michael jordan success story in brief. The most famous NBA basketball player

11.10.201927.05.2017

Michael Jeffrey Jordan is an American professional basketball player born February 17, 1963. Controlling shareholder basketball club Charlotte Bobcats. Michael is considered the greatest player in NBA history. Jordan was one of the best athletes in the US, played important role in popularizing basketball in the 1980s and 1990s.

After a distinguished career with North Carolina College, Michael was selected fourth overall by the Chicago Bulls in 1984. Michael quickly became a league star and a crowd favorite. He is known for his amazing jumping, as evidenced by his overhead throw from the free line at the Slam Dunk Contest.

For his jumping ability, he received the nicknames "Air Jordan" and "His Air". Over the years of his career, Michael has earned a reputation as one of the best defensemen in the history of the league.

In 1991, Michael won his first championship title, in the 1992 and 1993 season he repeated this achievement. At the beginning of the 1993-94 season, Michael retired from basketball and began his career as a baseball player, as his late father wanted.

But he returned in 1994-95 and helped the Bulls to three more titles (1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98). He also led the Bulls to a fantastic record in 1995-96, in which the Bulls of 82 games regular season won 72. This record has not been broken to this day.

In 1999, Michael ended his career for the second time. But two years later he returned to the NBA. From 2001 to 2003, Michael defended the colors of "Washington".

Jordan has received many awards throughout his career:
-6-time NBA champion (1991-1993,1996-1968)
-5 times MVP(1988,1991-92,1996,1998)
-14 times participated in the "All-Star Games" (1985-1993, 1996-1998, 2002-2003)
- 6x Finals MVP (1991-1993, 1996-1998)
-10-time points leader in a season (1987-1993, 1996-1998)
-3-time leader in the number of interceptions per season (1988, 1990, 1993)
-Best defensive player (1988)
-10 times included in the first symbolic team of the NBA (1987-1993, 1996-1998)
-1 time included in the second symbolic team of the NBA (1985)
- Nine All-NBA All-Defensive Team Members (1988-1993, 1996-1998)
- Rookie of the Year (1985)
- Entered the first symbolic team of beginners (1985)
-3-time All-Star Game MVP (1988, 1996, 1998)
-2 winner of Slam Dunk Contests (1987–1988)
- Entered the top 50 best basketball players in the history of the NBA
Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls secure #23 for Michael Jordan
-NCAA Champion (1982)
-2 times NCAA All-Star All-Star Team (1983-1984)
-ACC Player of the Year (1984)
-Won the Oscar Robertson Award (1984)
-Was awarded the Naismith Prize as best player year among students (1984)
-Won the John Wooden Prize (1984)
-Was awarded the Adolf Rapp Prize (1984)

early years

In the summer of 1981, Michael Jordan entered the University of North Carolina, which provided him with an athletic scholarship. He chose geography as his main subject. Jordan's roommate was Buzz Peterson, a talented local basketball player whom Michael knew well from high school championship games. The University of North Carolina Tar Heels basketball team, under the leadership of Dean Smith, was one of the strongest in the United States, they played six times in the Final Four of the NCAA collegiate championship, and reached the final of the championship in the 1980-81 season. The team had a great lineup, in addition to Jordan, future NBA stars Sam Perkins and James Worthy. Coach Dean Smith has always relied on team game in which even the most stellar player had to sacrifice his own personality for the success of the team.

Jordan was initially nervous in a new environment for himself, in a team where his partners were players of a much higher level compared to the school. Smith began to play Michael as a shooting guard with an emphasis on defense, which was unusual for Jordan, who was used to playing an attacking forward. Nevertheless, Michael quickly settled into his new role, performing well in practice games, and at the start of the 1981-82 season, Smith put Jordan in the starting five.

The Tar Heels finished the 1981/1982 regular season in first place in the Atlantic Coast Conference with 32 wins and 2 losses. Jordan averaged 13.4 points per game and was recognized Best Rookie conferences. North Carolina defeated strong team The University of Houston, which featured Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, reached the final against Georgetown University with powerful center Patrick Ewing in the lineup. Jordan became the protagonist of the finale when equal game in the last minutes of the match, he twice led his team forward, and his last jump shot brought victory points and the championship title to the University of North Carolina. Jordan later described the shot as a major turning point in his basketball career.

In three seasons at the University of North Carolina, Jordan averaged 17.7 points per game on 54.0% shooting and 5.0 rebounds per game. Michael was selected to the NCCA All-American First Team in his first (1983) and second (1984) seasons. After winning the Naismith award and Player of the Year in 1984, Jordan left the University of North Carolina a year before his scheduled graduation to enter the 1984 NBA draft. The Chicago Bulls selected Michael 3rd overall in the draft. Jordan later returned to the University of North Carolina to complete his degree in 1986.

Professional career

In his first season, Michael played 82 games, averaging 28.2 points on 51.5% shooting. Michael quickly became a favorite of the public, and not only in his native Chicago. A little more than the beginning of his career, Jordan appeared on the cover of the reputable sports magazine Sports Illustrated with the headline "The Birth of a Star."

In his first season, Jordan took part in " Match of all stars." Information has appeared in the press that several NBA stars, led by Azea Thomas, are unhappy with how much attention is riveted to Michael Jordan. This led to Michael being "ignored" when the players didn't pass to Michael for the entire match.

The Bulls finished the season 38-44, qualifying them for the playoffs, where they lost to the Stags in four games.

At the beginning of the 1985-86 season, after Michael Jordan broke his leg, and the fracture was very severe, many began to believe that perhaps this could greatly undermine his career to the point that he could not be rehabilitated, but Michael was lucky , the correct merging characteristic of a young body and a well-chosen set of exercises restored it literally to the 1st season of the same season, many did not know what to expect from a player who had suffered such a serious injury, but they were hopeful that the player who had introduced a new understanding of their basketball in the season before will not let you down, and their hopes were justified, Michael did not just start playing well right away, he began to show exactly what was invested in him from birth, in the second game of the first round of the PO he broke the Baylor record and scored 63 points, the same 63 points that known to every basketball fan and not only, in 1990 he himself broke his record by scoring 69 points, once again raising the bar to an unrealistic level that superstars cannot overcome even today, in fact, the moral of everything that happened with Jordan is that even if you and received such severe damage, you will still become who you are destined to become, in his case, the Great.

You can see this match at this topic

Despite Michael's crazy game, the Celts still won. The series ended with the victory of "Boston" in three matches.

In the 1986-87 season, Michael fully recovered from his injury. He became the most productive player (gained 37.1 points each). Jordan also demonstrated skills in defense. Michael became the first player in NBA history to record 200 steals and 100 blocks in a season. Despite the excellent performance of Michael MVP still became Magic Johnson. The Bulls won 40 of 82 games and made the playoffs for the third year in a row, where they again lost to Boston.

The stumbling block in the face of the Pistons

In the 1987-88 season, Michael averaged 35 points, 1.6 blocks, 3.16 steals. For the first time in his career, Jordan received the MVP of the season award. The Bulls finished the season at 50:32. In the playoffs, the "bulls" met with "Cleveland", and won in five matches (3:2). In the second round, they faced the Pistons, who were led by Isaiah Thomas, at that time in Detroit, a group of players called the Bad Boys, who were led by Dennis Rodman, played. The Bulls were defeated in five matches.

In the 1988-89 season, Michael averaged 32.5 points (53.8%), 8 rebounds and 8 assists. The season ended with three fewer wins than last season. In the first round, the bulls again met with the Cavaliers. The series was stubborn. Everything was decided in the fifth match. There were three seconds left in the match, the Bulls were losing one point, Michael got the ball, and threw the decisive shot in the series through Craig Ehlo. Such shots should be recorded in basketball textbooks.

This match can be downloaded this topic.

In the second round, the "bulls" in 6 meetings won a series victory (4:2) over the Knicks led by Patrick Ewing.

But in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Bulls again lost to the Pistons. The tactics of the game against Jordan brought success. The tactic was that as soon as Michael received the ball, 2-3 players immediately went to him.

In the 1989-90 season, the team strengthened well, Horace Grant and Scotty Pippen came to help Michael, as well as coach Phil Jackson. Jordan averaged 33.6 points (52.6%), 6.9 rebounds and 6.3 assists per season. Michael's excellent performance contributed to 55 wins out of 82. In the first two rounds, the Bulls defeated the Stags and 76ers, and again, in the Eastern Conference Finals, they lost to Detroit in seven games. In the final, the Pistons defeated the Portland.

First three championships

In the 1990-91 season, Michael won the MVP title for the second time, averaging 31.5 points (53.9%), 6 rebounds and 5.5 assists per season. The Bulls finished the regular season in first place in the Eastern Conference for the first time in 16 years. Pippen's progress helped the Bulls to 61 wins in the regular season. The Bulls defeated the Knicks and Philadelphia in the first two rounds. They advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals, where Detroit awaited them. However, this time the "bulls" defeated the "Pistons". In the fourth final match, a minute before the end of the game, when the victory of the Bulls was obvious, Isaiah Thomas led his team into the locker room, many of the Detroit players did not even shake hands with the winners.

During the playoffs, the bulls scored great shape, of the 17 games played before the Finals, they won 15. In the Finals, the Bulls defeated the Lakers in four games. The most beautiful moment of the series was Jordan's throw.

