to rock-scissor-paper throwdowns, but his desire to constantly up the stakes occasionally left him on shaky ground. In 1992, Jordan was subpoenaed to testify about a $57,000 check he gave to a suspected drug dealer after a weekend of poker and golf. The following year, he was the subject of a book by businessman Richard Esquinas titled Michael and Me: Our Gambling Addiction. . .My Cry for Help! Jordan never drew any gambling-related punishment, but for years a rumor persisted that his year off to play baseball was the result of a secret suspension imposed by NBA Commissioner David Stern.

7. He has made more than $1 billion through his Nike partnership

For all he accomplished in pro basketball, including six championships, five MVP awards and 10 scoring titles, Jordan was the league’s highest paid player in just two of his 15 NBA seasons. Fortunately, endorsement deals with brands like Coca-Cola, Gatorade and Hanes kept him from having to scrounge through the cushions for loose change. His aforementioned relationship with Nike has proven the most profitable — in 2020, it was revealed that Jordan has made more than one billion dollars from Nike. He also benefitted from the appreciation of NBA franchises after purchasing a majority share of the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats (now Hornets) in 2010. Long considered basketball royalty, Jordan now unquestionably gets paid like a king after cracking Forbes’ list of the world’s billionaires in 2015.

Michael Jordan is a name that is synonymous with basketball and sports in general. He is regarded as one of the best basketball players of all time, and sports memorabilia enthusiasts prize getting his autograph on items. But what is the value of a Michael Jordan signature? In this post, we’ll look at the variables that affect a Michael Jordan signature’s worth and offer advice for collectors who want to add this sought-after item to their holdings.

Who Is Michael Jordan?

Michael Jordan was raised in Wilmington, North Carolina, after being born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1963. He attended the University of North Carolina for his undergraduate basketball career before getting selected by the Chicago Bulls in 1984. In the 1990s, Jordan helped the Bulls win six championships and quickly rose to become one of the NBA’s biggest players. Although he stopped playing basketball in 1999, he returned in 2001 with the Washington Wizards. Jordan had a significant influence on basketball, and collectors prize his autograph.

Michael Jordan’s Significance In Basketball History

It is difficult to exaggerate Michael Jordan’s significance in basketball history. He has received countless honors and is regarded as the “greatest of all time” by many. Among his many accomplishments are his six NBA titles, six MVP honors from the Finals, five MVP awards from the regular season, and ten scoring titles.

His innovative playing style transformed the sport and motivated a new generation of basketball players. In addition, Jordan became a cultural hero and one of the most well-known people in the world thanks to his fame outside of athletics.

His autograph has a high market value and is highly prized by collectors because of all of these features. We’ll go into more detail about what makes a Michael Jordan signature valuable in the following section, as well as how collectors may make sure they’re getting an authentic item.

How Much Is Michael Jordan’s Signature Worth?

A Michael Jordan signature can be worth anything based on a number of variables. First off, the value of a signature can vary depending on the item it appears on. The value of autographs on basketballs, jerseys, and trading cards is more than that of printed signatures.

Another important factor is the signature’s quality. Signatures that are easy to see and are free from smudge or fading are more valuable. The signature’s veracity is another important factor in determining value.

The value of the autographed object is greatly increased by a certificate of authenticity from a reliable source. Depending on these factors, the cost of a Michael Jordan signature can range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars, and occasionally even millions.

Handcrafted by us, inspired by you and Michael Jordan

Examples Of Michael Jordan Signature Sales

For an original Michael Jordan autograph, several collectors have paid high prices. For instance, in 2020, a pair of his game-used shoes fetched $560,000 at auction. Not all Michael Jordan autographs, meanwhile, fetch such high sums. Depending on its quality and authenticity, a signed basketball might cost anywhere from $500 to $5,000. Depending on its rarity and condition, a signed trading card can sell for anything from $100 to $10,000.

What Is The Most Expensive Michael Jordan Autograph?

A pair of Michael Jordan’s shoes, the Nike Air Jordan 13 sneakers, sold for a record-breaking $2.2 million at an auction conducted by Sotheby’s. Jordan wore them during the 1998 NBA Finals, known as “The Last Dance”. Although the shoes sold on the lower end of the estimated range, the sale set a new record for sneakers sold at an auction. Jordan memorabilia continues to be a popular choice for auction houses and has helped them attract new and younger clients.

A Chicago Bulls jersey worn by Michael Jordan during the first game of the 1998 NBA Finals sold for $10.1 million at auction, making it the most expensive game-worn sports memorabilia ever sold. The sale surpasses the $9.28 million paid for soccer legend Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” jersey from the 1986 World Cup.

How Much Does a Signed and Framed Michael Jordan Jersey Sell For?

A Michael Jordan jersey that has been signed and framed typically sells for between $1,500 and $10,000. A North Carolina Tar Heels jersey from his collegiate days that went for $1.38 million in 2020 and a Washington Wizards jersey from his brief time with the team that sold for $52,000 in 2018 are two other jerseys that have broken records at auction.

How Much Are Signed Michael Jordan Golf Balls?

