The Career and Records of Michael Jordan

By Dan Holmes Contributor Updated: 17 October 2024

Dan Holmes Contributor

Dan Holmes, a content creator and sports betting enthusiast, brings over a decade of experience to Betting.US. His extensive writing background spans from the internet to prestigious roles at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Dan’s articles, featured on numerous websites, cover various sports, from bowling to disc golf.

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The Career and Records of Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan, often hailed as the epitome of basketball excellence, has a career replete with achievements that boggle the mind. His records defy the norms of human endeavor. His journey from a promising college athlete to an NBA legend is filled with triumphs, trials, and the occasional existential crisis that saw him retire not once, not twice, but thrice.

When you bet on NBA games, you want to identify stars like Jordan who have the killer instinct to get to the basket. That’s what made MJ a transcendent force in pro basketball, as well as the international FIBA stage.

College Star for North Carolina

Jordan’s ascent began at the University of North Carolina, where he clinched the NCAA title in 1982, delivering a game-winning shot that would foreshadow his propensity for dramatic flair. This victory was merely a precursor to a cascade of Michael Jordan accolades that would follow.

Entering the NBA in 1984, Jordan quickly became the Chicago Bulls’ savior, transforming a mediocre team into a dynasty. His six NBA titles, all with the Bulls, were punctuated by two three-peats (1991-1993, 1996-1998), an astonishing feat that cemented his status in the annals of the sport.

Jordan’s list of honors is extensive. He amassed five NBA MVPs, an accolade indicative of his dominance and unparalleled skill. The “Michael Jordan Awards” section in any respectable sports encyclopedia would also highlight his 10 scoring titles, evidence of his offensive prowess.

However, it is his Defensive Player of the Year award in 1988 that underscores his versatility. Not content with merely dazzling on the offensive end, Jordan’s defensive acumen was integral to the Bulls’ success. He was a nine-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection, further embellishing the list of Michael Jordan defensive awards.

MJ Awards

Member of the Basketball Hall of Fame (2009)
6× NBA Champion (1991-1993, 1996-1998)
Michael Jordan MVPs: 5× NBA MVP (1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998)
14× NBA All-Star (1985-1993, 1996-1998, 2002, 2003)
10× All-NBA First Team (1987-1993, 1996-1998)
Michael Jordan defensive awards: NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1988)
9× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1988-1993, 1996-1998)
NBA Rookie of the Year (1985)
10× NBA Scoring Champion (1987-1993, 1996-1998)
3× NBA Steals Leader (1988, 1990, 1993)
2× NBA Slam Dunk Contest Champion (1987, 1988)
6× NBA Finals MVP (1991-1993, 1996-1998)
Member of the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
Member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
NCAA Champion (1982)
2× Olympic Gold Medalist (1984, 1992)
Uniform No. 23 retired by the University of North Carolina and Chicago Bulls

But no chronicle of Jordan’s career would be complete without a mention of his intermittent relationship with retirement. The first came in 1993, following the tragic murder of his father. Jordan’s subsequent foray into professional baseball with the Birmingham Barons was, to put it mildly, less illustrious.

Yet, he returned to the NBA in 1995 with the succinct declaration, “I’m back.” This comeback precipitated another triumvirate of championships. Jordan’s second retirement in 1999 was as fleeting as his baseball career, as he returned to play two final, less remarkable seasons with the Washington Wizards before retiring for good in 2003.

Michael Jordan MVPs were numerous, and his on-court exploits were lauded by peers and pundits alike.

Bob Costas once opined, “He’s the best player I’ve ever seen, and it’s not even close.”

Magic Johnson declared, “There’s Michael Jordan and then there is the rest of us.”

Getting Past the Pistons

Despite these encomiums, Jordan’s road was not without obstacles. The Detroit Pistons, with their notorious “Bad Boys,” proved a formidable nemesis, often thwarting the Bulls in the late 1980s before Jordan finally overcame them. The Pistons beat Jordan and the Bulls more than any other team in his prime. Even with the multiple Michael Jordan MVPs in the 1980s, Chicago couldn’t vanquish the Pistons until Detroit’s stars grew long in the tooth.

Jordan also left an incredible statistical record once he finally hung up his NBA jersey. When Jordan retired from the NBA in 2003, he held numerous records and impressive rankings in key statistical categories.

Jordan was the all-time leader in points per game, averaging 30.1, and ranked third in total points scored with 32,292 at the time he retired. He secured ten scoring titles, the most in NBA history, highlighting his offensive skill. Additionally, he was third in steals with 2,514, showcasing his devastating defensive capabilities.

Want single-game dominance? MJ had that too. Jordan put up an impressive 31 games in which he scored 50 or more points. This ranks him second all-time in NBA history for most 50-point games, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain, who had a staggering 118 such games.

The GOAT? Was Jordan Better than Kareem or Magic?

Now, the perennial debate: Was Michael Jordan the greatest NBA player ever? While his career is festooned with “MJ awards,” one might argue that the significance of a player lies not just in personal accolades but in overall impact.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, with his record six MVPs and longevity that saw him play 20 seasons, arguably provided more sustained value to his teams. Abdul-Jabbar’s skyhook was as indefensible as Jordan’s fadeaway, and his contributions on both ends of the floor were equally monumental.

Michael Jordan’s legacy is not merely about the innumerable Michael Jordan accolades or the glittering Michael Jordan Awards. It is about the indelible mark he left on the sport, the countless young athletes he inspired, and the enduring image of a player who seemed to defy gravity itself. He was a transcendent figure, yes, but perhaps not the solitary apex predator in the jungle of basketball greatness. The debate will rage on, as it should, for what is sport without a little mythmaking and the occasional touch of hyperbole?