'He had a 10% chance of re-cracking his foot' - Michael Jordan foot wasn't completely healed when he scored 63 points against Bird's Celtics

Michael Jordan took the NBA by storm in his rookie year by averaging 28.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 2.4 steals. He was crowned Rookie of the Year and the NBA's next big star. And so basketball fans all over the world hotly anticipated his sophomore year. Will he average over 40 points per game and lead the Chicago Bulls to a title?

Their fantasies were erased when the "Black Cat" broke his right foot in the third game of the year, which caused him to miss 64 games. Given the severity of the injury, some felt the young Mike would never be the same again.

The comeback

However, the North Carolina standout returned just in time to play a couple of regular-season games and the NBA Playoffs. As the eighth seed, the Bulls faced the mighty Boston Celtics, led by Larry Bird. Discussions between the front office and coaching staff revolved around Jordan's health.

While the franchise had the youngest and hottest talent in town, there was no match for the Celtics, who were kings of the hardcourt during those days. Maybe it was better if they let their young star rest. According to Mike Downey, a columnist for the Los Angeles Times, Michael's foot wasn't completely healed.

"[Owner Jerry] Reinsdorf wasn't sure MJ should go," Downey said, per ESPN. "I remember this: A doctor had told Jordan he had a 10% chance of re-cracking his foot if he did. Reinsdorf hypothesized something like, 'What if you had a headache, but one of every 10 aspirin in a bottle contained poison? Would you still take it?' Jordan laughed and said his head didn't ache."

God mode

Mike eventually suited up against all odds and concerns. And against one of the best teams in NBA history, "His Airness" put up one of the best string of playoff performances ever. He dropped 49 points in Game 1, exploded for 63 in Game 2, and scored 19 in the final game.

Game 2 was so epic that Larry Legend famously said after the game: "That was God disguised as Michael Jordan." Even legendary center Robert Parish was in awe of the young Mike's performance. So much so he felt the Bulls guard could've scored a whole lot more.

"There's no telling what Michael Jordan might have done in another five minutes," Parish said afterward. "He might have had 90 the way he was going."

One could say MJ's efforts were wasted since the Bulls lost in three games. However, his stellar individual performance was an indelible proof that a new star had arrived. The Bulls' front office had their work cut out for them. They just needed to surround their young star with the right pieces.