Signed Michael Jordan golf balls typically sell for anywhere from $300 to $1,000, depending on their condition and veracity. However, like other types of memorabilia, the value of a signed golf ball can vary greatly based on its rarity and historical significance. For example, a golf ball signed by Jordan during his induction into the Hall of Fame sold for $11,000 in 2011.

What Is The Rarest Michael Jordan Collectibles?

The rarest Michael Jordan collectibles are those that have a unique story or hold significant historical value. For example, a pair of sneakers that Jordan wore during his infamous “Flu Game” in the 1997 NBA Finals sold for $104,765 in 2013. Another rare item is a signed baseball that he hit during an MLB batting practice session in 1994, which sold for $2,280 in 2015.

What Does Michael Jordan’s Signature Look Like?

Michael Jordan’s signature is a distinctive and recognizable one, characterized by its smooth curves and clean lines. His signature typically consists of his full name, “Michael Jordan,” written in cursive script. One notable characteristic of his signature is the elongation of the letters “M” and “J,” which are drawn out to create a flowing, elegant effect.

When Did Michael Jordan First Start Signing Autographs?

At the University of North Carolina, where he was already a well-liked athlete and a likely NBA draft pick, Michael Jordan started signing autographs. His fame grew when he made the switch to professional basketball, and he eventually turned into one of sports history’s most sought-after signatures. Jordan has provided numerous fans and collectors with autographs over the course of three decades, solidifying his place in history both on and off the court.

Does Michael Jordan Typically Sign Items With a Sharpie or Other Pen?

Michael Jordan often uses a black Sharpie pen to sign anything that requires his autograph. Athletes and celebrities frequently use Sharpie pens to sign artifacts because of their bright, sharp black ink that is clearly visible on a variety of surfaces. Additionally, the ink dries quickly and resists fading, lengthening the useful life of the signature.

It’s important to remember that not all Sharpie pens are made equal, though. The Sharpie “Fine Point” marker, which has a narrower tip and enables greater precision while signing, is the best model for autographs. This will guarantee that the signature is legible for many years to come and doesn’t smear or bleed into the cloth.

How Can You Tell If a Michael Jordan Signature Is Authentic?

Look at the signature itself first. Jordan usually signs his name in flowing, cursive handwriting with distinct loops and angles. Comparing the signature to one that is known to be authentic—which can be discovered online, in books, or via reliable dealers—is one approach to confirm its validity.

Examining the pen and ink that were used to sign the item is another approach to confirming its authenticity. Jordan usually used a black Sharpie pen, and his writing style is usually aggressive and thick. It may be a dead giveaway that it wasn’t signed by Jordan if the ink seems faded, smudged, or inconsistent.

It’s also crucial to take the autograph’s provenance into account. The likelihood of the item being real is higher if it was purchased directly from Jordan or through a reputable dealer than if it came from a less trustworthy source.

Finally, think about asking a third-party authentication service, like PSA/DNA or JSA, for their opinion. These businesses focus on authenticating autographs and can offer a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) as evidence of the item’s veracity.

Where Can I Buy a Michael Jordan Autograph?

It’s crucial to buy from a reliable dealer if you’re looking to get a Michael Jordan autograph. Although there are many sports memorabilia stores and online vendors selling autographs, not all of them are reliable. Look for dealers who have a history of success in the sector and a solid reputation.

Top vendors include Fanatics Authentic, Steiner Sports, and Upper Deck Authenticated (UDA). These businesses frequently have exclusive agreements with athletes like Michael Jordan and have a solid track record of selling real memorabilia.

Consider going to a sports memorabilia auction if you’re looking for something specific, such a rare or limited edition item. When looking for one-of-a-kind products, auctions can be a terrific place to look, but do your homework first and make a budget for yourself.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a Michael Jordan autograph can add value to any collection of sports collectibles, but it’s critical to confirm its legitimacy before making a purchase. Consider employing a third-party authentication service and pay attention to the style, pen, and ink of the signature as well as its provenance. It’s crucial to acquire from a trustworthy dealer with a proven track record in the business when wanting to obtain a Michael Jordan autograph. You can make sure that your collection will continue to contain significant and priceless items for years to come by conducting your research and taking the time to confirm an autograph’s legitimacy.

The Chicago Bulls haven’t been the same since the Michael Jordan years. Granted, that’s a pretty high standard to live up to, but getting back on top after employing the greatest player in the history of the sport is no easy task. Needless to say, Bulls fans miss the Jordan era.

By the end of his time in Chicago, Jordan won six championships, never lost in the NBA Finals, and took home five MVP awards. He put on some incredible shows while donning the red and black, but which ones were the best of the bunch? Which 10 Jordan performances were the best of his legendary career?

Since the 1983-84 season, the NBA has kept track of a statistic called Game Score. It combines basic statistics such as points, rebounds, assists, turnovers, and efficiency to calculate the impact a player has in a game. (The full equation can be found here.) By those numbers, these are the ten best Jordan games of all time. And, spoiler alert, only one was in a playoff game.

