Born to Fly
On a warm day in Brooklyn, New York, in 1963, a special baby boy named Michael Jeffrey Jordan was born. His parents, James and Deloris Jordan, held their tiny son and dreamed big dreams for him.
"This little one is going to do amazing things," James whispered to his wife.
When Michael was very young, his family moved to Wilmington, North Carolina. The warm sunshine and friendly neighborhood became his new home. Little Michael loved running around in their backyard with his four siblings - Larry, James Jr., Deloris, and Roslyn.
"My daddy taught us that you had to work hard for everything you want," Michael would later say about his childhood.
James Jordan was a hard-working mechanic who taught his children about being strong and never giving up. Deloris was a bank teller who made sure her children studied hard in school. They were a team that believed in each other.
Growing Up Jordan
Young Michael loved all kinds of sports. He would play baseball with his dad in their backyard. His favorite baseball player was Roberto Clemente. But something special happened when Michael started playing basketball with his big brother Larry.
"Come on, Michael! Try to beat me!" Larry would challenge him.
Larry was taller and stronger, and he would win their games. This made Michael try harder and harder. He would practice for hours, jumping and shooting, trying to be as good as his big brother.
Fun Fact: Even as a kid, Michael could jump so high that his friends called him "Magic Jordan"!
When Michael was in ninth grade at Emsley A. Laney High School, something happened that would change his life. He tried out for the varsity basketball team, but he didn't make it. He was only 5'10" tall at the time - too short for varsity.
Instead of giving up, Michael did these things to get better:
Practiced basketball every morning before school
Worked extra hard in practice with the junior varsity team
Grew taller (he shot up to 6'3" the next year!)
Asked his mom to lengthen his basketball shorts so he could practice more comfortably
"I went home, looked at myself in the mirror and said, 'You're better than that,'" Michael remembered about being cut from the team.
The next year, Michael made the varsity team. He played so well that he averaged more than 20 points per game. His hard work was paying off!
The Future Takes Flight
Michael's mom always told him: "If you believe in yourself and work hard, you can do anything." He took these words to heart. Every day after school, he would practice until it got dark. Sometimes his mom would have to call him inside for dinner.
"Just five more shots, Mom!" he would always say.
His determination started to show. In his senior year, Michael became an All-American player. This means he was one of the best high school basketball players in the whole country!
College scouts started coming to watch him play. They could see something special in the way Michael moved on the court. He didn't just run - he seemed to fly through the air.
"When I step onto the court, I don't have to think. I just do. I've worked so hard that now I can just let my body take over."
The young boy from Wilmington was starting to soar. His journey was just beginning, but Michael Jordan was already showing signs of the greatness that would make him a legend. His family's support, his own determination, and his love for the game were creating something extraordinary.
One evening, as Michael practiced his shots in the fading daylight, his father stood watching. James Jordan smiled, knowing his son was destined for something special. The basketball swooshed through the net one more time, and young Michael Jordan grinned, ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.Dream Takes Flight
The University of North Carolina campus buzzed with excitement in 1981. A tall young man with a bright smile walked across the quad. It was Michael Jordan, and he was about to start his college basketball journey.
"Welcome to Carolina," Coach Dean Smith said warmly, shaking Michael's hand. "Are you ready to work hard?"
Michael nodded eagerly. He knew this was his big chance to prove himself. The beautiful Chapel Hill campus would become his new home, with its tall trees and historic buildings.
Learning to Soar Higher
College basketball was different from high school. The players were bigger, faster, and stronger. But Michael was ready for the challenge. Coach Smith saw something special in him right away.
Amazing Fact: Michael wore his Carolina practice shorts under his game shorts in every NBA game for good luck!
Every morning, Michael would wake up early to practice. His roommate would often hear him bouncing the ball before sunrise.
"Why do you practice so much?" his teammate Buzz Peterson asked one day.
"Because I want to be the best," Michael replied with a determined smile. "I want to make my family proud."
The Shot That Changed Everything
March 29, 1982, was a special day. The NCAA championship game against Georgetown was tied. Only seconds remained on the clock. The ball came to Michael. He was just a freshman, but he wasn't scared.
"I felt calm. I had practiced this shot a thousand times in my head."
The ball left his hands. Time seemed to slow down. Then...
SWISH! ✨
The crowd erupted! North Carolina had won the national championship! Michael's teammates lifted him onto their shoulders. His parents watched proudly from the stands, tears in their eyes.
Growing as a Student and Athlete
College wasn't just about basketball. Michael studied hard too. He learned about:
Geography in his favorite classes
Time management between practice and studies
Leadership skills from Coach Smith
Teamwork with his fellow Tar Heels
Coach Smith taught Michael important lessons about being humble. "Even the greatest player needs his teammates," he would say.
Coach's Corner: "Michael wasn't just talented - he worked harder than anyone I've ever seen." - Coach Dean Smith
Every game, Michael got better. He won awards and broke records. But he never forgot what his parents taught him about working hard and staying humble.