In the final, Michael averaged 31.2 points (56%), 11.4 assists, 6.6 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 1.4 blocks. Michael won his first championship ring and also became the MVP of the finals.

Michael helped the Bulls set a team record in 1991-92, leading the Bulls to a 67-15 record. For the second year in a row, Michael earned the MVP of the season award, averaging 30.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 6.1 assists, while shooting 52%. In the first round, the Bulls narrowly defeated the Knicks, led by Patrick Ewing, in seven games. In the second, they defeated the Cavs. In the final, they faced Clyde Drexler's Portland. In the first half of the first match, Michael scored 35 points, and scored 6 3-point shots.

The Bulls defeated Portland in six games. MVP was named Michael Jordan for the second year in a row. During the final series, Michael averaged 35.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 6.5 assists on 53% of hits. Michael led the Bulls to a second championship.

In the 1992-93 season, despite Michael's excellent game (32.6 points per game, 6.7 rebounds), Michael's friend Charles Barkley received the MVP title. Coincidentally, Michael faced Barkley in the final.

The Bulls took their third consecutive championship thanks to Paxton's game-winning shot and Horace Grant's last-second block, but Michael Jordan was the main creator of the victory.

Over the course of six Finals games, Michael averaged 41 points and also became the first player in NBA history to earn the Finals MVP title three years in a row.

In his nine years in the league, Michael won three championships, was Rookie of the Year, was MVP of the season three times, was an All-Star Game nine times, was Finals MVP three times in a row, led the season in points seven times, three times was the leader in the number of interceptions in a season, became the best defensive player of the year, entered the second NBA symbolic team, was included in the first symbolic team of the NBA six times, entered the first symbolic team of rookies, became the MVP of the All-Star Game, won two times " Slam Dunk Contest”, became the winner of the NCAA championship, etc.

Michael was tired of such increased attention to his person, and problems began in his personal life.

gambling

During the 1993 playoffs, Michael Jordan was spotted at the Atlantic City casino the night before the Knicks game. That same year, Michael admitted that he had lost about $57,000 in the casino. Writer Richard Esquinas in his book mentioned that he won $ 1.25 million in golf from Michael.

In 2005, on a special program on CBS, they discussed the topic "Gambling Michael Jordan." This topic was discussed for 60 minutes. Michael said that there were situations in which he went beyond what was permitted, and that there were moments when he could not control himself. When the host, Ed Bradley, asked "Did Michael's gambling hobbies endanger his life and his family?" Michael replied "No."

"First retirement and baseball career"

On October 6, 1993, Michael Jordan announced his retirement, citing his loss of desire to play basketball and the death of his father earlier in the year.

Michael's father was killed on July 23, 1993, while vacationing in Lumberton, North Carolina, by two teenagers, Daniel Green and Larry Martin Demery. The killers were tracked down and detained, both criminals received life sentences.

Michael was very close to his father. As a child, he imitated his manner of sticking out his tongue during game moments. In 1996, Michael founded the Boys and Girls Club in Chicago and dedicated it to his father. The club was meant to help young people who want to reach their potential.

In his autobiography in 1998, Michael mentioned that he planned to end his career in the early summer of 1992, that he was embarrassed by the growth of a celebrity, etc. These statements shocked the public, and clippings from the autobiography scattered through the newspapers.

Michael surprised the world by signing a minor contract with the Chicago White Sox baseball team. Michael explained this decision by the fact that his father dreamed that Michael played baseball.

The White Sox were owned by Jerry Reinsdorf, who also owned the Chicago Bulls.

"I'm coming back". Michael returned to the NBA

In the 1993-94 season, the Bulls, led by Scottie Pippen, lost in the second round of the playoffs to the Knicks. During the regular season, the Bulls won 55 out of 82 matches. Scotty did a great job of leading the team.

The 1994-1995 season was not as successful as the previous one. For the first time in recent years, the Bulls could not get into the playoffs. At the time of Michael's return, 17 games remained to be played (34:31), and from the last 17 matches, Michael led the team to 13 victories.

On March 18, 1995, Michael at a special press conference said only two words, "I'm back." The next day, the game took place against Indiana Reggie Miller. The game had a high viewing rating. Michael scored 19 points. Michael entered the court under the "45" number, "23" number, after the end of Michael's career was immortalized.

Although Michael did not play basketball for a year and a half, he looked very good on the court. In the fifth match after returning, in a match against the Knicks, Michael scored 55 points. In the playoffs

At the end of the first game of the series, Nick Anderson said of Jordan "He wasn't like the old Jordan after he changed his number." Jordan scored 31 points in every game of the series, but the Magic defeated the Bulls in six games.

3,4 and 5 championships

Motivated after the loss, Michael trained hard during the offseason. The Bulls have signed Dennis Rodman, who is known for his rebounding skills. The Bulls started the 1995-96 season with a streak of 41-3 and ended with a record of 72-10, setting a league record that has not been broken to this day. Michael averaged 30.4 points per game. Michael became the MVP of the season, as well as the MVP of the All-Star Game. In the playoffs, the Bulls suffered only 3 losses in 4 series, winning in the final against Seattle. Jordan was named Finals MVP for the fourth time, breaking Magic Johnson's NBA record (3 times) for the title. Michael became the second player in NBA history to become the season, finals, and All-Star Game MVP in the same season. The championship victory coincided with "Father's Day", which caused a storm of emotions in Michael.

In 1996-97, the Bulls went 69-11 but lost their last two games and ended the season 69-13. Despite Michael's fantastic performance, the MVP of the season was "jazzman", Karl Malone.

In the final, the "bulls" and "jazzmen" met. In the first game with an equal score (82:82), Michael scored the decisive shot and brought the "bulls" victory.

You can see this throw in this ten bazers from Michael at number two

In the fifth game, with the score 2:2 in the series, Michael entered the court, despite the virus in his stomach. In this match, Michael scored 38 points. Scored the decisive shot on last minute match. The Bulls won 90-88. In the sixth game, Michael and his bulls won another championship. Michael became the Finals MVP for the fifth time. In the 1997 All-Star Game, Michael made a triple-double, but did not become the MVP of the match.

The 1997-98 season, the Bulls finished 62-20. Michael became the MVP of the season, was named to the NBA First Team, as well as to the Third Team in defensive play.

The Bulls defeated the Nets and Charlotte in the first two rounds. In the Eastern Conference Finals, they faced Indiana. For the first time since 1992, the "bulls" played all seven games of the series, they managed to break the pressure of the "pacers" only in the final match of the series. In the final, the "bulls" were again waiting for the "jazzmen".

In the sixth game, the "bulls lost" 1 point, what happened next, see this top ten, the moment at the first number.

Jordan once again received the Finals MVP title. Michael received this title six times. The second place is shared by Tim Duncan, Magic Johnson and Shaq, who have 3 titles each.

The 1998 Finals has the highest TV rating of any Finals in NBA history. And Game 6 of the Finals has the highest TV rating of any game in league history.

Second retirement

On January 13, 199, Michael announced his retirement after Phil Jackson's contract ended, was traded to Scottie Pippen by the Rockets, and Dennis Rodman, as a free agent, moved to the Lakers.

On January 19, 2000, Michael returned to the NBA, not as a player, but as owner and president of basketball operations for the Washington Wizards. Michael controlled all aspects of the club. His word was the key in personnel matters. Success in this area is somewhat controversial. On the one hand, Michael got rid of the big contracts of players who did not live up to expectations, such as Juwan Howard and Rod Strickland. On the other hand, in the 2001 draft, Michael under the first number selected "Kwame Brown", who immediately after the school bench went to the NBA.

After Michael left the League for the second time, 99.9% of people thought that Michael would no longer play in the NBA. In the summer of 2001, new club Michael "Washington" has expressed interest in the return of Michael. Jordan, inspired by the return to the NHL of his friend hockey player Mario Lemieux, decided to return. Most of the spring and summer, Michael was looking for talented players. Michael invited as his coach former coach on the game for "Chicago", Doug Collins. Many saw this action as an omen of Michael's return.

Michael's Second Coming

On September 25, 2001, Jordan announced his return to the NBA. Michael donated his entire salary to help people who suffered in the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. In the 2001-02 season, Michael averaged 22.9 points, 5.2 assists and 1.42 steals. However, an injury in his right knee prevented Michael from playing the entire season. Jordan only played 60 games.

In the 2002-2003 season, Michael broke Kareem Aboudl-Jabbar's All-Star score record. That same year, Michael was the only player on the Wizards to play in all 82 games. Jordan averaged 20 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals.

February 21, 2003, Michael at the age of 40 scored 43 points. At the end of the season, Washington finished second in attendance. On average, 20,172 fans were present at home games, and 19,311 at away games. Over the years of playing for Washington, Michael has never been able to "pull" the team into the playoffs. For this, he blamed teammates, who, as he believed, were not diligent enough. Michael criticized the game of teammates several times, in particular Kwame Brown.

Before the start of the 2002-03 season, Jordan announced that this was his last season. Everyone understood that this was indeed the last season and that there would be no third coming. In his last match at the Bulls, at the end of the game, Michael received a standing ovation for four minutes, the Miami management immortalized Michael's number in the club, despite the fact that Jordan did not play a single match for the Heat, at the All-Star Game ” received offers from Timak and Allen Iverson to take their places in the starting five. But Michael refused. It wouldn't be Michael if he agreed. But still Michael was in the starting five. Vince Carter pulled out of the All-Star Game due to public pressure.

