Michael Jordan was an incredible superstar throughout the course of his career in the NBA. Jordan came into the NBA in 1984 and went on to dominate throughout his entire stint with the Chicago Bulls, eventually walking away from the game in 1998, before eventually returning in 2002 for what many consider an informal retirement tour.
Jordan had an incredible rookie season, for which he was named the 1985 Rookie Of The Year, and made the All-Rookie First Team. But on top of that, Jordan was also named to the All-NBA Second Team. While some might wonder why Jordan didn't make the first team, given the list of legendary, and also experienced, names in the first team, fans will understand.
The 1985 All-NBA First Team included Isiah Thomas, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Bernard King, and Moses Malone. While Jordan did eventually surpass these players in his career, the fact that he was even close to competing with them in his rookie season, while these players were well into their primes.
Jordan's rookie season was incredible, where he showed the NBA world why he was to be feared and revered. He entered the season after signing a $500,000 5-year contract with Nike. Nike had conditions for Jordan as he entered the NBA, saying that he needed to at least average 20 points per game or win Rookie Of The Year, among other conditions. Jordan easily fulfilled all those conditions.
After his first game in the NBA, MJ was asked about the transition from the collegiate game to the NBA, to which he had a classic response, where he said it was pretty easy. Jordan went on to average 28.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 2.4 assists across his rookie year.
MJ went on to have many such incredible seasons. In fact, he became the only player in NBA history to win the NBA championship, Finals MVP, regular-season MVP, scoring title, and make an All-Defensive First Team all in the same season, and did it 4 times across his career.
More must-reads: