Bulls Played It By the Numbers

The Chicago Bulls may have another number they should hang from the rafters - 17. After all, the number 17 has been pretty significant for the most important player in franchise history (and among the most important in the NBA) - Michael Jordan. Jordan was born on the 17th of February. As a freshman at the University of North Carolina, Jordan hit the game winning shot over Georgetown in the 1982 NCAA Championship game - with 17 second left. He played 15 NBA seasons, as well as on 2 Olympic Gold Medal teams...15 +2 = 17. He was a 6'6" swingman who could play both the 2 and the 3 positions...6+6+2+3=17. He won 6 NBA Championships, was named Finals MVP 6 times, and NBA MVP 5 times...6+6+5= 17. All 6 of his NBA Championships came while wearing #23...take those 6 away from 23, and you're left with 17. He won the NBA scoring title 10 times, while winning it for 7 consecutive seasons...10+7=17. Throughout his career, he wore the numbers 23, 45, and 9...1 man, 77 numbers (23+45+9=77). He won his 1st NBA Championship in his 7th NBA season. After 17 years of marriage, Jordan and his wife divorced....oh wait, that's not a good thing. And, now, 17 years after Jordan won his 1st NBA Championship, the Chicago Bulls have the first pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. They may have had only a 1.7% chance to win, but I'm sure they wouldn't have had it any other way.