The last game of his career, Jordan played against the "Philadelphia-76". After scoring only 13 points, Jordan went to the bench with 4 minutes and 13 seconds left in the third quarter - the team lost to the Philadelphia 76 with a score of 75-56. Immediately after the start of the fourth quarter, fans at the First Union Center began chanting "We want Michael!" After a lot of coaching from coach Doug Collins, Jordan finally got up from the bench and re-entered the game with 2:35 left, replacing Larry Hughes. With 1:45 left on Jordan, Eric Snow deliberately fouled to allow Michael to hit free throws (he scored both). After the second throw, rookie John Salosi, in turn, was deliberately stopped with a foul by Bobby Simmons in order for Jordan to return to the bench. Jordan received a standing ovation for three minutes from his teammates, his opponents and 21,257 fans.

The last match of Michael Jordan you can download in this thread

Player characteristic

Jordan played shooting guard and was the team's chief offensive player (both in Chicago and Washington). NBA leader in points scored per game during the regular season (30.12 points per game) and playoffs (33.4 points per game). His ability to jump, demonstrated in a top-dash contest when he scored from the free-throw line, earned him the nickname "Air Jordan" and "his Air". He also gained a reputation as one of the best defensemen in basketball, averaging 6.2 rebounds, 0.8 blocks and 2.4 steals per game throughout his career. Jordan is the most versatile basketball player with excellent basketball intelligence, he is excellent at shooting, making passes, playing under the shield, helping defense. It has a unique "explosive" style of play, due to the fantastic explosive starting speed, changing the pace of the game at the right time at speed. In addition, Jordan is distinguished high level dedication - in important matches, he was almost always trusted with the right to take the decisive shot. For good luck during NBA games, Jordan always wore University of North Carolina shorts under the Chicago Bulls uniform.

Jordan was moderately tall (198 cm) and impeccably built - broad shoulders, thin waist and only 4 percent fat (in the body of an average professional athlete more fat - up to 7-8 percent). In addition to unique physical data, Michael had an unstoppable desire to improve his game, sports passion, and a passion for victory.

In dealing with people, Michael is always simple, friendly, tactful. Jordan sometimes showed intolerance towards teammates, Luke Longley and Tony Kukocha, he did not like and often let go of caustic remarks about them, as he believed that these two players did not always live up to expectations.

Statistics in the NBA

Life after the end of a sports career

After the third retirement, Jordan was going to return to his previous position as director of basketball operations at the Wizards. However, on May 7, 2003, team owner Abe Pollin fired Jordan from that position. Jordan later stated that he felt betrayed and if he had known that he would be fired, he would never have played for the Wizards.

Over the following years, Jordan kept fit by playing celebrity charity golf tournaments and spending time with his family in Chicago. Michael promoted his clothing brand Jordan, and also became interested in motorsports. Jordan has been the owner since 2004. professional team Michael Jordan Motorsports, which competes with two Suzuki motorcycles in the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) premium Superbike race. In 2006, Jordan and his wife Juanita donated $5 million to Hales Franciscan High School in Chicago. On June 15, 2006, Jordan acquired a minority stake in the Charlotte Bobcats, becoming the team's second shareholder after owner Robert L. Johnson. Under the terms of the deal, Jordan became president of the basketball operations team. Jordan insisted on not being involved in the club's marketing campaigns.

Johnson put the team up for sale in the summer of 2009, and rumors immediately circulated that Jordan would seek to buy the club. In February 2010, Jordan confirmed his intentions to buy back the team's shares. The main contenders for the purchase of the team were Jordan and former Houston Rockets president George Postolos. On February 27, Johnson reached an agreement with Jordan and his partners on the terms of the sale of the Charlotte Bobcats, and on March 17, the NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved the deal. Thus, Jordan became the first former player NBA, which is the owner of a controlling stake in the League club.

Heritage

April 6, 2009 Michael Jordan, famed players David Robinson and John Stockton, and Main coach Utah Jazz Jerry Sloan was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame. At a press conference to announce the new members of the Hall of Fame, the legendary Chicago Bulls guard said he was saddened to be included in their list so early:

I do not like the fact that I will be included in the Hall of Fame now, because it means that the basketball career is over. I hoped that this day would come in 20 years or after my death. Yes, this is a great achievement and a great honor for me. But I want you to always think that I can return to basketball. After all, as long as this thought remains, no one knows what will happen, and what I am capable of.

Personal life

Jordan is the fourth of five children. He has two older brothers, Larry Jordan and James R. Jordan, Jr., one older sister, Deloris, and a younger sister, Roslyn. Jordan's brother James retired in 2006 as a command sergeant major in the 35th Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps, US Army.

Michael married Juanita Vanoy in September 1989 and has three children: two sons, Jeffrey Michael (b. 1988) and Marcus James (b. 1990), and a daughter, Jasmine. Juanita Jordan filed for divorce on January 4, 2002, citing irreconcilable differences, but reconciled with her husband shortly thereafter. They again filed for divorce and dissolved the marriage on December 29, 2006, stating that the decision was made "mutually and amicably." Juanita received a $168 million settlement, making the divorce the largest divorce settlement among public figures at the time.

On July 21, 2006, an Illinois court ruled that Jordan was not required to pay $5 million in damages to former secret lover Carla Knafel. Jordan paid Knafel $250,000 to keep their relationship under wraps. Knafel claimed Jordan promised her $5 million to keep quiet and agree not to file paternity after Knafel found out she was pregnant in 1991. DNA analysis showed that Jordan is not the father of the child.

Whether Michael Jordan can be called the best NBA basketball player is an open question, although he definitely deserved the title of "one of the best". It is equally true that not a single NBA player can argue with Michael in terms of fame - he, in fact, has become an informal symbol of the association, having greatly contributed to the growth of its popularity.

Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former professional basketball player, entrepreneur, owner and chairman of the Charlotte Hornets. Considered one of the most famous and popular athletes of his era; played a key role in popularizing the NBA around the world.

Jordan was born in Brooklyn, New York (Brooklyn, New York); when he was still very young, his family moved to Wilmington, North Carolina (Wilmington, North Carolina). Already at school, Jordan actively played baseball, football and basketball; It is interesting that for some time Michael was not in a hurry to take on basketball teams - with his height of 1.80 m, he was considered too short for professional sports. Jordan was on fire with a dream to prove to everyone that a basketball player could turn out of him; he devoted the whole summer to active training, simultaneously managing to grow by as much as 10 centimeters. Michael managed to get into the reserve team of his school. It soon became clear that Michael was indeed the most promising basketball player; he showed impressive efficiency, quickly becoming the main star of the team. Jordan soon became interested in recruiters from major universities; eventually michael osta

changed his choice to the University of North Carolina. After three seasons with the varsity basketball team, Jordan entered the NBA draft and was selected third overall by the Chicago Bulls. Michael Jordan became a real star of the League rather quickly; crowds of fans from the highest efficiency of Michael were instantly delighted.

Most of all, Jordan stood out for his incredible "jumping" talents; for his "volatility" Michael received the nickname "Air Jordan". Defender Michael Jordan also turned out to be excellent - one of the best in the history of world basketball.

The athlete won his first NBA championship in 1991; in 1992 and 1993 Michael repeated his result.

At the beginning of the 1993-1994 season, Jordan suddenly announced his retirement from basketball - Michael suddenly wanted to play baseball. For the "Chicago Bulls" it was a serious blow - the effectiveness of the team's performances decreased markedly; in fact, even reaching the playoffs was a real test for the team. Returned to the "Bulls" Michael in 1995 - literally breathed into his team new life; 1996, 1997 and 1998 brought him real fame.

n left the team again; this time in the NBA, he returned quite quickly - but not as a player, but as a co-owner and president of the Washington Wizards basketball division. Jordan claimed he would never play another game in the NBA with a 99/9% chance; his confidence, however, did not last long - in the summer of 2001, Michael began to think about returning to basketball. Inspired by the experience of his friend Mario Lemieux, who had just returned to the NHL, Michael resumed training. Jordan returned to the NBA on September 25, 2001 - but not in the Chicago Bulls, but in the Washington Wizards. Michael pledged to give his salary to the victims of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Michael showed good results, but the "Wizards" stubbornly failed to get into the playoffs; Jordan was pretty annoyed by this - several times he even openly criticized his teammates in front of journalists. It soon became known that the 2002-2003 season would be Jordan's last. The last match with Michael Jordan took place in Philadelphia on April 16, 2003.

After his third departure from the NBA, Jordan planned to return to a leadership position with the Wizards;

his plans, however, were not destined to come true - the club's management was clearly not particularly enthusiastic about Michael's candidacy. Michael such a "betrayal" pretty upset. Over the following years, Michael actively played golf at celebrity charity tournaments, spent time with his family, promoted his own clothing brand and rode motorcycles.

On June 15, 2006, Jordan bought out some of the Charlotte Bobcats shares, becoming the company's second largest shareholder. Among other things, Michael knocked out the position of head of basketball affairs. Jordan chose not to use his big name this time - even to promote the team as a whole.