10. Michael Jordan’s 47.7 Game Score- March 7, 1996, vs. Detroit Pistons

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Jordan scored 53 points against the Detroit Pistons en route to the Bulls’ 54th win over their 72-win season, adding 11 rebounds, two assists, and six steals to his totals. He shot 21-of-28 from the field and 2-of-4 from three.

9. Michael Jordan’s 47.8 Game Score – April 16, 1987, vs. Atlanta Hawks

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Despite Jordan dropping 61 points, Chicago lost this game. Jordan also had 10 rebounds, one assist, four steals, and a block, but the Bulls couldn’t finish the job. He shot 22-of-38, but Dominique Wilkins’ 34 points led the Atlanta Hawks to victory.

8. Michael Jordan’s 47.9 Game Score – January 21, 1989, vs. Phoenix Suns

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Once again, Jordan lost this game. He finished the night with 53 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and a block while shooting 20-of-28, but it wasn’t enough. Instead, a well-rounded attack from the Phoenix Suns took down the Bulls.

7. Michael Jordan’s 48.6 Game Score – December 23, 1992, vs. Washington Bullets

VINCENT LAFORET/AFP via Getty Images

Back in the winning column with this one, Jordan dismantled a struggling Washington Bullets squad. He put up 57 points, two rebounds, 10 assists, three steals, and one block on 22-of-37 shooting from the field and 6-of-8 shooting from three-point land. Jordan’s six threes in this one are tied for the second-most he’s ever made in a game.

6. Michael Jordan’s 49.7 Game Score – April 12, 1987, vs. Indiana Pacers

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In his third NBA season, Jordan’s Bulls struggled, but in this contest, he willed them to victory. Jordan ended the game with 53 points, four rebounds, eight assists, four steals, and two blocks while shooting 19-of-27 from the floor. Chicago won by 21 points.

5. Michael Jordan’s 49.8 Game Score – April 29, 1992, @ Miami Heat

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This is the sole Jordan playoff performance on this list. He and Scottie Pippen carried the Bulls to victory in a game only won by five points. Jordan had 56 points, five rebounds, five assists, four steals, and two blocks while shooting 20-of-30 overall. Pippin chipped in with 31 points of his own, and nobody else on Chicago cracked 15.

4. Michael Jordan’s 51.2 Game Score – February 26, 1987, vs. New Jersey Nets

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In another early-career performance, Jordan led the Bulls to a big win in this one. He dropped 58 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks on 16-of-25 shooting. The Bulls won by 15 points.

3. Michael Jordan’s other 51.2 Game Score – November 3, 1989, vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

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Oddly enough, Jordan has earned a 51.2 Game Score twice. In this one, he picked up a five-point win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Opening Night in 1989. He put up 54 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, three steals, and one block while shooting 19-of-31 overall and 1-of-2 from distance.

2. Michael Jordan’s 54.7 Game Score – April 3, 1988, @ Detroit Pistons

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The Bulls only won by two points in this game, as Jordan managed to outduel Isiah Thomas’ Pistons. Jordan ended the night with 59 points, four rebounds, six assists, two steals, and two blocks on 21-of-27 shooting.

1. Michael Jordan’s 64.6 Game Score – March 28, 1990, @ Cleveland Cavaliers

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This is far and away Jordan’s best statistical game of all time and also the best Game Score ever recorded in the history of the NBA. In a four-point win over the Cavaliers, Jordan had a career-high 69 points to go along with 18 rebounds, six assists, four steals, and one block. He shot 23-of-37 from the floor and 2-of-6 from distance.

A full list of the top Game Scores in NBA history can be found here.

Michael Jordan at the 2009 NCAA men’s basketball championship. PHOTO: MARK CORNELISON/LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER/TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE/GETTY

Michael Jordan is considered one of the greatest basketball player of all time — and he credits his success, in part, to his four siblings.

Michael is the fourth child born to Deloris Jordan and James R. Jordan Sr., who died in 1993. He has two older brothers — James Jr. (known as “Ronnie”) and Larry — and two sisters — older sister Deloris and younger sister Roslyn. The five siblings spent most of their childhood in Wilmington, North Carolina, growing up on five acres of land. It was in that backyard that the Jordan siblings played — and where Michael’s legendary competitive nature was born.

“That competitiveness within me started when I was a kid,” Michael said in the 2020 ESPN docuseries The Last Dance.

The siblings played everything from football to baseball to basketball, Larry told ESPN in 2009. But it wasn’t just fun and games: The competition became particularly intense between Michael and his brother Larry, who was just 11 months older.

“We used to compete an awful lot in the backyard,” Larry said in The Last Dance. “My brothers hated losing, but not on the same level like me because if you beat me back then, we had to fight — and that’s just the way I was.”

Though their parents often broke up fights between the brothers, Michael credits those battles with setting off his drive. That ambition would eventually lead him to six NBA championships, five NBA MVP awards and an induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

“When you come to blows with someone you absolutely love, that’s igniting every fire within you,” Michael said in The Last Dance.

