Shooting Guard: Michael Jordan
After Hakeem Olajuwon and Sam Bowie were taken by the Houston Rockets and the Portland Trail Blazers, respectively, the Bulls took Jordan with the third overall pick in the 1984 NBA Draft.
Oddly enough, the team was not totally sold on Jordan’s potential, as evidenced by the comments from then general manage Rod Thorn.
From Chicagotribune.com.
"“We’ve taken a step in the right direction. Jordan isn’t going to turn this franchise around. I wouldn’t ask him to. I wouldn’t put that kind of pressure on him. He’s a very good offensive player, but not an overpowering offensive player.”"
Needless to say, based on the list of the accomplishments below, Thorn’s assessment was not an accurate one.
- Six-time NBA champion
- Six-time NBA Finals MVP
- 10-time All-NBA First Team
- Nine-time NBA All-Defensive First Team
- Defensive Player of the Year (1988)
- Chicago’s all-time leading scorer
- 10 scoring titles — an NBA record and seven consecutive (1987-93), matching Wilt Chamberlain
- Retired with the NBA’s highest scoring average of 30.1 points per game
- Hall of Fame inductee (2009)
Not only did Jordan put up incredible numbers, he was the epitome of style and grace on the court.
Check out this triple-pump layup against New Jersey Nets.
How about this switch-handed layup against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 2 of the 1991 NBA Finals?
Furthermore, when the game was on the line, there was no one you wanted taking the last shot other than his Airness.
And on the league’s biggest stage, Jordan hit shot
After shot.
After game-winning shot.
Whether Jordan is the greatest player in the history of the NBA is a debate that will more than likely go on for many years.
More hoops habit: Chicago Bulls: 2016 Offseason Grades
What is a certainty is that you can’t talk about the history of the Bulls without mentioning his name, thus making him the franchise’s greatest shooting guard and player of all time.