In February 2010, it became known that Jordan was considering buying a controlling stake in the team. Negotiations continued for some time, but they still managed to reach a compromise - and on March 17, Jordan became the first ex-player (and the only black in the League) to have a controlling stake in the team. On May 21, 2013, Jordan applied to change the team's name from "Bobcats" to "Hornets"; On July 18, the application was approved, and on May 20, 2014, the decision officially entered into force.

Michael Jordan dribbles.

It is believed that Michael Jordan is probably the most outstanding basketball player in the history of this sport. The biography of Michael Jordan clearly shows how important it is in achieving success. It is not for nothing that it has been noticed that outstanding people spent about 10 thousand hours or even more on their life's work.

Here is what Michael Jordon himself says about himself:

I made over 9,000 misses. In my career, I've let my team down over 300 times, and 26 times I've been trusted to take the decisive shot and let the whole team down. I still continued to strive for success. Ultimately, this is what made me successful.

Michael Jordan is rightfully considered the number one basketball player in the world. His game combined incredible skill and good physical data and preparation. Moreover, Michael knew how to make the game so spectacular that it was almost impossible to tear yourself away from watching the match.

Brief biography and success story of Michael Jordon

Michael Jordan was born in the same year as my mother, in 1963. It was February 17 in Brooklyn (the world-famous area of New York). Father James Jordan and mother Deloris Peoples already had three children at that time. Later, the Jordans moved to North Carolina in the city of Wilmington. Unlike his older brothers and sisters, Michael Jordan did not really want to help with the housework or earn extra money. He was and had certain problems with discipline at school and was not distinguished by a special desire for knowledge.

But already at the age of 12, Michael was in full swing in sports, which in the future will predetermine his career. It was basketball. Michael Jordan loved to play basketball. In particular, at the age of 12, Michael reached the finals of the junior league championship. He soon received the title of important player The Most Valuable Professionsls (MVP). That is, he was recognized as the most valuable player of the entire championship.

As a teenager, Michael Jordan became seriously interested in basketball. And although he lacked height (he was only 1.75 meters tall in the summer of 1978), he was able to get around this problem with training in coordination and jumping height. Jordan wasn't the tallest and he wasn't the most powerful. But on the other hand, he could do at a basketball game what seemed simply impossible before. And although his success in basketball was noticed, the coach did not let Michael into the high school basketball team, as they were older and stronger in physique.

The refusal to include Jordan in the high school team was very upset and angered the basketball player, and he began to give all the best in matches with even more force to show the coach that he was wrong. At that time, the average result was 28 points per game. A year later, Michael became 10 centimeters taller, and when his height reached 186 centimeters, he was accepted into the school basketball team. Michael Jordon's older brother Larry Jordan played at number 45. Michael chose number 23 for himself, explaining his choice by the fact that he wants to become at least half as wonderful an athlete as his brother.

At number 23, Michael Jordan subsequently played for almost his entire basketball career.

Jordan was actively engaged in training. He also participated in competitions in other sports - American football, athletics. Michael also played baseball. So sports and game types sports became a part of Michael Jordon's life even before entering the university.

Summer 1980. Michael got to the training camp of the University of North Carolina, where he made a serious impression on the coaching staff. As a result, Michael was offered to study at this university. Michael Jordon's parents, of course, were happy about this.

Collegiate sports

As soon as Michael entered the University of North Caorlina in 1981, he immediately became an integral part of the basketball team. Even then, the athlete was distinguished by the skill of defense. In addition, Michael could dribble like no other.

All the coaches of Jordon made more demands on him than on all the other players on the team. Trenar saw great potential in Michael, while Jordan himself said that he wanted to become the best player of the best. The coaching staff insisted that if Mile wanted to become the best basketball player, then he should work harder than others. Jordan eventually agreed to "work like a horse" to get closer to his goal.

In the end, thanks to participation in various championships, Michael Jordon was noticed in the NBA. Thus, the basketball hobby began to turn into professional career.

In 1985, Michael Jordan became the best of the season among beginners. However, the first time in the NBA he had a hard time. It was not that there were four times as many suits. It turned out that despite the professionalism of the new coach, new team turned out to be weak, and the conditions for training were worse than at the university where Jordan studied.

Already in Michael's first year in the MBA, his team's rivals predicted that stadiums would soon gather solely to watch Jordon.

If someone thinks that the career of a great basketball player was cloudless, then this is a delusion. For example, most of the second season, Jordan was unable to play, as he broke his left foot. Of course, such a fracture is a big problem for any athlete. And even more so for a basketball player.

Briefly about the achievements of Macle Jordon

We can see that the reason for the success of Michael Jordon was his consistency - he has been involved in sports and basketball in particular since childhood. And also in many ways the fate of the player was determined by his determination and hard work.

Michael Jeffrey Jordan(English Michael Jeffrey Jordan; born February 17, 1963, Brooklyn, New York) is an American basketball player and former NBA player. Played as an attacking defender. Jordan was instrumental in popularizing basketball and the NBA around the world in the 1980s and 1990s.

After starting a career with the University of North Carolina (1982-1984), with which he won the 1982 NCAA championship, Jordan joined the Chicago Bulls in 1984. For his phenomenal jumping ability, Michael received the nicknames "Air Jordan" and "His Air". He is also considered one of the best defensive players in basketball history. In 1991, he won his first NBA championship with the Bulls, and repeated that success in 1992 and 1993. After the death of his father at the beginning of the 1993/94 season, Jordan suddenly retired from basketball and tried to make a career in baseball. In 1995, he returned to the court and helped the Bulls win three more titles (1996, 1997 and 1998), along the way setting the NBA record with the team at that time in the number of games won during the regular season - 72 wins (1995/96 season). ). Jordan retired for the second time in 1999, but returned for two more seasons in 2001 with the Washington Wizards.

In 1984, Jordan entered into an advertising contract with Nike, which specifically designed Michael's Air Jordan sneakers. The project was so successful that subsequently Air Jordan became an independent brand. Jordan played himself in the feature film Space Jam (1996). Member of the management team of Oakley Inc. He is now the principal owner and head of basketball operations for the Charlotte Hornets. In February 2010, he won the bidding for the right to buy a controlling stake in the team from the main owner, Robert L. Johnson. Michael thus became the first association player to own an NBA club. Michael Jordan became the first billionaire athlete and is worth about $1 billion.

According to Forbes, Michael Jordan is the most highly paid athlete throughout history. If you translate all the money he earned into dollars at the rate of 2017, then this is $ 1.85 billion. In addition to salaries and numerous bonuses, Jordan received a large part of his fortune thanks to advertising contracts.

Childhood

Michael's parents, James Jordan and Deloris Peoples, met in 1956 after basketball game in Wallace, North Carolina. James was in the US Air Force at the time, and Deloris was studying at the Tuskegee Institute, and they soon married. Michael's parents were of average height and did not differ in athletic build.

Michael Jordan was born on February 17, 1963 in Brooklyn (New York), where his father studied at the General Electric School. Michael was the fourth of five children: he has two older brothers, Larry and James Jr., an older sister, Deloris, and a younger sister, Roslyn. Shortly after Michael's birth, the family moved to Wallace, where his father worked as a forklift operator in a factory and his mother was a bank clerk. In 1970, the Jordans moved to the larger city of Wilmington, where James grew up. Michael's parents were promoted at work: James became shop foreman and head of equipment at the plant, and Deloris became head of consumer relations at the bank. The family became wealthy and could afford new house on the coast. While all his brothers and sisters worked part-time after school and helped their parents with the housework, Michael was very lazy, did not want to work and shied away from household duties as best he could. In high school, he did not try very hard, he had problems with discipline.

Jordan was involved in many sports, but most of all he loved baseball and dreamed of becoming a professional pitcher in the future. In this sport, Michael achieved some success at the children's level - at the age of 12, he and his team reached the finals of the minor league championship, later became the state champion and was recognized as the best player in the championship. Later, Michael became seriously interested in basketball, most popular game with local black youth. Although Jordan was not distinguished by his tall stature and powerful physique, he practiced the jump to compensate for these shortcomings. Michael's regular partner was his older brother Larry, with whom they often played against each other on the court behind the house.

Emsley Laney High School

In the ninth grade, Jordan was already a good basketball player. Although he still lacked height (by the summer of 1978 he was 175 cm), Michael was different high speed and diligence. He tried to get into the Emsley Laney high school basketball team, but the coach, praising Jordan's playing qualities, still preferred to form a team of older and stronger guys. Not getting into the team upset Michael very much and, in order to show the coach his mistake, he began to give all his best at the matches of the junior school team. Playing at point guard, Jordan showed a high level of play and averaged 28 points. During the following summer, he trained hard and grew by 10 cm. In the tenth grade, Michael also played for the school team in American football, participated in track and field competitions, and also played baseball.

Although Michael did poorly in high school and even skipped classes to play basketball, high school he took up his studies and raised his GPA. He was especially good at mathematics and other exact sciences.

In the eleventh grade, Michael, who had grown to 186 cm, was finally taken to the school basketball team, where his brother Larry played under the 45th number. Michael took number 23 for himself, explaining his choice by the desire to become at least half as good an athlete as his brother. Under this number, he played for almost his entire career. Jordan, taking the position of power forward, successfully fit into the team and scored an average of 20.8 points per game. He constantly worked on himself and trained every morning before school. During his first season on the high school team, Jordan was little known among selectors and journalists: he did not even make the 1980 list of the 300 most promising basketball players among American high school students. However, in the summer of that year, he attended a training camp at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and made an indelible impression on coaching staff varsity team led by Dean Smith.

