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Birth of a Legend
Michael Jeffrey Jordan was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Deloris and James R Jordan, Sr. Jordan attended Emsley A. Laney High School in Wilmington, NC, where he played baseball, football, and basketball. Jordan became the star of Laney's junior varsity squad, and tallied several 40 point games. Upon earning a spot on the varsity roster, Jordan averaged about 20 points per game over his final final two seasons of high school. As a senior, he was selected to the McDonald's All-American Team. -
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Tracking Greatness
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Chapel Hill Bound
Jordan earned a basketball scholarship to the University of North Carolina. As a freshman, he was named ACC Freshman of the Year after he averaged 13.4 points per game on 53.4% shooting. He made the game-winning jump shot in the 1982 NCAA Championship game against Georgetown. During his three seasons at North Carolina, he averaged 17.7 ppg on 54% shooting, and 5 rebounds per game. After winning the Naismith and Player of the Year award, Jordan left UNC a year early to enter the NBA draft in 1984 -
Big Leagues
Jordan was signed as the Chicago Bulls number one draft choice. Jordan was chosen third overall in the 1984 NBA Draft, behind Hakeem Olajuwon and Sam Bowie. -
Right outa the Gate
During his first season in the NBA, Jordan averaged 28.2 ppg with a 51.5 field goal percentage. He quickly became a fan favorite and appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated with the heading "A Star is Born" just over a month into his professional career. Jordan was also voted in as an All-Star starter by the fans in his rookie season. -
A King is Born
LeBron Raymone James was born on Dec. 30, 1984 in Akron, Ohio to Gloria James and Anthony McClelland. McClelland wasn't a part of Gloria's life, leaving her to raise LeBron alone at the age of 16. Gloria James began dating Eddie Jackson when LeBron was a young child. Despite Jackson being in and out of jail for most of LeBron's youth, James formed a bond with him. -
The Rookie
Jordan received the Rookie of the Year Award for the 1984-85 season. -
Lights Out
The Chicago Bulls met the Boston Celtics in round one of the 1986 NBA Playoffs, where the bulls were ultimately swept, but not before Jordan hung 63 points against the Boston powerhouse in game 2. Jordan still holds the record for most points in a playoff game. -
Offense is Good, Defense is Better
Jordan led the league in scoring in the 1987–88 season, averaging 35.0 ppg and a 53.5 field goal percentage, winning him his first league Most Valuable Player award. He was also named the Defensive Player of the Year, averaging 1.6 blocks and a league high 3.16 steals per game. -
The Champ is Here
The Chicago Bulls met the Magic Johnson led, Los Angeles Lakers in the 1991 NBA Finals, where Jordan and the Bulls would be victorious, giving Jordan his first NBA title, as well as his first NBA Finals MVP Award. -
Most Valuabe
Jordan receives his second MVP Award. -
Times Two
The Chicago Bulls faced the Portland Trailblazers, who were equiped with legend, Clyde "The Glide" Drexler. Jordan and the Bulls were victorious through 6 games, giving MJ and Chicago their second straight NBA title. Jordan also won his second League MVP award. -
I Have a Dream Team
Jordan was also a member of the 1992 Summer Olympic Basketball team. It wasn't until 1989 that professional athletes were eligible to participate in Olympic games. The force of the team was seem by their 40+ point margin of victory over their opponents, and ultimately defeated Croatia 117-85 to secure a gold medal. -
3's Company
The '93 NBA Finals was another clash of the titans, as Jordan and the Bulls ran into physical and tough, Charles Barkley and the Phoenix Suns. Jordan and his gang deemed to be too tough, as they defeated the Suns in 6 games, capturing their third straight NBA title, and a third NBA FInals MVP trophy for Jordan. Jordan also received the League MVP award for a third time. -
Saying Goodbye
On October 6, 1993, Jordan announced his retirement, claiming a loss of desire to play the game. Jordan later stated that the murder of his father earlier in the year shaped his decision. James R. Jordan, Sr. was murdered on July 23, 1993, at a highway rest area in Lumberton, North Carolina, by two teenagers, Daniel Green and Larry Martin Demery. The assailants were traced from calls they made on James Jordan's cellular phone, caught, convicted, and sentenced to life in prison. -
