[callout_right]The game is my life. It demands loyalty and responsibility, and it gives me back fulfillment and peace. – Michael Jordan on Basketball[/callout_right]

Think basketball and the only player that that sums up all its values, attributes, strengths and power is Michael Jordan or “Air Jordan” as he is famously nicknamed. He has not only made a huge impact in the world of athletics but is also one of the most recognizable and branded athletes to walk this earth.

Every success story is born out of failure. Michael Air Jordan was born on February 17, 1963 in Brooklyn NY. Ironically he was not selected as part of the high school basketball team as a sophomore, but managed to make it in the juniors team in his native town of Wilmington, North Carolina. He could have attributed his entry into super-stardom because of his height, especially so when he shot upto 6-3 just before his junior year. However his qualities as a human being and player are unmatched and it’s probably the culmination of his entire persona along with his talent and unprofaned love for the game that has seen him go to such great heights.

Michel Air Jordan, son of Delores and James Jordan was especially attached to his father, and this is where he basically learnt to love the sport alongside baseball. He however followed his older brother’s footsteps Larry, who is an athlete himself and excelled in basketball. While still a freshman he played in the shadows of basketballs upper echelons like Sam Perkins and James Worthy. His claim to fame came during the NCAA Championship game that was played against Georgetown. With 16 points in his pocket in this single game, Michael Jordan scored the winning basket after 9 rebounds and finished it off with a 16 foot jump, just 18 minutes before the game ended. The victorious team won 63-62, and Michael Jordan shone!

While in college he earned the title of “player of the year” by The Sporting News in 1983 as well as 1984. After his junior years he was chosen as the third overall pick of the Chicago Bulls NBA 1984 draft. Before joining the Bulls, he has been a part of the 1984 United States Olympic Basketball Team. He shone in the Olympic team and earned him Rookie of the Year Award after averaging 28.3 ppg.

Michael Air Jordan was born soon after he was signed up by Nike for one of the loftiest shoe deal. The advertisement is an encasement of Jordan’s authentic and unique skills as a player. His gigantic leap which showed him midway in the air earns him the name of ‘Air’ Jordan. There were many more air leaps that Jordon displayed while playing his favorite games. The honors he earned included were Six-Time NBA champion (1991-93, 1996-98), 10-time All-NBA First Team (1987-93, 1996-98), NBA MVP (1988, 91, 92,96, 98), 1988 Defensive Player of the Year, All-NBA Second Team in the year 1985, 1985 Rookie of the Year, One among 50 Greatest Players in the History of NBA, 14-Time All-Star MVP (1988, 96, 98), Two Time Olympic Gold Medalist (1984, 92) and many more.

Although Michael Jordan retired for the first time on October 16, 1995 following the death of his father, he got back to his game on March 18, 1996. He retired for the second time on January 3, 1999 and made a comeback again with the Washington Wizards on September 25. 2001.