After school, Michael wanted to go to the University of California at Los Angeles (the basketball team of this university most often won the NCAA championship), but there were no offers from there. Jordan was invited to the universities of South Carolina and Maryland, but the most active were the coaches of the University of North Carolina, who came to the Jordans in the fall of 1980 to persuade Michael to choose their university. The Jordan family liked this option, especially since Michael's younger sister, Roslyn, was also going to the same university. In November 1980, Michael made his choice and wrote a letter of intent to enter the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Having resolved the issue of continuing education in advance, Jordan had a great last season in the school league. He averaged a triple-double per game with 29.2 points, 11.6 rebounds and 10.1 assists. His team finished the season with 19 wins and 4 losses, although it did not qualify for the state championship. Michael himself was invited to Washington to participate in the American School League All-Star Game, in which he played very well, gaining 30 points.

University of North Carolina

In the summer of 1981, Michael Jordan entered the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which provided him with an athletic scholarship. He chose geography as his main subject. Jordan's roommate was Buzz Peterson, a talented local basketball player whom Michael knew well from high school championship games. The University of North Carolina Tar Heels basketball team, led by coach Dean Smith, was one of the strongest in the United States, playing six times in the final four of the NCAA collegiate championship, and in the 1980/81 season reached the final of the championship. The team had a great roster that included future NBA stars Sam Perkins and James Worthy in addition to Jordan. Dean Smith always bet on a team game in which even the most stellar player had to sacrifice his own personality for the sake of the team's success.

Jordan was initially nervous in a new environment for himself, in a team where his partners were players of a much higher level compared to the school. Smith began to play Michael as a shooting guard with an emphasis on defense, which was unusual for Jordan, who was used to playing an attacking forward. However, Michael quickly settled into his new role, performing well in practice games, and at the start of the 1981/82 season, Smith put Jordan in the starting five.

The Tar Heels finished the 1981-82 regular season in first place in the Atlantic Coast Conference with 32 wins and 2 losses. Jordan averaged 13.4 points per game and was named the Conference Rookie of the Year. In the semi-finals of the college championship playoffs, the North Carolina team defeated a strong team from the University of Houston, which included Hakim Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, to reach the final, where they went to Georgetown University with a powerful center Patrick Ewing in the final. Jordan became the protagonist of the finals when, with an equal game in the last minutes of the match, he twice led his team forward, and his last jump shot brought victory points to the University of North Carolina and the championship title. Jordan later called this shot the turning point of his basketball career.

In three seasons at the University of North Carolina, Jordan averaged 17.7 points per game on 54.0% shooting and 5.0 rebounds per game. Michael was selected to the NCCA All-American First Team in his first (1983) and second (1984) seasons. After winning the Naismith award and Player of the Year in 1984, Jordan left the University of North Carolina a year before graduation to enter the 1984 NBA draft. Jordan later returned to this university to complete his bachelor's degree in cultural geography in 1986.

Pan American Games-1983

While in college, Jordan became a member of the US basketball team. At the 1983 Pan American Games in Caracas (Venezuela), the team was led by coach Jack Hartman (University of Kansas). The more offensively oriented US team performed well defensively as well, winning all 8 matches and taking gold at the third Pan American Games in a row, as well as extending the US team's winning streak to 28 matches. Along with Jordan, future NBA players such as Mark Price, Chris Mullin, Wayman Tisdale and Sam Perkins played for the national team. Jordan averaged 17.3 points per game during the tournament and was the team's top scoring player. Team USA qualified for the 1984 Summer Olympics.

Olympic Games-1984

On summer Olympic Games 1984 in Los Angeles, the USA team did not have NBA professionals, but its lineup is impressive - Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing, Chris Mullin and Sam Perkins. Jordan and Ewing were team captains. In the first match of the group stage, the Americans defeated the Chinese team with a score of 97:49. All 10 matches were won. Jordan led the team in scoring, averaging 17.1 points per game, and was voted the best player in the Olympic tournament.

Draft 1984

On June 19, 1984, Jordan was selected third overall by the Chicago Bulls in the NBA draft, behind Hakeem Olajuwon (Houston Rockets) and Sam Bowie (Portland Trail Blazers). Jordan's friend from the North Carolina team, Sam Perkins, was selected fourth by the Dallas Mavericks. Charles Barkley was selected fifth overall by the Philadelphia 76s. Olajuwon, Jordan and Barkley were among the nine players who did not graduate from college and entered the NBA draft. The 1984 draft was considered one of the best in NBA history. Four of its members became members of the Basketball Hall of Fame, and seven players participated in the All-Star Games. However, it was noted that the Blazers made a serious mistake by choosing Sam Bowie over Jordan. Bowie has been plagued by injuries for nearly his entire career, making his pick with such a high number one of the biggest setbacks in NBA draft history. Jordan was chosen to pick center Bowie, as Portland's 1983 draft pick Clyde Drexler was already playing shooting guard.

Professional career

Early years (1984-1987)

In his first season in the NBA, Jordan started in the starting five, scoring 28.2 points per game on 51.5% shooting. He quickly became a fan favorite, even in foreign arenas, and after only a month of his professional career, he appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated with the headline "A Star Is Born." In 1984, Michael Jordan signed a contract to advertise basketball shoes with Nike. Black and red Air Jordan sneakers in the colors of the Chicago Bulls uniform were designed especially for Michael. On October 18, the NBA banned the shoe due to its aggressive colors and lack of white. Jordan was fined five thousand dollars for each game in them, but Jordan continued to play in shoes from Nike - the fines were willingly paid by the company, using this fact in promoting sneakers. Already in his debut season, Jordan was selected in the starting five for the NBA All-Star Game. This caused dissatisfaction among the League veterans, led by Isaiah Thomas - the veterans were frustrated with the amount of attention that Michael received. This led to the so-called "freeze" of Jordan on the court, when the players refused to give him the ball throughout the game. Jordan, withstood this pressure, at the end of the regular season won the title of NBA Rookie of the Year. In his first season, Jordan became the third highest scorer in the NBA and entered the second top five players in the Association. Largely thanks to Michael, the Chicago Bulls, despite 44 losses with 38 wins, reached the playoffs, which they had not been able to for three years. Chicago lost in the first round of the playoffs in four games to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Most of the second season (64 games) Jordan missed due to a leg injury. Despite Jordan's injury and the team's 30-52 record, the Bulls made the playoffs again. Michael had recovered by this time and had a great knockout game. In Game 2 against a 1985-86 Boston Celtics often hailed as one of the greatest in NBA history, Jordan set a still unbroken playoff scoring record of 63. Michael, the Celtics won the series.

Jordan fully recovered by the 1986/87 season, during which he became one of the most productive players in NBA history. With an average of 37 points per game and 48.2% shooting, Jordan became only the second player in association history, after Wilt Chamberlain, to score 3,000 points in a season. In addition, Michael showed off his defensive skills by becoming the first player in NBA history to record 200 steals and 100 blocks in a season. Despite these achievements, the League MVP title went to Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers. The Bulls won 40 wins and made the playoffs for the third time in a row, but again lost to the Boston Celtics in the first round.

Mid-career: Detroit hurdle (1987-1990)

In the 1987/88 season, Jordan again topped the list. top scorers League, averaging 35.0 points per game on 53.5% shooting, and won his first regular season MVP title. He was also named Defensive Player of the Year, averaging 1.6 blocks and 3.16 steals per game. The Bulls finished the regular season with a 50-32 win record and made it past the first round of the playoffs for the first time, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games. In the next round, the Bulls lost in five games to the more experienced Detroit Pistons, led by Isaiah Thomas. The Detroit team was nicknamed the "Bad Boys" for their athleticism and rough play style.

In the 1988/89 season, Jordan again became the best in the League in terms of points per game - 32.5 with 53.8% of sales, adding to his statistics 8 rebounds and 8 assists per game on average. Chicago finished the season 47-35 and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks along the way. The series with the Cavaliers is notable for Jordan hitting the game-winner over Craig Ello in the last seconds of the decisive Game 5 of the series. However, in the next round, Detroit again defeated Chicago, this time in six games, using the "Jordan rule" - a defensive method that doubles and sometimes triples Michael in possession of the ball.

The Bulls spent the 1989-90 season on the rise: Jordan became team captain, young, rapidly progressing players Scottie Pippen (traded immediately after the draft from the Seattle SuperSonics) and Horace Grant, the team was led by new coach- Phil Jackson. Jordan averaged 33.6 points per game with 52.6% sales, made 6.9 rebounds and 6.3 assists. Chicago finished the regular season with a 55-27 win record. They made it to the Eastern Conference Finals again, defeating the Milwaukee Bucks and the Philadelphia '76s along the way. However, despite a seven-game streak, Chicago once again lost to Detroit for the third consecutive season.

