Continuing along with the obvious choices, I'll write this week about the Greatest NBA Player of All-Time: Michael Jordan. Sure, there have been some great players in the NBA (especially some that are before my time), but Jordan revolutionized the game. It took two players in the 80s - Larry Bird and Magic Johnson - to save the NBA, but it only took Jordan and his Bulls in the 90s to keep fans interested. Not only was he one of the greatest marketed players of all-time, but he had the tremendous skill to back it up on the court.

There is one thing with Jordan that isn't present with any other athlete. I can guarantee that every single person reading this blog has bought at least one product because it was endorsed by Jordan. Each and every single one of us has bought a Jordan jersey, Gatorade, Hanes, McDonald's, Rayovac batteries, or even Jordan shoes because they were pushed by the greatest basketball player of all-time.

Jordan's accolades include:

- 5-time NBA MVP (1988, 91, 92, 96, 98 )
- 6-time NBA Champion (1991-93, 1996-98 )
- 6-time Finals MVP (1991-93, 1996-98 )
- NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1988 )
- 10-time All-NBA First Team (1987-93, 96-98 )
- 9-time All-NBA Defensive Team (1988-93, 96-98 )
- 1985 NBA Rookie of the Year
- 14-time NBA All-Star (1985-93, 96-98, 2002-03)
- 3-time All Star Game MVP (1988, 96, 98 )
- 2-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest Winner (1987-88 )
- NBA 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
- 1991 SI Sportsman of the Year
- 2000 ESPY Athlete of the Century
- 1990s ESPY's Male Athlete Decade Award
- 1990s ESPY's Pro Basketballer Decade Award

Jordan had an injury-filled and hate-filled (from the players) early career, and then he couldn't get past the Pistons in the middle of his career. Then in the 1991-92 season, Jordan finally got his Bulls over the hump and won the NBA title along with his second MVP Award. The Bulls also won the title the next two years, and Jordan became the best and most popular player in the NBA.


The Man.

In 1993, however, Jordan decided to retire at just 30 years old. Mike originally stated that he had lost a desire to play the game, but eventually admitted that his father's murder earlier in the year also contributed. After retiring from basketball, Jordan signed a contract to play baseball with the Chicago White Sox. Michael wanted to pursue a major league baseball career, because that was the dream of his father. Unfortunately, baseball didn't work out for Mike, as he never made it out of the minor league system for the White Sox.

Jordan announced "I'm back" in 1995, as the rest of the NBA quaked in its collective boots. The Bulls made it to the Eastern Conference semifinals in Jordan's first year back, but then started their second 3-peat the following season.

Jordan retired again following his sixth championship, but returned just two years later to play a couple of seasons for the Washington Wizards, a team that he owned in part.

Jordan's legacy is still felt today, as he remains one of the most popular athletes in the world. His Jordan shoes are still selling like hotcakes, in this their 23rd year in existence (there was a promotion from Nike a few months ago in honor of that accomplishment).

As it says on his bio on NBA Encyclopedia entry, "By acclimation, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all-time." And the rest of us say, "Of course."

Others might say:

2. Wilt Chamberlain. A revolutionary center, "Wilt the Stilt" dominated basketball in the 60s, winning 2 titles and 4 MVPs.

3. Bill Russell. Bill is one of the players that is before my time, but I can still recognize greatness when I see it. Probably the best defensive player to ever step on a court, Russell was a 12-time All-Star, 5-time MVP, and 11-time champion. If he had been more of an offensive stalwart, he might be number one on this list.

4. Larry Bird. He helped save the NBA in the 80s, and he also had an OK career while doing so: 3-time champ and 3-time MVP. Plus, he beat out Magic for Rookie of the Year in 1980.

5. Oscar Robertson. "The Big O" redefined the point guard spot, and he even wrestled an MVP away from Russell and Wilt in 1964. He was one of the best offensive players ever, and was also one of the most versatile, averaging a triple double for an entire season.

6. Magic Johnson. He won 5 titles and 3 MVPs in the same era as Bird, but his career was shortened when he was diagnosed with AIDS.

7. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He was the greatest college player, but he also had one helluva pro career as well.

8. Rick Barry. He sure could hit some free throws.

9. John Havlicek. I'd like to put him higher because he's a Buckeye, but this is about where he belongs.

10. Shaquille O'Neal. He's not done yet, but the way he was able to dominate in this era of big men has been impressive.

Other sports:
NFL Coach - Bill Walsh
CBB Player - Lew Alcindor
CBB Coach - John Wooden