Michael Jordan

In my eyes, Michael Jordan is the best basketball player of all time. There are many other people that would agree with me, even if they don’t like the Chicago Bulls or even Jordan himself, just because his achievements demand respect. Very few people have even come close to greatness the way Michael Jordan has, and few ever will. He is a major part of the NBA’s history. He has left a legacy that started before my time and will last long after.

Jordan achieved great things on the court. In 1982, he went to college at North Carolina and played in the NCAA. While he was only a freshman, he drained a 15-foot jump shot that won the Tar Heels the NCAA championship against Georgetown. That was the first time anyone paid attention to him. From then on, everyone knew who Michael Jordan was.

In 1984, he left UNC after his junior year to play in the NBA when the Chicago Bulls drafted him. He was the third pick of the first round. In 1985, he was named rookie of the year. In 1991 Michael Jordan won his first of six NBA championships. The next year he won a gold medal in the Barcelona Olympics. During the off season, he returned to UNC to finish his Bachelor of Arts degree.

Jordan's father was murdered during a robbery in 1993, and this tragic event partially led to Jordan's temporary retirement from basketball that same year. He tried baseball, which he stuck with until 1995 when he returned to the NBA. He played a part in the movie "Space Jam" during the off season of his first year back in the NBA.

In 1996, Jordan won his fourth championship and fourth NBA Finals MVP Trophy on Father's Day, which, to him, was a tribute to his own father. In 1997 Jordan won another back-to-back championship. Finally, to end his NBA career, he won a sixth NBA championship on a last second shot against the Utah Jazz in 1998.

He played guard for the Chicago Bulls for 13 seasons. During that time, he won many awards. Besides the six NBA championships and the Olympic Gold Medal, he also won two slam-dunk championships, 11 scoring championships and fourteen various Most Valuable Player awards.

These are just a few of the many true facts about Jordan. Michael Jeffrey Jordan was born on Feb. 17, 1963, in Brooklyn, N.Y. He grew up and went to high school there. His father was James Jordan and his mother was Deloris Jordan. Michael’s first part time job was at a hotel as a maintenance worker. Jordan’s shoe size is 13. One of his favorite movies is "The Matrix." Even though he was named the century’s greatest athlete, he can’t swim or ice skate. Jordan wore his North Carolina shorts under his Chicago Bulls shorts every professional game he played.

Michael Jordan gave it his all off the court as much as he did on. He helped many different people, in many different ways. In 1994 he started the James R. Jordan Boys and Girls Club and Family Life Center, named after his father. The Center, which is located in Chicago, Illinois, opened to the public in 1996 thanks to a $5 million donation from the Chicago Bulls and a $2 million contribution from Michael Jordan. Every week, 1,000 people come through the center's doors, from infants and toddlers to teenagers and senior citizens. There are a number of things to do there. Some go there to play pool, do their homework, play basketball, or just relax in a safe place.

Michael Jordan is my hero for many reasons. He was a great basketball player. In his busy schedule, he always found time to give back. He was not greedy with his money. He always worked hard at everything that he did. He was very determined and never gave up. He always found a way to triumph in any situation. He always found time to spend with his family. All of these things makes him one of the greatest heroes of all time.