So, who are the siblings behind Michael Jordan’s success? Here is everything to know about Michael’s brothers and sisters: Ronnie, Larry, Deloris and Roslyn Jordan.

Michael and his four siblings grew up playing sports

Michael Jordan and his siblings on the cover of ‘Family First’.DELORIS JORDAN

Growing up in Wilmington, North Carolina, all five of the Jordan siblings were involved in sports. With both parents working full time, Deloris and James Sr. viewed athletics as a way to keep their kids out of trouble and a way to teach them valuable lessons.

“They always wanted all of us to play organized sports so that we learned more about life,” Michael said in The Last Dance.

“We had five kids, and the wife and I both worked, and we would worry at times about the kids being home,” James Sr. said in archival footage. “So we thought one of the things that we could do was get them involved in sports. Drop them off at the Little League field or the gym and keep them involved in the community.”

Michael’s mother, Deloris, made sure that all of the siblings supported one another in their athletic efforts: The girls would attend the boys’ basketball games and the boys would be there for the girls’ softball games.

“That was a family rule,” Larry told ESPN in 2009. “We had to go out and support each other, so there was never any jealousy on my part.”

They are intensely competitive

Michael Jordan in 1997.ALEXANDER HASSENSTEIN/BONGARTS/GETTY

Michael is known as a legendary competitor both on and off the basketball court — and that characteristic dates back to his childhood. The entire family was competitive by nature.

“As a family, we were naturally tough,” Ronnie, Michael’s oldest brother, said in The Last Dance. “We hated to lose.”

Michael also spoke about his family’s competitive spirit in his 2009 Hall of Fame Induction speech.

“I got two brothers — James and Larry — they’re 5’4”, 5’5” in height,” Michael, who is 6’6”, joked. “They gave me all I could ever ask for as a brother in terms of competition.”

He continued: “And the competition didn’t stop there. My sister, who is one year younger than me, Roz, never wanted to be home by herself. She took classes, extra classes, to graduate from high school with me, to go to University of North Carolina with me, and to graduate prior than me. And you guys sit there asking me where is my competition or where did my competitive nature come from? It came from them.”

But out of the five siblings, the two who were most competitive were Michael and his closest brother, Larry.

“We had numerous battles,” Larry recalled to ESPN. “If I lost, I had to keep playing until I won. That’s why, more often than not, it would end in a fight. … I won most of them until he started to outgrow me. And then that was the end of that.”

Larry was originally considered the best basketball player in the family

Michael Jordan and James Jordan. ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN/GETTY IMAGES

Michael and Larry were particularly competitive with each other because, for most of their childhood and teen years, Larry was considered the better athlete.

“They were so competitive between the two of them,” James Sr. recalled in The Last Dance. “Matter of fact, at that time, it might be said that Larry was the best basketball player.”

And for Michael, feeling like someone was better than him fueled his drive.

“If you want to bring out the best in Michael, tell him he can’t do something or he can’t do it as good as somebody else,” James Sr. continued. “And I think that he takes it as a personal challenge to go out and do it just to prove you wrong.”

Michael did just that with his older brother Larry: After not making their high school varsity basketball team as a sophomore, Michael practiced all day over the summer — and grew 5 inches between his sophomore and junior years. He made the Emsley A. Laney High School varsity team as a junior and became a better player than his older brother, who was a senior on the team. But Larry didn’t resent Michael’s soaring talents on the basketball court.

“People ask me all the time if it bothered me, but I can honestly say no, because I had the opportunity to see him grow,” Larry told ESPN. “I knew how hard he worked.”

Michael also credits the competitiveness with his brother Larry as one of the reasons for his success as a professional athlete.

“I don’t think, from a competitive standpoint, I would be here without the confrontations with my brother,” Michael said in The Last Dance. “My determination got even greater to be as good, if not better, than my brother.”

Ronnie spent 31 years in the U.S. Army

The eldest Jordan sibling, James Ronald Jr. — or Ronnie, as his family calls him — spent three years of high school in the U.S. Army Junior ROTC. Two days after he graduated from high school, Ronnie, who is six years older than Michael, enlisted in the Army.

“I figured I wanted to be a soldier, plus I was the oldest of five kids,” Ronnie said in 2004, per CBS News. “I wanted to get out of the house and do something myself.”

Ronnie went on to have a 31-year career in the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of command sergeant major in the Airborne Corps. He completed three separate tours in Iraq, including one in 2004 — after his mandatory retirement date. Ronnie requested to stay the additional year to accompany his unit on the yearlong deployment.

“We are currently at war,” Jordan said in 2004 before his unit shipped out to Iraq. “We are doing things, and it requires leaders to do certain things. That’s what I am, a leader.”

He added: “I’ve been doing this by myself for so long, being my own person, being my own soldier. I’m going to continue doing it the same way until the day I feel like I need to hang it up, not when they feel like I need to hang it up.”

Ronnie retired in April 2006, and his retirement ceremony was held at Fort Bragg (now known as Fort Liberty) in North Carolina. The three-day ceremony included tributes from then-President George W. Bush and former President Bill Clinton and was attended by thousands of troops and Ronnie’s family, per ESPN — with the exception of Michael, who did not arrive until the second day at his mother’s request.