BASEketball Player
On Feb. 7, 1994, Jordan signed a free agent contract with the White Sox. After three months of training camp, Jordan started his first professional baseball game in right field for the Triple-A Birmingham Barons. For the season, Jordan batted .202 with 51 RBIs, 30 stolen bases and 114 strikeouts in 127 games. The following spring, Jordan, the White Sox, and baseball, parted ways. -
Return of "His Airness"
Jordan returned to the hardwood, wearing number 45, the same number he wore during his junior high school and pro baseball days. -
Father's Day Gift
In the '96 NBA Finals, the Bulls and MJ squared off against the Seattle Supersonics. After a tough series, the Bulls finally sealed the deal in 6 games, which landed on Father's Day, where after winning, cameras found a mourning Jordan on the locker room floor clutching a ball, remembering his late father. The bittersweet moment was Jordan and the Bulls' fourth NBA title, and fourth NBA Finals MVP award for MJ. He also was named League MVP for a fourth time. -
High Fives
Jordan and the Bulls met their rivals, the Utah Jazz in the '97 NBA Finals. Despite having the flu in game 5, an overconquering Jordan and thirsty Bulls defeated the Jazz in 6 games, giving Jordan his fifth championship, as well as a fifth Finals MVP Award. -
Last Shot
Jordan and the Bulls met the rivaled Utah Jazz again in the finals in '98. Jordan scored 45 points in game 6 to secure a sixth NBA title, a sixth FInals MVP award, and a fifth League MVP award. Jordan's shot over Byron Russell as time was winding down was one of the last images of Michael Jordan taking, and making the game winning shot. -
For Good
Michael Jordan announces his retirement from the NBA for a second time. -
FRESH man
LeBron James attended St. Vincent–St. Mary High School in Akron, where he became a starter during his freshman year for the Fighting Irish. He averaged 21 points and 6.2 rebounds, and led the team to a 23–1 record, en route to the Division III state title during the 1999-2000 season. -
Super Sophomore
In his sophomore year, James averaged 25.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 3.8 steals.[2] He led the team to a 26–1 record and a Division III state title for the second straight season. He was the first sophomore to be named Ohio's "Mr. Basketball" and became the first sophomore ever selected to the USA Today All-USA First Team. -
Year 3
In James' junior year his stats improved again. He averaged 29.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 3.3 steals and was again named Mr. Basketball of Ohio. He earned a spot on the All-USA First Team, and was named the 2001–2002 boys' basketball Gatorade National Player of the Year. It was at this time that his nickname "King James" became a household staple in Ohio. -
Final Chapter
The Irish won a third state title during James' senior year, where he averaging 31.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 3.4 steals on the season. James was named to the All-USA First Team for a third time, and was selected as Mr. Basketball of Ohio for the third year in a row. He earned MVP honors at the McDonald's All-American Game, the EA Sports Roundball Classic, and the Jordan Capital Classic. James finished his high school career with 2,657 points, 892 rebounds and 523 assists. -
King Emerges
With the first pick in the 2003 NBA draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select, LeBron James, St. Vincent-St. Mary's High School. -
Instant Rookie
James received a total of 508 points, including 78 first-place votes out of a possible 118, from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada which ultimately deemed him the Rookie of the Year in '04. James is the only player in Cleveland Cavaliers history to be named Rookie of the Year and is the youngest player in NBA history to capture the honor. -
Change of Pace
For the first time since 1998, James led the Cavaliers to the NBA playoffs, but were bounced by the Detroit Pistons in the first round. -
Valuables
James was named NBA Most Valuable Player during the 2008-09 season. -
Recognition
Michael Jordan was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. -
Double Up
James captured his second straight Most Valuable Player Award after the 2009-10 season. -
Came Up Short
After his first season with the Miami Heat, James, along with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh came up short in the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavs won the series in 6 games.
