basketball – Michael Jordan – A Sports Persona the Will Never Be Paralleled
This morning I woke up at 7 am and, in my normal routine, I switched on NBA TV. The 1988 All-Star game was playing. While composing my “Tendon-Gate” article, and hearing Dick Stockton doing the play by play in the background, I had to stop and watch.
“Tendon-Gate” was on hold for now…
As I watched, I realized this may have been the game that encompassed everything the 1980′s were. As the decade was winding down and the NBA greats of that era were moving passed their prime, this exhibition was extremely hard fought with a blend of fundamentals and gritty determination – qualities that are far lacking in today’s All-Star games.
These guys wanted to defeat their peers, they saw this game as less of an exhibition for fun and more of an artistic exhibit of talent in a 5 on 5 competition of who is the best conference – not player.
Until today, I never realized what a bridge year 1988 was. The natural evolution of the game was perfectly displayed in Chicago Stadium on that Sunday afternoon.
Jordan entered a league dominated by Magic, Doctor J., Larry, Kareem and Moses. Among those titans of basketball, Jordan managed to captivate the sporting world while playing for an untalented Bulls team.
Jordan’s career seemed to reach new levels each season but his team was not always recognized as the second (behind Russell’s Celtics) greatest dynasty in basketball history.
Though MJ led his Bulls to the 8th seed playoff spot his first several seasons, a feat that is underappreciated on Chicago teams that were untalented and under achieving, his early career was marred by injuries and controversies caused by jealous opponents.
The NBA’s most jealous superstar, Isiah Thomas, unsurprisingly led the charge in 1984. Michael Jordan was voted as a starter, by the fans, to the all-star game in his rookie season. Isiah, feeling the attention Jordan was receiving was unjust, led a player revolt in the all-star game. In a move most forgotten for unsportsmanlike behavior, Isiah refused to pass Michael the ball throughout the game.
Jordan went on to win Rookie of the Year honors and his battles with Isiah had just begun.
His next two seasons were busted by foot and knee problems.
In 1986, Jordan returned from knee surgery in time to face the Boston Celtics in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Though the Bulls were swept by Larry’s Celtics, Jordan managed to set an unbroken playoff record of 63 points in game 2.
8. Oscar Robertson
Considered by many to be the perfect all around skilled player. In only his second NBA season he averaged a triple double for an entire season! Robertson won one NBA championship and had career averages of 25.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG and 9.5 APG.
9. Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille also known as “Shaq” has dominated the Paint and dunked on opposing players at an alarming rate. At 7″1 and 325 pounds O’Neal is a physical force that can not be stopped. Shaq dominated the late 90′s and into the new millenium Winning 4 NBA Championships with career averages of 24.7 PPG and 11.2 RPG with a .582 FG %.
An unstoppable Post up game he is the most feared big man to ever put on a NBA jersey. Poor free throw shooting and not much outside shooting range are some of his few weaknesses.
10. Tim Duncan
Probably one of the most underrated yet most fundamental player on this list. Tim Duncan has a huge basketball IQ and knows how to play the game as it should be played.Some of Duncans many skills include great footwork, excellent bank shots and being able to change opposing players shots. Quietly winning 4 NBA championships he has amassed career averages of 21.4 PPG and 11.7 RPG and 2.3 BPG.
These are my top 10 NBA players of all time. Some players who are still competing have a chance to maybe make this list in the future notably Kobe Bryant, Lebron James and Dwayne Wade
Resource Author Francisco R. Higueras
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