First three-pit (1990-1993)

In the 1990/91 season, Jordan won his second regular season MVP title, averaging 31.5 points per game on 53.9% shooting, 6.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists. The Bulls finished the season in first place in their division for the first time in 16 years, with a club-record 61 regular season wins. Scottie Pippen rose to an All-Star level. In the playoffs, Chicago was knocked out in turn by the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76. They advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they were once again opposed by the Detroit Pistons. However, this time, when the Pistons used the Jordan Rule, Michael overcame double custody by discounting partners. Unexpectedly, the Bulls defeated the Detroit Pistons in four games. At the end of the fourth and final game of the series, Isea Thomas took his team off the court before the end of the match. Most of the Pistons players walked into the locker room without the traditional handshake.

In the playoffs, the Bulls scored a record 15 wins with 2 losses and reached the NBA Finals for the first time in their history, where they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 4-1. Most famous moment of the series was an episode in the second game, when, trying to score from above, Jordan, in order to avoid a block shot from Sam Perkins, shifted the ball while in the air from right hand to the left to put in the basket. In his first Finals, Jordan averaged 31.2 points per game on 56% shooting, with 11.4 assists, 6.6 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 1.4 blocks. Jordan won his first NBA Finals Most Valuable Player title while holding the NBA Cup, he cried.

Jordan and the Bulls dominated the 1991-92 season, setting a 67-15 win record, bettering the 1990-91 record. Jordan won his third MVP title in a row with 30.1/6.4/6.1 on 52% sales. After winning a grueling seven-game streak against the New York Knicks in the second round of the playoffs, Jordan & Co. defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Conference Finals in 6 games. Clyde Drexler and the Portland Trail Blazers were waiting for the Bulls in the Finals. The media, hoping to restore a Magic Bird-esque rivalry, noted the similarities between "His Air" Jordan and "Sliding" Clyde during a pre-Endgame video. In Game 1, Jordan set a Finals first-half point record with 35 points, including a career-high six 3-pointers. After the sixth three-pointer, he looked into the hall, shrugging his shoulders. Marv Albert, the game's commentator, later stated that it was as if Jordan was saying, "I can't believe I'm doing this." The Bulls won the first game and then won the series in six games. Jordan was named Finals MVP for the second year in a row, averaging 35.8 points per game, 4.8 rebounds and 6.5 assists, while shooting 53%.

In the 1992/93 season, despite an excellent record of 32.6/6.7/5.5, Jordan lost the regular season MVP award to his friend Charles Barkley. Significantly, Jordan and the Bulls faced Barkley and his Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals. The Bulls won their third NBA championship with a John Paxon game-tying shot and a last-second block from Horace Grant. Jordan was once again the catalyst for Chicago's attacks. He averaged 41 points in six games in the series and became the first player in NBA history to win the Finals MVP title for three straight years. He scored over 30 points in every game, including 40 or more points in 4 straight games. In addition, Jordan topped the league's top scoring list for seven consecutive seasons. However, the growing popularity bothered Jordan, and his personal life went wrong.

1992 Olympic Games

Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, Chris Mullin, Patrick Ewing, Clyde Drexler, John Stockton and other NBA stars went to the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona along with Michael Jordan. The US national team was immediately dubbed the Dream Team - the “dream team”, and, indeed, there was no such team before or after in the world. In all 8 matches played, the Americans invariably scored more than a hundred points, their coach Chuck Daly did not take a single timeout for the entire tournament, not only fans, but also the players of the opposing team lined up in line for autographs of the Americans after the games. The Lithuanian team in the semi-final was defeated with a score of 127:76, Croatia in the final - 117:85. Michael, gaining an average of 12.7 points per game (the fourth player on the team in terms of performance), won his second Olympic gold. Jordan, Chris Mullin and Patrick Ewing are the only players on Team USA to win gold medals. Olympic medals both as professionals and as amateurs (1984). At the ceremony of awarding the American basketball team with Olympic gold medals, Michael Jordan stood on a pedestal, wrapped in an American flag. The reason for this was the athlete's contract with Nike, as the Reebok logo was on the uniform of the national team.

gambling

During the playoffs in 1993, Jordan was seen playing in an Atlantic City, New Jersey casino the night before a game against the New York Knicks. In the same year he admitted to losing $57,000 in gambling, author Richard Eskinas wrote a book in which he claimed he won $1.25 million from Jordan in golf. In 2005, Jordan spoke to host Ed Bradley on the CBS evening show 60 Minutes about his gambling addiction and admitted that he had done reckless things. Michael stated: “Yes, I got into situations that I did not avoid - I tried to push the boundaries of the possible. Is it mania? Yes, but it also depends on how you look at it. If you're willing to endanger your existence and your family, then yes." When Bradley asked him if his gambling addiction had reached the point where his existence or that of his family was threatened, Jordan replied, "No."

First retirement

On October 6, 1993, Jordan announced his retirement, citing a loss of interest in basketball. Michael later stated that the murder of his father that year only spurred this decision. James R. Jordan Sr. was killed on July 23, 1993 at a highway rest area in Lumberton, North Carolina by two teenagers, Daniel Green and Larry Martin Demery. The attackers were tracked down by calls from James Jordan's cell phone, caught, convicted, and sentenced to life in prison. Jordan was close to his father as a child and even mimicked his father's tendency to stick out his tongue while working. Later, sticking out his tongue became his calling card, he did this every time he attacked the ring. In 1996 he founded kids club "Chicago Boys & Girls" and dedicated it to his father.

In a 1998 autobiography "For the love of the game" Jordan will write that he was preparing to retire in the summer of 1992. Exhausted by playing for the Dream Team in the 1992 Olympics, Jordan lost interest in the game and was constantly troubled by his celebrity status. Jordan's statement shocked the NBA and appeared on the front pages of newspapers around the world.

On March 31, 1994, Jordan surprised the sports world by signing with the Chicago White Sox. Jordan stated that he decided to fulfill the dream of his late father, who saw his son as a baseball player. The White Sox team was owned by Bulls owner Reinsdorf Jerry, who paid Jordan during his baseball career under an NBA contract. During a short professional baseball career, Jordan played for the Birmingham Barons (a farm team for the Chicago White Sox) and also played for the Scottsdale Scorpions in 1994. Jordan's average batting percentage during his time with the Birmingham Barons was 20.2%. In the same year, two semi-documentary films "Michael Jordan`s Playground" and "Come fly with me" were released.

"I'm Back": Return to the NBA

The 1993-94 Chicago Bulls finished 55-27 in Jordan's absence, losing to the New York Knicks in the second round of the playoffs. In the 1994-95 season, the Bulls were a pale shadow of a two-year-old team. In the middle of the season, the Bulls fought only for the playoffs, in mid-March the team's performance was 31-31. However, the team was reborn when Jordan decided to return to the NBA with Chicago.

On March 18, 1995, Jordan announced his return to the NBA with a brief statement: "I'm back." The next day, Jordan wore jersey number 45 (his number with the Barons), as number 23 had been retired in his honor. In the first game against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, he scored 19 points. The game received the highest television rating of an NBA regular season game since 1975.

Although Jordan missed a year and a half, he played at the same level - already in the fourth game after his return, against the Atlanta Hawks, Michael makes the winning shot, and in the match against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 28, 1995 Jordan scored 55 points. Strengthened by Jordan, the Bulls advanced to the playoffs and reached the semi-finals in the Eastern Conference, where they faced the Orlando Magic. At the end of Game 1 of the series, Orlando player Nick Anderson knocked the ball off Jordan's back on a throw, later commenting that Jordan "doesn't look like the old Michael Jordan". In the next game, Jordan regained his old number (23), but despite 31 points per game in this series, Orlando won in six games.

Second three-pit (1995-1998)

The protruding tongue is a trademark of Michael Jordan. Michael adopted this habit from his father James, who inherited it from his grandfather.

The playoff defeat forced Jordan to seriously prepare for the 1995/96 season. The Bulls have added rebounder Dennis Rodman. From the start of the season, Chicago dominated the league 41-3, eventually ending the regular season with the then-best record in NBA history at the time, 72-10. Jordan led the league in scoring, averaging 30.4 points, and won the regular season MVP and All-Star Game titles. In the playoffs, Chicago suffered only three losses in four series, confidently defeating the Seattle SuperSonics in the NBA Finals. Jordan was named Finals MVP for a record fourth time, ahead of Magic Johnson with three Finals MVPs. He repeated the achievement of Willis Reed, who during the 1969/70 season won the regular season MVP, All-Star Game MVP, and NBA Finals MVP. It is symbolic that the victory in the first championship after the death of his father was won on Father's Day. Jordan reacted very emotionally to the victory, sobbing on the floor of the locker room, hugging the ball.

In 1996, the family comedy film "Space Match" about the adventures of Michael Jordan was released (the film is also known as "Space Jam", "Space Basketball", "Trick with Ears", "Space Jam").

In the 1996-97 season, the Chicagoans missed a 70-win opportunity, losing their last two games at the end of the season and finishing with a 69-13 win record. This year, Jordan lost the NBA regular season MVP title to Karl Malone. The team again reached the final, where they met with the Utah Jazz. The series against the Jazz is remembered for two of the most memorable moments in Jordan's career. The victory in the first game of the series was brought by a ball scored by Jordan in a jump along with a siren. In Game 5, at 2-2 in the series, Jordan played despite a fever and stomach dehydration due to a viral illness, earning the match the name "Flu Game". Jordan scored 38 points, including a game-tying three-pointer in the last minute. The Bulls won 90-88, winning the series in six games. For the fifth time in the finals, Jordan won the MVP award. This season, Jordan did not receive the All-Star Game MVP award, despite the fact that Michael became the first player to record a triple-double in the history of All-Star matches (in 2011, Miami Heat forward LeBron James was able to repeat this achievement, and in 2012 - Dwyane Wade).