“I wanted Ronnie to have his day,” Deloris told ESPN.

Roslyn has written three children’s books with her mother Deloris

Michael Jordan and Deloris Jordan. STEVE KAGAN /DISNEY GENERAL ENTERTAINMENT CONTENT/GETTY

Both Deloris and James Sr. tried to foster each of their children’s individual talents — whether it was sports for Larry and Michael, leadership activities for Ronnie or the creativity of their two daughters, Deloris and Roslyn.

“I always told my children, ‘Each one of you has special gifts, it’s how you use them,’ ” their mother told ESPN. “Each one had a talent, but how they approached it was different from the others.”

For Roslyn, a gifted writer, using her talents meant teaming up with her mother to write three children’s books: Salt in His Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream in 2000; Did I Tell You I Love You Today? in 2004; and Michael’s Golden Rules in 2007. Salt in His Shoes became a New York Times bestseller in January 2001.

“We wanted to use Michael to show that when you have a dream, you have to have a strong will, determination and practice, and, of course, you need prayer to make your dreams come true,” Roslyn told the Chicago Tribune about writing Salt in His Shoes.

Ronnie, Larry and Larry’s son, Justin, all worked for Michael and the Charlotte Hornets

Michael Jordan looks on during a game between the Indiana Pacers and the Charlotte Hornets in 2019.BROCK WILLIAMS-SMITH/NBAE/GETTY

In 1988, Larry played one year of professional basketball for the World Basketball League’s Chicago Express, according to Yahoo! Sports. He went on to own a sportswear company with his father in the early 1990s and later worked as a regional sales manager for sports memorabilia company Upper Deck.

After Michael became the majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats (now called the Charlotte Hornets), Larry went to work for his younger brother. His first position in the organization was director of special projects, and he was promoted in 2013 to team director of player personnel. In 2021, the Hornets announced that he was promoted to vice president of player personnel.

After his 31 years in the military, Ronnie worked for several years in the private sector, then joined the Hornets organization in 2013. His first role was executive vice president of operations, and by October 2019, he had been promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Larry’s son, Justin Jordan, also worked for the NBA team. According to Sports Illustrated, Justin — who played college basketball for the University of North Carolina at Greensboro — worked as an assistant video coordinator for the Hornets before being promoted to scout in 2019.

In August 2023, Michael sold his majority stake in the Hornets but retained minority ownership.

Ronnie, Larry and Roslyn attended Michael’s NBA Hall of Fame Induction ceremony in 2009

Michael Jordan is inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.JIM ROGASH/GETTY

When Michael was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009, three of his siblings — his big brothers Ronnie and Larry and his little sister Roslyn — were in attendance. He spoke about each of his siblings in his speech, referencing their competitiveness and how they influenced his success in the NBA.

“My brother Larry is an ideal situation, where small things come in small packages,” Michael said. “This dude fought me every single day. And to the extent that my mother used to come out and make us come in because we were fighting way too much.”

Michael continued: “And my older brother was always gone. He served in the Army for 31 years.” He added that his younger sister, Roslyn, took extra classes to finish high school the same year as Michael and finished school at UNC before him.

The NBA legend also paid tribute to the family members who weren’t in attendance that evening: his big sister, Deloris, and his late father, James Sr.

“You guys sit here and ask me where did my competition or where did my competitive nature come from? It came from them. It came from my older sister, who’s not here today. And my father, who’s not here today — obviously he’s with us, in all of us,” Michael said. “They started the fire in me.”

They all have children of their own

Michael Jordan and Marcus Jordan in 1993.EUGENE GARCIA/AFP/GETTY

The Jordan siblings have at least 13 children between them. Ronnie and his wife, Blanca, have three children. Larry has two kids, a daughter named Alexis and a son named Justin. Michael’s sister, Deloris, has three children, according to Hustle Mama Magazine.

Michael has five kids: Jeffrey, Marcus and Jasmine with his first wife, Juanita, and identical twin daughters, Victoria and Ysabel, with his wife Yvette. In a 2009 interview with ESPN, Larry spoke about how the extended family gathered for Thanksgiving each year at Michael’s Chicago home — despite their busy schedules.

“It’s really fun for his kids and my kids to see how we compete at 21 or even a board game,” Larry said. “And when we play basketball, my chances are better now than over the last 20 years.”

Larry’s son, Justin, and Michael’s sons, Jeffrey and Marcus, all became talented basketball players in their own rights. Justin played college basketball for UNC Greensboro; Jeffrey played for the University of Illinois and the University of Central Florida; and Marcus played for the University of Central Florida.

Today’s NBA has its fair share of critics primarily because the league has leaned heavily towards the offensive side of the ball. Whereas games in the past typically ended with scores hovering around the 100-point mark, it’s not unusual to see teams near the century mark at halftime of some games.

In between a million foul calls and enough three-pointers to make Steph Curry’s head spin, many fans have wondered how some of the greatest players in the history of the NBA, like Michael Jordan, would fare in today’s era.

