Michael Jordan Essay Summary Example For Students

Michael Jordan Essay Summary WhoInfluenced Michael Jordan to Become the Player and Person He is Today?Welleveryone has theyre own opinion about Michael Jordan, but one thing iscertain, he is a phenomenal athlete with a unique combination of grace, power,artistry and the improvisational ability. He is not only the top player of hisEra, but is quite possibly the best player to wear the uniform of a NBA team. Heis the most recognizable athlete in the world and is believed to be the bestthere ever was, is, or ever will be. (NBA.com) A person to this magnitude hasobviously a success, being able to have a family of his own and, knowing thatthere are thousands of people looking up to him, and being many peoples idol. To be able to stand the pressure of being a national symbol of greatness, youhave to have a driving force. This driving force has been known to be the edge alot of people have needed to make it over. Michael Jordans family helped himto fight and become one of the most influential, successful, and professionalsports figures ever. Body Michael Jeffrey Jordan was born on February 17, 1963,in Brooklyn, NY, to a proud Deloris and James Jordan. (Nba.com; BioLife.com) Nowthis very first point may seem like no big deal but its something in itself. Jordan almost wasnt born. In 1963, when Deloris was carrying Mike her motherdied unexpectedly causing her to fall into a deep depression and stress period. Fearing a miscarriage the family doctor ordered her to bed rest. (Greene 12;NBA.com) I Davis 3 always said that Michaels birth was like a sign. I lostmy mother while I was carrying Michael, and he was my godsend. Michael was thehappiness he sent me after a very sad time in my life. Deloris (qtd. InHalberstam 48) The near miscarriage was very bad. James (qtd. inHalberstam 49) Michael the Jordans 4th child lived in a pretty much averagehouse, which was on the lower end of the economic pool. When Mike was 2 he had areally close brush with death. James (Mikes father) was outside tuning up hiscar at his parents house. The ground was still soaked from the earlier downpour. Two extension cords let him stretch a lamp from the kitchen outlet to under thehood of his car. During his labor he saw something out of the corner of his eye. Mike had escaped his playpen and, was on his way to make it a father- son-project. James ran towards him bit it was too late. Mike walked right into thejunction of the wires and began playing with them. A sudden surge of currentsent him flying back about 3 feet, where he landed in too much shock to cry. (Greats of the Game.com; BioLife.com) James put a net up in the backyard and theboys played all the time. Michaels older brother Larry always beat him. Growing up Mikes favorite sport was baseball, and he was quite good too! Hewas the MVP of Dixie League and received a scholarship to Mickey Owen BaseballCamp. Michael got better at basketball and, decided to try out for the VarsityLaney High Basketball Team but, wasnt good enough as a sophomore. Jordan, asa sophomore, played on JV and, averaged 27.8 PPG. Jordan after junior year wasDavis 4 invited to play at the 5-star Camp where colleges recruited. MJ won 10trophies including 2 MVPs. The University of North Carolina recruited Jordan. Dean Smith the winningest coach in NCAA basketball history coached Mike. (Greene52; Halberstam 27, BioLife.com) Most people thought that Mike would come and sitthe bench. They were startled when they found out he was a season openerstarter. (NBA.com) Mike had a great time playing for UNC, and his nest move wasto become eligible for the NBA draft. Mike was 3rd pick behind Hakeem Olajuwon(Houston) and Sam Bowie (Portland) (GreatsoftheGame.com) MJ of course, wasdrafted by the Chicago Bulls. He was playing there and doing well. Bringing homeall types of titles, championships, and MVPs. Then suddenly everythingchanged. On July 23, 1993, James Jordan was taking a rest in his car, when hewoke up and saw a gun pointed to his head. He was shot in what was called arandom robbery. JORDAN LOST HIS BEST FRIEND! Later on October 6, of that sameyear, Jordan shocked friends and fans by announcing his