Jordan and Chicago won 62 games to 20 in the 1997-98 season. Jordan's high performance of 28.7 points per game secured him the NBA regular season MVP title for the fifth time. Michael was named to the NBA All-Star Team, the first NBA All-Defensive Team, and took part in the NBA All-Star Game. Chicago Basketball won the Eastern Conference Finals for the third straight season, playing a grueling seven games against the Indiana Pacers led by Reggie Miller in the final series, the first time since 1992 when Jordan and Co. played a seven-game series against the Knicks. After winning the conference finals, Chicago was looking forward to a rematch with the Jazz for the NBA title.

Chicago returned to Utah for Game 6 of the Finals on June 14, 1998, winning the series 3–2. In the last seconds, Jordan knocked the ball out of Karl Malone's hands and, dribbling across the court, scored the game-winning shot. He tricked Brian Russell, just like he did a year ago, in the last seconds of the first match of the '97 Final Series between Utah and Chicago. John Stockton tried to save the match, but missed a three-pointer in the last second. Michael Jordan at the end of the NBA Finals raised his hands above his head, showing six fingers this time - he led his team to the sixth championship title. This moment was recognized by the National Basketball Association as the greatest in its history of the playoffs. Jordan was named Finals MVP, averaging 33.5 points per game. The NBA Finals is still considered the highest-rated television event ever, with Game 6 having the largest television audience in NBA history.

Second retirement

Before the start of the next season, the Chicago roster underwent significant changes: the contract with Phil Jackson ended, Scottie Pippen announced his desire to change the team during the season, and Dennis Rodman signed a contract with the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent. The league was paralyzed by the lockout of NBA players. Under these circumstances, on January 13, 1999, Jordan ended his playing career for the second time.

On January 19, 2000, Jordan returned to the NBA, but not as a player, but as a co-owner and general manager of the Washington Wizards club for basketball operations. Previously, he made an attempt to become a co-owner of the Charlotte Hornets as a full partner of the team's founder George Shinn. However, negotiations stalled when Shinn refused to give Jordan full control of basketball operations.

Jordan's duties in Washington were all-encompassing. He controlled all aspects of the activities of the "Magicians" in basketball, his word was the last in resolving all personnel issues. Differing opinions have been expressed about Jordan's competence. On the one hand, he managed to reduce the team's cost of player salaries by getting rid of several highly paid unpopular basketball players (such as forward Juwan Howard and point guard Rod Strickland), but in the process he used the first pick in the 2001 Draft to select high school student Kwame Brown, which did not live up to expectations and was traded after four seasons.

Despite his statement in January 1999 that he was "99.9% sure" he would never play, in the summer of 2001 Jordan expressed interest in returning to the NBA, but this time with a new team. Inspired by the return of his friend Mario Lemieux to the NHL the previous winter, Jordan trained hard through the spring and summer of 2001. Michael has run several indoor training camps with NBA players in Chicago. In addition, Jordan appointed his old coach from the Chicago Bulls, Doug Collins, to the post of head coach of the Washington Wizards. According to many, this appointment predetermined the return of Jordan.

Washington Coming (2001-2003)

On September 25, 2001, Jordan announced his return to professional sports, announcing his intention to donate his player salary to help victims of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The 2001/02 season turned out to be unsuccessful for the team, as most of the players were injured, Jordan became the leader in scoring (22.9), assists (5.2 ) and intercepts (1.42). However, Jordan's season ended with a right knee injury after 60 games. fewer games he played only in the first season after his first return (1994/95).

Jordan played in his 14th All-Star Game in 2003, beating Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most points in the All-Star Game. This season, Jordan was the only Washington player to play in all 82 games, including 67 starting in the starting five. He averaged 20.0 points per game, 6.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game. In addition, he shot 45% from the field and 82% from the free throw line. On 20 or more points, Jordan has scored 42 times, 30 or more points nine times, and 40 or more points three times. On February 21, 2003, Jordan became the first 40-year-old player in NBA history to score 43 points in a game. During his time with the Wizards, every home game at the MCI Center was sold out, and Washington's television broadcasts were second in the NBA. Home attendance averaged 20,172 fans, while away attendance averaged 19,311 or more. Despite this, he did not lead the Wizards to the playoffs in either of the last two seasons of Jordan's career. Jordan was often dissatisfied with the performance of those around him, several times he openly criticized his teammates in the media, pointing out the lack of determination and dedication, in particular, he pointed to the 2001 Draft number one, Kwame Brown.

The 2002/03 season was Jordan's last. After last game on the floor in Chicago, Jordan was seen off with a four-minute standing ovation. On April 11, 2003, the Miami Heat retired jersey number 23, even though Jordan never played for the team. A place in the starting five of the 2003 All-Star Game, Jordan was offered by Tracy McGrady and Allen Iverson, but he turned it down. However, in the end, Michael agreed to enter the starting five instead of Vince Carter, who resigned his place under great public pressure.

Player characteristic

Jordan played shooting guard and was the team's chief offensive player (both in Chicago and Washington). NBA leader in points per game during the regular season (30.12 points per game) and playoffs (33.4 points per game). His jumping ability, demonstrated at the top throw contest when he scored from the free throw line, earned him the nickname "Air Jordan" and "his Air". He also gained a reputation as one of the best defensemen in basketball, averaging 6.2 rebounds, 0.8 blocks and 2.4 steals per game throughout his career. Jordan is the most versatile defender with excellent basketball intelligence, he is excellent at shooting, passing, playing under the shield, helping the defense. He has a unique "explosive" style of play, due to the high starting speed and the ability to change the pace of the game at the right time at speed. In addition, Jordan is distinguished by a high level of dedication - in important matches he was almost always trusted with the right to take the decisive shot. For good luck during NBA games, Jordan always wore University of North Carolina shorts under the Chicago Bulls uniform.

Jordan was moderately tall (198 cm) and impeccably built - broad shoulders, a thin waist and a minimum of fat. In addition to unique physical data, Michael had an unstoppable desire to improve his game, sports passion, and a passion for victory.

In dealing with people, Michael is always simple, friendly, tactful. Jordan sometimes showed intolerance towards teammates, Luke Longley and Toni Kukocha, he did not like and often let go of caustic remarks about them, as he believed that these two players did not always live up to the expectations placed on them.

After the end of a sports career

Jordan on the golf course. 2007

Over the following years, Jordan kept fit by playing celebrity charity golf tournaments and spending time with his family in Chicago. Michael promoted his clothing brand Jordan, and also became interested in motorsports. Since 2004, Jordan has owned the Michael Jordan Motorsports professional team, which competes with two Suzuki motorcycles in the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) premium Superbike race. In 2006, Jordan and his wife Juanita donated $5 million to Hales Franciscan High School in Chicago. On June 15, 2006, Jordan acquired a minority stake in the Charlotte Bobcats, becoming the team's second shareholder after owner Robert L. Johnson. Under the terms of the deal, Jordan became president of the basketball operations team. Jordan insisted on not being involved in the club's marketing campaigns.

Johnson put the team up for sale in the summer of 2009, and rumors immediately circulated that Jordan would seek to buy the club. In February 2010, Jordan confirmed his intentions to buy back the team's shares. The main contenders for the purchase of the team were Jordan and former Houston Rockets president George Postolos. On February 27, Johnson reached an agreement with Jordan and his partners on the terms of the sale of the Charlotte Bobcats, and on March 17, the NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved the deal. Thus, Jordan became the first former NBA player to own a controlling stake in a League club.

Jordan is not perceived as a talented manager: his transfer policy and the use of draft picks cause a huge amount of criticism. So, as the manager of basketball operations for the Washington Wizards, Jordan in the 2001 draft under the overall first number selected Kwame Brown over such basketball players as Poe Gasol, Joe Johnson and Tony Parker. And in the 2006 Draft, Jordan, already as the manager of the Charlotte Bobcats, selected Adam Morrison under the third number over such players as Brandon Roy, Rudy Gay or Rajon Rondo.

Under the new owner, the Charlotte Bobcats won only 57 of 140 games. The best achievement of the team remains reaching the playoffs in the 2009/10 season. On April 26, 2012, the Charlotte Bobcats, having lost the last match of the 2011/12 season to the New York Knicks with a score of 84:104, set the NBA anti-record for the number of victories won in the season (7 in total) - 10.6% of all matches. This is the worst win-loss ratio in the league's 65-year history. Thus, on this moment Michael Jordan is the owner the worst team in NBA history.

Heritage

Statue of Michael Jordan, officially known as Spirit

In late 1993, when Jordan announced his retirement for the first time, Chicago Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf decided upon entering new stadium"United Center" to install a sculpture in his honor. The creation of the monument was taken up by the creative married couple Julie and Omri Rotblatt-Amrani. It was decided to make the sculpture dynamic and capture Michael in the game: Jordan hovering over the abstract silhouette of his opponents, preparing to make his signature overhead throw. The statue was erected on October 31 and unveiled on November 1, 1994. The basketball player was made of bronze, and black granite was used for the pedestal, the total height is five meters. The Michael Jordan Monument is now one of Chicago's landmarks.