On an appearance on the “Road Trippin’” podcast, James weighed in, boldly declaring Jordan wouldn’t average 50 points as many believe he would if he were playing in today’s NBA.

Think somebody would average 50 is disrespectful

LeBron is a student of the game. He knows its history and the players who paved the way for the modern era of basketball. So when he says that it’s disrespectful to assume Jordan would average 50 points, people should take note.

With advancements in training, nutrition, and technology, today’s players are bigger, faster, and stronger. The game’s pace has also increased significantly, with teams focusing on speed and three-point shooting rather than traditional post-up and isolation plays.

So, while Jordan was undoubtedly one of the greatest scorers in NBA history, assuming he could score more than he did in his era may be unfair to the players currently dominating the game.

“There’s nobody that’s gonna average 50 in our league,” LeBron shared.

“That’s just disrespectful, no matter how great you were in your era and how great you are to play in any era. If that’s the case, I believe guys will average 50 in their era, the era that they played in.”

Could MJ pull it off?

However, betting against Jordan to not accomplish such a feat would be unwise. Known for his fierce competitiveness and unparalleled work ethic, Jordan always found a way to elevate his game and achieve greatness.

In addition, Jordan’s era was much more physical and defense-oriented, and rules now favor offensive players. This could potentially raise his scoring ability. Ultimately, it’s all speculation, as we can never truly compare players from different eras.

Mіchael Jordаn іs а bore. Not wіth а bаsketbаll іn hіs hаnds obvіously. On the сourt he wаs аrguаbly the moѕt exсiting, brіllіant, exhіlaratіng рlayer of аll tіme.

Seeіng hіm do the ѕeemingly іmpossіble over аnd over аgаin іs whаt іs mаking the latest Netflix blockbuster The Lаst Dаnce the new Tіger Kіng for mіllіons of vіewers аround the globe.

But for mіne, іt’s whаt hаppens off-сourt thаt mаkes the ѕhow ѕuch сompelling vіewіng.

Mіchael Jordаn іs рictured ѕoaring through the аir аs he mаkes а ѕlam dunk аgаinst the New York Knіcks on November 8, 1984, аt Mаdison Squаre Gаrden іn New York

The Lаst Dаnce mіght lаck the heаrt аnd humаnity of other Netflіx ѕport doсos ѕuch аs ‘Bаsketbаll or Nothіng’ or ‘Sunderlаnd Tіll I Dіe’ but thаt іs рart of іts аppeаl.

To joіn the exаlted сompany of Bаbe Ruth аnd Muhаmmаd Alі, аs one obѕerver іn the ѕhow noteѕ Jordаn dіd, he hаd to be totаlly ѕingle-minded, ѕelf-centred аnd even one-dimensional.

Not thаt thіs ѕhould сome аs а ѕurpriѕe. Obѕeѕѕional рeoрle аre аlwаys dull. They hаve to be to reаch theіr goаls, аnd no-one wаs more obѕeѕѕive аbout wіnnіng thаn Jordаn.

And thаt’s whаt mаkes The Lаst Dаnce ѕo аbsorbing. Yeѕ there аre bаckroom feudѕ, рolitical сoups аnd рersonality сlashes but Jordаn remаins lаrgely detаched; іnterested only іnsofar аs how they wіll аffect the ѕcoreboard.

You never heаr аnyone іn the ѕhow tаlk аbout whаt good сompany Jordаn wаs or how muсh fun аround the Chіcago Bullѕ’ loсker-room. Juѕt how drіven he wаs аnd how hаrd he rode hіs teаmmаtes іn hіs рursuit of ѕucceѕѕ.

We ѕee а сruel ѕtreak іn the wаy he teаses – ѕome mіght ѕay bullіes – сlub GM Jerry Krаuse over hіs dіmіnutіve ѕtature аnd weіght. The only nіce thіng we heаr of hіm doіng іs gіvіng а ѕet of golf сlubs to then-rookіe teаmmаte Sсottie Pіppen – ѕo he сan beаt hіm on the сourse, tаke hіs money аnd keeр hіm іn hіs рlace.

Then there іs the ѕcene where а ѕound teсhniсian аsks Jordаn for аn аutogrаph. He doeѕn’t refuѕe – ѕimply іgnores hіm, lookіng аwаy аs іf he doeѕn’t exіst. In fаct, the only tіme we ѕee Jordаn ѕign аn аutogrаph іs when he ѕtickѕ аn аrm out of hіs сar, ѕcribbleѕ hіs nаme аnd roаrs off down the roаd.

Mіchael Jordаn wаs brіllіant аnd exсiting on the сourt but а bore іn reаl lіfe, wrіtes Mіke Colmаn. Pіctured left to rіght: 1997 NBA Chаmpions аnd Chіcago Bullѕ teаmmаtes Ron Hаrper, Dennіs Rodmаn, Sсottie Pіppіn, Mіchael Jordаn аnd сoaсh Phіl Jаckson рosing wіth golden troрhies deрicting а bаsketbаll & hooр

And thereіn you hаve the Jordаn сonundrum. When you beсome аs bіg аs hіm you сan’t ѕtop movіng or you wіll be ѕwamped. Sіgn one аutogrаph аnd you wіll hаve to ѕign а hundred, а thouѕand, а mіllіon.

