Michael Jordan
...oot injury for most of the season and was sidelined. He finally convinced the Bulls coaches to let him play. They did and he led them to the playoffs. The Boston Celtics beat them pretty easily, but Jordan scored 49 points in the first game and 63 in the second. Michael continued to lead the Bulls to the playoffs throughout the 90’s, never winning a championship. Everyone started to question his ability and criticize his inability to win a championship. In 1991, the players around Jordan began to get better and he finally won that first NBA championship. Everyone thought that was a fluke, but Jordan proved them wrong when the Chicago Bulls became the first team in thirty years to win three consecutive NBA championships. Jordan led the 1992 Olympic team to another gold medal; only this team had many other professionals on it and was labeled the “Dream Team.” Michael Jordan retired from the NBA in 1993, saying that he wanted to be remembered as the player he was now, not someone whose hands had been slowed, who’s eyesight was blurred, and abilities were lost (Michael Jordan 2). Michael’s father always wanted him to play professional baseball. In 1994, he announced he was trying out for the major leagues. He played with the Chicago White Sox minor league team and was frustrated with his .202 batting average. The 1994 baseball season was shortened by a strike, and Jordan announced he was ending his quest to be a minor league baseball player. Jordan returned to the NBA on March 3, 1995, joining the Bulls in mid-season. Jordan lead the team to championships in 1996, 97, and 98 (Michael Jordan 3). Michael Jordan’s endorsement career has also been a very successful one. Michael is one of the most well known television figures, dealing with sports. Even people that don’t watch basketball know the face of Michael Jordan. He has been associated with many commercial products such as Nike’s Air Jordan footwear, Wheaties cereal, McDonalds hamburger, Hanes underwear, and Gatorade sports drink. Jordan’s combination of natural charms and his great basketball skills have earned him millions of dollars each year dealing with nothing but endorsements. Jordan is more of an entertainer, actor, and athlete all in one person. David Halberstam wrote, “Jordan is the first super-athlete of the satellite age, the first professional player to benefit on a grand scale from a global audience for his talents and his products. Jordan has created a kind of fame that exceeds sports.” (Michael Jordan 1). Michael Jordan could have made a better career, money-wise, out of just commercials, television, magazine, and endorsements than most people make in their entire life. Everyone says he is such a good endorser, but if he were not any good in basketball, no one would buy his products. He has to credit all of his endorsements to being a great basketball player (Michael Jordan 1). While playing basketball, Michael Jordan has achieved many awards and honors. Some of his most prestigious awards occurred while the Chicago Bulls were winning NBA Championships. Some of Michael Jordan’s personal awards include a spot on the NBA’s 50th Anniversary all-time team, a member of six NBA championship teams, six-time NBA finals most valuable player, ten-time All-NBA second team, nine-time NB...