On September 11, 2009, Michael Jordan, famed players David Robinson and John Stockton, and Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan were inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. At a press conference announcing the new members of the Hall of Fame, the legendary Chicago Bulls guard said he was upset that he was included in their list so early:

I do not like the fact that I will be included in the Hall of Fame now, because it means that the basketball career is over. I hoped that this day would come in 20 years or after my death. Yes, this is a great achievement and a great honor for me. But I want you to always think that I can return to basketball. After all, as long as this thought remains, no one knows what will happen and what I am capable of.

Personal life

Jordan is the fourth of five children in the family. He has two older brothers, Larry Jordan and James R. Jordan Jr., one older sister, Deloris, and a younger sister, Roslyn. Jordan's brother James retired in 2006 as a command sergeant major in the 35th Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps, US Army. Michael married Juanita Vanoy in September 1989 and has three children: two sons, Jeffrey Michael (b. 1988) and Marcus James (b. 1990), and a daughter, Jasmine (b. 1992). . R.).

In 1991, Jordan purchased an estate in Highland Park, Illinois (37 km from Chicago), with an area of about 3.5 hectares, where he built a mansion with an area of approximately 17 thousand square meters. The house has 9 bedrooms, 15 bathrooms, 5 fireplaces, open tennis court, golf course, pond, swimming pool, 3 separate garages with climate control for 15 cars. Since the mid-1990s, Jordan has lived on the estate with his wife and three children. In 2001, a basketball complex was built on its territory, and the number “23” flaunts on the gates of the estate. Juanita Jordan filed for divorce on January 4, 2002, citing irreconcilable differences, but reconciled with her husband shortly thereafter.

On July 21, 2006, an Illinois court ruled that Jordan was not required to pay $5 million in damages to former secret lover Karla Knafel. Jordan paid Knafel $250,000 to keep their relationship under wraps. Knafel claimed Jordan promised her $5 million to keep quiet and agree not to file paternity after Knafel found out she was pregnant in 1991. DNA analysis showed that Jordan is not the father of the child.

The Jordans filed for divorce again and ended the marriage on December 29, 2006, stating that the decision was made "mutually and amicably." Juanita received a $168 million settlement, making the divorce the largest divorce settlement among public figures at the time. On Christmas Eve 2011, 48-year-old Jordan proposed to 32-year-old Cuban model Yvette Prieto, whom he dated for about three years. Soon the couple announced their engagement. On April 27, 2013, their wedding ceremony took place in Jupiter Island, Florida.

In 2012, the Highland Park estate went on the market for $29 million, a record price for real estate in Chicago. At the end of 2012, it became known that Jordan bought a mansion in Florida, on Jupiter Island - the island where the houses of such celebrities as golfers Tiger Woods, Gary Player and Nick Price, singers Alan Jackson and Celine Dion, and others are located. Buying a 1.2 hectare site and building a 2,600 m² mansion will cost Jordan $12.4 million. Michael, being a passionate cigar lover, intends to open a cinema for smokers on his estate, which irritates the Florida authorities, who have long been fighting smoking in the state.

Children

Both of Jordan's sons attended Loyola Academy, a private Roman Catholic school located in Wilmette, Illinois. Jeffrey graduated from high school in 2007 and played his first game for the University of Illinois on November 11, 2007. After two seasons, Jeffrey left the Illinois basketball team in 2009 but later rejoined the team. Marcus transferred to Whitney Young High School after his sophomore year and graduated in 2009. His high school team, the Chicago Whitney Young, became the Illinois State Champion. IN final game Against Waukegan, Marcus was the top scorer with 19 points and also made 4 of 4 free throws in the last 3 minutes of the game. He has been a student at the University of Central Florida since the fall of 2009.

On February 11, 2014, Jordan's wife gave birth to twin girls, who were given the names Isabelle and Victoria.

Awards and achievements

Michael Jordan was named NBA MVP five times (1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998) and NBA Finals MVP six times (1991-93, 1996-98). He is a six-time NBA champion (1991-93, 1996-98), a two-time Olympic champion (1984, 1992), participated in the National Basketball Association All-Star Game fourteen times (1985-1993, 1996-1998, 2002-2003), was recognized three times Most Valuable Player of the NBA All-Star Game (1988, 1996, 1998), 3 times elected to the Slam Dunk Contest, two-time champion top throw competition (1987, 1988). He is one of two players in the history of basketball along with LeBron James, who managed to become an Olympic champion, an NBA champion and the most valuable player of the regular season in one season. NBA leader in points per game during the regular season (30.12 points per game) and playoffs (33.4 points per game). In 1999, he was named the greatest North American athlete of the 20th century by ESPN, was second only to Babe Ruth in the list of athletes of the century according to the Associated Press. On September 11, 2009, Jordan was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Michael Jordan is one of only three American basketball players to win Olympic gold both as an amateur (in 1984, leading the national team in scoring, averaging 17.1 points per game) and as a professional (in 1992, as part of the Dream Team). During his performances in Chicago, Michael set about 200 club records, participated in 92 of the 100 highest scoring games in club history. Among them:

Member of the Basketball Hall of Fame since 2009
Member of the FIBA Hall of Fame since 2015
2x Olympic champion - 1984, 1992
6-time NBA champion: 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998
6-time NBA Finals MVP: 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998
5-time NBA regular season MVP: 1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998
7x MVP by magazine Sporting News
10-time NBA regular season scoring leader
3-time NBA regular season leader in steals
14-time NBA All-Star
3-time NBA All-Star Game MVP: 1988, 1996, 1998
2-time Slam Contest Winner: 1987, 1988
Named to the 1st NBA All-Star Team 10 times: 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998
Named to the 2nd NBA All-Star Team 1 time: 1985
9 times included in the 1st team of NBA defense stars
NBA Defensive Player of the Year: 1988
16-time NBA Player of the Month
25x NBA Player of the Week
NBA Rookie of the Year: 1984
Named to the NBA 1st Team All-Rookie: 1985
3-time NBA Rookie of the Month
USA Basketball Sportsman of the Year: 1983, 1984
Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year (ACC): 1982
2 times included in the NCAA First All-Star Team (en: 1983 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans): 1983, 1984
ACC Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year (college) (en: ACC Men's Basketball Player of the Year): 1984
Oscar Robertson Trophy (Player of the Year, College): 1984
Naismith Prize for the best student player of the year: 1984
John Wooden Trophy (en: John R. Wooden Award): 1984
Adolf Rapp Prize: 1984
Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year: 1991
Named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History: 1996
Named #1 of the 50 Greatest Players of All Time by the magazine SLAM Magazine's
Named No. 1 by Sports ESPN channel among the 100 greatest athletes of the 20th century

Basketball player Michael Jordan was born on February 17, 1963 in Brooklyn. The family was quite ordinary, no one had anything to do with basketball. Since childhood, the boy was also attracted to baseball, he even managed to get into the school team and achieve some success. But somehow overnight the interests young athlete switched to basketball. Father even built basketball court in the backyard. Michael Jordan's children were born in different marriages, until none of them followed in his footsteps.

Initially, Michael was not taken to the national team due to insufficient growth. The guy trained with all his might, perfected the jump, scored a good number of points. However, this was still not enough for the coach. The young player did not despair, at the same time he was engaged in baseball, athletics, american football. Jordan's perseverance eventually paid off: he was taken to the school team, where his older brother was already playing.

The first successes added excitement to the young player and he continued to work hard on himself. After a successful training camp at the University of North Carolina, Michael was invited to study. After some deliberation, he accepted the offer. In parallel with his studies, he continued to train with the local basketball team, achieving great success. Soon the coaches noticed him, the guy began to take part in prestigious competitions, gaining a good number of points. In the middle of the 80s, Jordan began his professional basketball career.

The personal life of Michael Jordan began to take shape towards the end of the same 80s. His first chosen one was Juanita Wana. They officially legalized their relationship in 1989, and in 1991 the athlete buys an estate for the family. In this union, Michael had three children: sons Jeffrey and Marcus, and daughter Jasmine. Like a bolt from the blue in 2002, the news of the divorce of the Jordan family was heard. They cited irreconcilable differences as the reason. However, this time the couple managed to resolve the conflict and the divorce did not take place.

In the photo: Michael Jordan with his first wife and children

Another scandalous news was not long in coming. As it turned out in 2006, Michael had a mistress, whom he paid decent sums for silence. In 1991, Clara Knaifel allegedly became pregnant from an athlete and filed a lawsuit against him, but the court rejected it. DNA testing did not confirm Jordan's paternity. And here family life the basketball player was completely destroyed, this time the divorce proceedings were completed. Former spouse then received a record amount of compensation.

Five years after the divorce, Michael remarried 32-year-old model Yvette Prieto. The athlete sold his estate and bought a mansion in Florida. In 2014, the family was replenished with two twin girls, whom they decided to name Isabelle and Victoria. While the relationship between the spouses is going well, they often pose together in front of the cameras. However, Michael does not give much comments on the topic of his personal life. The athlete often clashes with Florida authorities because of his positive attitude towards smoking. As you know, the authorities are actively fighting smokers and demand not to encourage lovers of this addiction.

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