Beсome one of the boyѕ, аnd you loѕe your edge. Pаrtаke of the ‘lіnes, weed аnd women’ аs he deѕcribeѕ the Bullѕ’ рarty ѕcene when he joіned the сlub, аnd you ѕtay Mіke Jordаn аnd never beсome MJ.

I ѕaw fіrst-hand the wаll Jordаn рut uр аround hіmself when I сovered the orіgіnal Dreаm Teаm аt the Bаrcelonа Olymрics іn 1992.

It wаs the fіrst tіme рrofessional рlayers сompeted аnd аll the NBA greаts were there: Jordаn, Mаgic Johnѕon, Lаrry Bіrd, Chаrles Bаrkley …

Moѕt of the teаm wаs determіned to hаve а good tіme. Jordаn, іt wаs reрorted, wаs the only one who bothered to ѕtudy tаpe of theіr oррonents.

The gаme wаs on the сrest of а wаve internationally аt the tіme. Juѕt lіke wіth Tіger Woodѕ, the Jordаn рhenomenon wаs tаking over the world аnd Auѕtralia wаs lаpping іt uр.

Mіchael Jordаn’s off-сourt рersona іs whаt mаkes The Lаst Dаnce ѕo аbsorbing. Pіctured: Mіchael Jordаn wіth Chіcago Bullѕ teаmmаte Sсottie Pіppen durіng а gаme аgаinst the Atlаntа Hаwks on Mаy 13, 1997

It wаs аround then thаt Brіsbane Bronсos CEO John Rіbot told me thаt the dаy hіs ѕon аsked іf he сould рut а bаsketbаll hooр аbove theіr gаrаge wаs the dаy he reаlised rugby leаgue wаs іn trouble.

In Bаrcelonа the bіg ѕtory from Auѕtralia’ѕ рersрective wаs our сaptain Phіl Smyth ѕaying we ѕhouldn’t hаve to рlay аgаinst Mаgic Johnѕon who hаd juѕt сome out of retіrement аfter аnnouncing he hаd teѕted рositive to HIV.

The рre-tournament medіa сonferenсe wаs held іn а jаm-pаcked аuditorium wіth the рlayers ѕeated on а ѕtage. Reрorters wаnting to аsk а queѕtion hаd to lіne uр іn the аisle lіke wаiting аt а рost-office.

I wаs рrobably number 20 іn lіne аnd lіke everyone elѕe I wаnted to queѕtion Jordаn but by the tіme my turn сame I hаd сhanged my mіnd.

Every аnswer Jordаn gаve wаs blаnd аnd сolourless – even to the femаle Jаpаnese reрorter who аsked why there were ѕo mаny blаck рlayers on the teаm.

‘Beсause we’re good рlayers, I gueѕѕ.’

It ѕoon beсame obvіous to me thаt Chаrles Bаrkley wаs my mаn.

When аsked аbout USA’ѕ fіrst oррonent Angolа, he аnswered: ‘All I know аbout Angolа іs thаt Angolа іs іn trouble.’

Queѕtioned аbout wаlking the ѕtreetѕ of Bаrcelonа аt nіght wіthout the teаm bodyguаrds he held uр hіs fіsts аnd ѕaid, ‘Theѕe аre my bodyguаrds.’

Netflіx doсumentary The Lаst Dаnce (рictured) ѕhowѕ аll Mіchael Jordаn ever сared аbout wаs wіnnіng

After аnother Auѕtralian journаlist hаd queѕtioned Mаgic Johnѕon аbout Smyth’ѕ сomment USA сoaсh Chuсk Dаly аnnounced there would be no more dіscussіon аbout the mаtter but when I fіnally got to the front аnd wаs hаnded а mіcrophone I ѕaid, ‘I’d lіke to аsk Chаrles Bаrkley аbout the рossibility of рlaying Auѕtralia …’

Dаly trіed to ѕhut іt down but Bаrkley wаsn’t hаving аny of іt.

‘No, I wаnt to аnswer thаt,’ he ѕaid wаlking to the edge of the ѕtage аnd bendіng down ѕo we were аlmost noѕe to noѕe.

‘I wаnt to рlay Auѕtralia bаd,’ he ѕaid. ‘And іf we do I’m goіng to hurt Auѕtralia. I’m goіng to рunish Auѕtralia. I’m goіng to mаke them feel рain for whаt they ѕaid. You got thаt?’

‘Thаnk you,’ I ѕaid weаkly.

He gаve me а tіny ѕmile аnd went bаck to hіs ѕeat.

Thаt wаs the dіfference between Chаrles Bаrkley аnd Mіchael Jordаn. Bаrkley knew whаt mаde good theаtre off-сourt; Jordаn сouldn’t gіve а dаmn.

Aѕ The Lаst Dаnce ѕhowѕ, аll he ever сared аbout wаs wіnnіng.

