Michael Jordan

Part 1: Early Life

Michael Jeffrey Jordan was born on February 17, 1963. He was born in Brooklyn, New York. But he grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Michael had four siblings: two older brothers, one older sister, and one younger sister. His parents were James and Deloris Jordan.

As a child, Michael loved sports. He played baseball, basketball, and football. His father taught him to work hard. Michael was very competitive. He always wanted to win.

Part 2: High School Basketball

In high school, Michael wanted to play on the varsity basketball team. But he was too short. He was only 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 meters) tall.

Michael didn't give up. He practiced hard. He played on the junior varsity team. He scored a lot of points.

The next year, Michael grew taller. He made it to the varsity team. He became a star player. Many colleges wanted him to play for them.

Part 3: College Career

Michael chose to go to the University of North Carolina. He played basketball there for three years.

In his first year, Michael scored the winning shot in the national championship game. This made him famous.

At college, Michael learned a lot about basketball. He became a better player. He won many awards. People started to see how special he was.

Part 4: Olympic Games 1984

In 1984, Michael played in the Olympic Games. He was still in college. The Olympics were in Los Angeles, USA.

Michael and the US team won the gold medal. They won all their games easily. This was Michael's first time playing for his country.

Part 5: Joining the NBA

After college, Michael joined the NBA (National Basketball Association). The Chicago Bulls chose him in the 1984 NBA draft.

Michael was the third pick in the draft. Two other players were chosen before him. Later, people would say this was a mistake. Michael became better than both of them.

Part 6: Early NBA Career

Michael's first years in the NBA were amazing. He could jump very high. He could score many points. Fans loved to watch him play.

In his first season, Michael was named an All-Star. This means he was one of the best players that year. He also won the Rookie of the Year award.

Michael had a special shoe made for him by Nike. It was called Air Jordan. These shoes became very popular. People still buy them today.

Part 7: Becoming a Champion

At first, Michael and the Chicago Bulls didn't win the NBA championship. Other teams were stronger. But Michael kept getting better.

In 1991, the Bulls won their first NBA championship. Michael was the best player in the finals. He cried when he won. He was so happy.

This was just the start. The Bulls won again in 1992 and 1993. They won three championships in a row. This is called a "three-peat."

Part 8: First Retirement and Baseball Career

In October 1993, Michael shocked everyone. He said he was retiring from basketball. He said he had lost his desire to play.

Michael decided to play baseball. This was his father's favorite sport. Sadly, Michael's father had died earlier that year.

Michael played baseball for the Birmingham Barons. This was a minor league team. He worked hard, but he wasn't as good at baseball as he was at basketball.

Part 9: Return to Basketball

In March 1995, Michael came back to basketball. He joined the Bulls again. Fans were very excited.

At first, Michael wasn't as good as before. But he practiced hard. Soon, he was the best player in the league again.

In the 1995-1996 season, the Bulls won 72 games. This was a new record. They won the NBA championship again.

Part 10: Second Three-Peat

The Bulls won the NBA championship in 1996, 1997, and 1998. This was their second "three-peat." Michael was the best player in all these finals.

Michael made many famous plays during these years. One of the most famous was "The Flu Game." In the 1997 finals, Michael was very sick. But he still played. He scored 38 points and the Bulls won.

Part 11: Second Retirement and Washington Wizards

After the 1998 championship, Michael retired again. People thought this was the end of his career.

But in 2001, Michael came back again. This time, he played for the Washington Wizards. He was 38 years old.

Michael wasn't as amazing as before. But he was still very good. He played for two years with the Wizards. Then he retired for the last time in 2003.

Part 12: Playing Style and Skills

Michael was known for many things:

- He could jump very high. People said he could "fly."
- He was very fast and quick.
- He was a great shooter. He could score from anywhere.
- He was also a great defender. He could stop other teams' best players.
- He worked very hard. He always tried to get better.
- He was very competitive. He always wanted to win.

Michael's playing style changed the game of basketball. Many players try to play like him.

Part 13: Achievements and Awards

Michael won many awards in his career:

- 6 NBA championships
- 6 NBA Finals MVP awards
- 5 NBA Most Valuable Player awards
- 14 NBA All-Star selections
- 10 NBA scoring titles
- 2 Olympic gold medals

Many people say Michael is the best basketball player ever.

Part 14: Life After Basketball

After basketball, Michael stayed busy:

- He owns the Charlotte Hornets, an NBA team.
- He still works with Nike. Air Jordan shoes are very popular.
- He does a lot of charity work. He helps children and poor communities.
- He has five children and became a grandfather in 2019.

Michael is still very famous. Many young people who never saw him play know who he is.

Part 15: Legacy

Michael Jordan changed basketball. He made the NBA popular around the world. Many people started watching basketball because of him.

His competitive spirit is famous. People in many jobs try to be "like Mike." They work hard and never give up.

Michael showed that athletes could be big stars. He was in movies and TV commercials. He made a lot of money from basketball and business.

Today, many people still think Michael is the best ever. New players are often compared to him. His legacy in basketball and sports will last for a long time.

Vocabulary List

Here are some important words from the article:

1. Competitive - really wanting to win
2. Varsity - the main sports team in a high school or college
3. Championship - a competition to find the best team
4. Olympic Games - a big sports event with many countries
5. Draft - when professional teams choose new players
6. All-Star - one of the best players in the league
7. Rookie - a player in their first year
8. Retire - to stop playing professionally
9. Minor league - a level of sports below the top level
10. Record - the best result ever in something
11. Flu - a sickness that makes you feel very bad
12. Defender - a player who tries to stop the other team from scoring
13. MVP (Most Valuable Player) - the best player
14. Charity - helping people who need help
15. Legacy - how people remember someone after they're gone

Questions about Michael Jordan

Part 1: Early Life
1. When was Michael Jordan born?
2. Where did Michael grow up?
3. What sports did Michael play as a child?

Part 2: High School Basketball
4. Why didn't Michael make the varsity team at first?
5. What did Michael do after he didn't make the varsity team?

Part 3: College Career
6. Which university did Michael go to?
7. What important thing did Michael do in his first year of college?

Part 4: Olympic Games 1984
8. Where were the 1984 Olympic Games?
9. What did Michael and the US team win in the Olympics?

Part 5: Joining the NBA
10. Which NBA team chose Michael in the draft?
11. Was Michael the first player chosen in the draft?

Part 6: Early NBA Career
12. What award did Michael win in his first NBA season?
13. What was special about Michael's shoes?

Part 7: Becoming a Champion
14. In what year did the Bulls win their first NBA championship?
15. How many championships did the Bulls win in a row?

Part 8: First Retirement and Baseball Career
16. Why did Michael stop playing basketball in 1993?
17. What sport did Michael play after basketball?

Part 9: Return to Basketball
18. When did Michael come back to basketball?
19. How many games did the Bulls win in the 1995-1996 season?

Part 10: Second Three-Peat
20. What was "The Flu Game"?

Part 11: Second Retirement and Washington Wizards
21. Which team did Michael play for after the Bulls?
22. How old was Michael when he started playing for this team?

Part 12: Playing Style and Skills
23. Name two things Michael was known for in basketball.

Part 13: Achievements and Awards
24. How many NBA championships did Michael win in total?
25. How many times was Michael named NBA Most Valuable Player?

Part 14: Life After Basketball
26. What NBA team does Michael own now?
27. What does Michael do to help people?

Part 15: Legacy
28. How did Michael change basketball?

Vocabulary Practice
29. What does "competitive" mean?
30. What is a "rookie" in sports?