Nobody has influenced the basketball world quite like Michael Jordan. His filigree and at the same time dominant game and his global marketing have made him the most famous NBA player in the world. Despite his huge influence, the Chicago Bulls player has mostly remained silent on social and political issues. The legend turns 60 today.
Michael Jordan says he started smoking cigars in 1991. Two years later he smoked almost every day. However, that did not prevent him from dominating the North American professional basketball league NBA with the Chicago Bulls during this time. Even then, the name Michael Jordan stood for something special – on and off the field.
Jordan as the outstanding individualist of the Chicago Bulls
It had previously taken Jordan just three seasons to rank among the best players in NBA history in one important category – point average. As a 23-year-old, he was averaging 37 points per game over a season, an incredible feat only two players have ever matched that.
From that 1986 season at the latest, it became clear that defending Jordan one-on-one is next to impossible. But over time, NBA teams adapt to standout players and tactically rearrange their defenses. Jordan had trouble with that at first. His Chicago Bulls played well but kept missing their goal, the NBA Finals.
Success came with trust in the players
Anyone who can score well in the NBA is difficult to defend, but calculable for defensives. However, if you can score well and see your free teammates in the decisive moments, you will bring opposing defenses to collapse. Jordan learned that over time and kept trusting his teammates in important moments – and success came promptly.
This was followed by six NBA championships and numerous individual awards in eight years. After his first three titles with the Bulls, Michael Jordan shocked the basketball world with his retirement in 1993. The then by far best NBA player in the world was burned out, had no desire or strength for basketball and instead played baseball, much worse, but still at a high level.
Michael Jordan and Bulls coach Phil Jackson
Advertising icon Jordan made basketball sexy
After about a year and a half, the comeback followed, three more championships with the Bulls, another resignation, another comeback at the age of 38 and two more seasons with the Washington Wizards. After that it was finally over on the court.
However, Jordan’s influence was lasting. His style of play had made the NBA “sexy”. Clever passing feints, athletic layups, fast footwork, spectacular dunks – everyone wanted to be like Jordan. The advertising slogan “Be like Mike” a beverage manufacturer helped. Jordan inspired generations of young basketball players, made the sport known worldwide.
Jordan was the face of many major advertising campaigns and made his mark as a businessman early on. In cooperation with a large sporting goods manufacturer, he established his own brand, whose basketball shoes are among the most popular in the USA.
Social Justice: Jordan remained silent
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who was one of the best-known NBA players before the Jordan era, campaigned against social injustice during his career and afterwards, and fought for the rights of the black community. In a 2015 interview on US radio station “NPR” he criticized Jordan and accused him of putting his conscience on the back burner: “If you’re concerned about human and civil rights, you can’t be afraid that your shoes won’t sell well.”
Sporting and economic success had always been important to Jordan, he did not comment on social and political issues. Black communities in particular had hoped that Jordan, like other black players, would publicly support black politicians in the fight against racism and equality and were disappointed. Only seven years ago, Jordan spoke out clearly against social injustice in an interview.
Jordan makes most of his fortune off the pitch
Compared to today’s NBA standards, Michael Jordan didn’t make much money as a player. Around $90 million in 15 seasons. LeBron James is making more than that with his current contract in just two seasons. Jordan has made his money mainly off the field with advertising deals and investments. According to Forbes magazine, Jordan’s net worth is currently $1.7 billion.
In 2010, Jordan invested $300 million in the NBA team Charlotte Hornets (then: Bobcats) and has led it since then as the majority owner and owner. With three short playoff participations in 13 seasons, the sporting record is poor. “Forbes” estimated the value of the franchise last year at $ 1.7 billion.
For many fans and pundits, Michael Jordan is the best basketball player ever. Even if such debates can of course never be answered objectively: the fact is that his game and his personality triggered a worldwide hype from which the basketball world still benefits today, 20 years after he stopped playing actively.