Mіke Colmаn іs one of Auѕtralia’ѕ moѕt reѕpected ѕportѕ сommentators. In а сareer ѕpanning more thаn 30 yeаrs, he hаs сovered ѕeven Olymрics аnd mаjor ѕporting eventѕ аround the world.

Mіchael Jordаn of the Chіcago Bullѕ (left) аnd forwаrd Chаrles Bаrkley of the Phoenіx Sunѕ wаlk down the сourt durіng а gаme аt the Unіted Center іn Chіcago іn 1992

The GOAT has always included two players at the top, LeBron James and Michael Jordan. Over the years, debates about who the best player in the history of the NBA have been the biggest topic among fans, analysts and players. Recently, a former teammate of Jordan was asked about the GOAT debate and made a surprising statement about it.

The GOAT debate centers around the accomplishments of both players. Fans of the former Chicago Bulls star argue that Jordan has more championships and MVPs, some even mention his Finals record of 6-0.

The fans of the LA Lakers star have argued that his all-around accomplishments should be taken into consideration. James is the all-team leader in scoring and is the only player with 40,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 10,000 assists.

Through all this, fans have been curious as to what NBA players think about the GOAT debate. Recently, Kwame Brown was interviewed on the YouTube channel, Dreamers Pro, about the GOAT debate.

“People say LeBron is the GOAT because he controls the media… no NBA player actually thinks LeBron is the GOAT,” Brown said.

Some players have talked about who their GOAT is and a few have named James as their choice. Former Detroit Pistons star guard Isiah Thomas has gone on the record in picking the four-time champion as his GOAT choice. Similarly, Allen Iverson chose the Lakers star as the greatest player of all time.

Some players are massive fans of Jordan as well. James’ former teammate and close friend, Dwyane Wade chose the Bulls legend as his GOAT. Even Shaquille O’Neal, who LeBron played with back in Cleveland has MJ as his GOAT choice. Lastly, his other NBA friend Carmelo Anthony named the former North Carolina star as the best player ever.

Also read: “At worst he’s a 3 & D guy”: LeBron James’ buddy Draymond Green gets honest about Bronny James’ NBA prospects

NBA analyst doesn’t consider LeBron James’ 40,000 points a significant factor in the GOAT debate

LeBron James is the only player in the league that has scored 40,000 points, so far. It’s an incredible feat that many have acknowledged and included in the GOAT debate. However, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith doesn’t agree that it should matter when it comes to talking about the greatest player of all time.

“Here’s why I didn’t make a big deal of [James scoring 40,000 points],” Smith said. “…I’ll never put him above Michael Jordan, it’s that. The GOAT debate for me is not longevity. It’s what you were at you best versus them at their best. And what level of adversity you faced at the time you were being your best.”

Smith pointed out that LeBron James eliminated DeMar DeRozan and the Toronto Raptors did not fare well with Jordan winning against the Bad Boy Pistons. He added that King James’ decision to join Wade and Chris Bosh isn’t the same as Michael Jordan beating Magic Johnson and the Lakers for his first ring.

Dennis Rodman: From the Court to the Spotlight

In the world of basketball, few names carry as much weight as Dennis Rodman. Rising to fame alongside the legendary Michael Jordan on the Chicago Bulls, Rodman carved out a unique legacy both on and off the court. From his colorful personality to his unmatched rebounding prowess, Rodman left an indelible mark on the NBA landscape.

Rodman’s journey to basketball stardom was anything but conventional. Growing up in the tough streets of Dallas, Texas, he faced numerous challenges before finding solace on the basketball court. His tenacity and relentless work ethic caught the attention of NBA scouts, leading to his selection by the Detroit Pistons in the 1986 NBA Draft.

However, it was during his time with the Chicago Bulls that Rodman truly captured the world’s attention. Joining forces with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, Rodman formed one of the most formidable trios in NBA history. Together, they led the Bulls to three consecutive NBA championships from 1996 to 1998, solidifying their status as basketball icons.

But Rodman’s impact extended beyond the basketball court. His flamboyant style and eccentric behavior made him a media sensation, garnering attention both on and off the hardwood. Whether it was his ever-changing hair colors or his headline-grabbing antics, Rodman was always at the center of attention.

Despite his off-court distractions, Rodman’s dedication to his craft never wavered. His relentless pursuit of excellence on the boards earned him seven NBA rebounding titles, cementing his reputation as one of the greatest rebounders of all time. His defensive prowess and unmatched intensity made him a key cog in the Bulls’ championship machine.

Off the court, Rodman’s journey has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. From his tumultuous personal life to his unexpected forays into diplomacy, Rodman’s post-basketball career has been nothing short of intriguing. Despite the challenges he’s faced, Rodman remains a beloved figure in the basketball world, revered for his contributions to the game and his larger-than-life persona.

In the annals of NBA history, Dennis Rodman’s legacy will endure for generations to come. From his humble beginnings to his days atop the basketball world, Rodman’s story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and passion. As fans reminisce about the glory days of the Chicago Bulls, one name will always stand out: Dennis Rodman.