Dreams Getting Bigger
By his junior year, everyone knew Michael Jordan was special. Professional basketball teams were watching him closely. But he still focused on each game, each practice, each moment.
"Remember when you couldn't make the varsity team?" his brother Larry asked during a visit.
Michael laughed. "That feels like a lifetime ago. But it taught me to never give up."
The young man from North Carolina was becoming a star. His jump shot was perfect, his defense was strong, and when he leaped into the air, it looked like he could fly.
As Michael sat in his dorm room one evening, looking at his championship ring, he smiled. College was just the beginning. He could feel it - bigger dreams were waiting. The NBA was calling, and Michael Jordan was ready to answer.Taking Flight in Chicago
The bright lights of Chicago shone on a young Michael Jordan in 1984. The Bulls had picked him third in the NBA draft, and the city was buzzing with excitement.
"Welcome to the Chicago Bulls," said General Manager Rod Thorn, handing Michael his red and white jersey with the number 23.
Fun Fact: Michael chose number 23 because it was close to half of his brother Larry's high school number 45!
First Steps in the Big League
The NBA was different from college. The players were even bigger and stronger. But Michael wasn't scared. He wanted to show everyone what he could do.
"I'm going to work harder than anyone has ever worked before," Michael told his new teammates.
And he did just that! In his very first game, Michael scored 16 points. The crowd loved watching him play. He could jump so high, it looked like he was flying!
Making New Friends
Michael met his new teammates. There was:
Dave Corzine - the tall center who helped Michael learn NBA plays
Orlando Woolridge - who became one of Michael's best friends on the team
Quintin Dailey - who taught Michael about life in the big city
Coach Kevin Loughery saw something special in Michael. "Keep watching this kid," he told reporters. "He's going to change the game."
"Every morning, I wake up thinking about basketball. Every night, I dream about it." - Michael Jordan
The Air Jordan Takes Off
Something amazing happened during Michael's first season. People started calling him "Air Jordan" because he could jump so high!
Special Moment: In just his fifth NBA game, Michael scored 45 points! Everyone in Chicago knew they had found someone special.
Michael created his own special way of playing. He would stick his tongue out when he concentrated really hard. He would spin and twist in the air like a dancer. Nobody had ever seen anything like it!
"How do you stay in the air so long?" reporters would ask.
Michael would smile and say, "I just try to stay up there until everyone else comes down."
Learning to Lead
The Bulls weren't winning many games at first. But Michael didn't give up. He practiced harder and harder. He helped his teammates get better too.
"Being a good player is one thing," his father James told him on the phone one night. "But being a good leader is even more important."
Michael listened. He started coming to practice early to help his teammates. He stayed late to work on his shots. Soon, the whole team was working harder.
Team Spirit: "Michael made everyone around him better. That's what great players do." - Bulls Assistant Coach Tex Winter
By the end of his first season, Michael had scored more points than any other Bulls player ever had in their first year. He won the Rookie of the Year award, but he wasn't satisfied. He wanted more.
As he sat in his new Chicago apartment, looking out at the city lights, Michael smiled. This was just the beginning of something big. The NBA would never be the same, and Chicago was about to become the home of something magical.Building a Dynasty
The roar of twenty thousand fans filled Chicago Stadium. Michael Jordan stood at center court, his eyes focused on the championship trophy. It was 1991, and everything was about to change.
Championship Time: The Bulls were ready to become the best team in basketball history!
The Perfect Team
Coach Phil Jackson brought the team together. "We're not just players," he said. "We're family."
Michael looked around at his teammates:
Scottie Pippen - Michael's best friend and amazing teammate
Horace Grant - The strong player who got the ball back
John Paxson - Who could shoot the ball really far
Bill Cartwright - The big, tall center who protected the basket
Winning it All
"Defense wins games," Michael told his teammates. "Let's show them how it's done!"
"I never lost a game. I just ran out of time." - Michael Jordan's famous words to his team
The Bulls won their first championship in 1991! Michael cried when he held the trophy. His dad James gave him a big hug.
"This is for everyone who believed in us," Michael said, holding up the shiny gold trophy.
More Championships Coming
The Bulls didn't stop there! They won again in 1992. And again in 1993! Nobody could beat them.
"How do you keep winning?" reporters asked Michael.
He smiled and said, "I just hate losing more than I love winning."
Amazing Fact: The Bulls won three championships in a row! That's called a "three-peat."
The Second Three-Peat
After taking a break to play baseball, Michael came back to basketball in 1995. He sent a simple message to the world: "I'm back."
The Bulls got even better! They won three more championships in 1996, 1997, and 1998. That's six total championships!
"Nobody has ever done this before," Coach Phil Jackson said proudly.
Being the Best
During these years, Michael won lots of special awards:
Michael's Achievements:
- Best Player in the NBA (MVP) five times
- Best Player in the Championship Games six times
- Scored more points than almost anyone else
But Michael always said the team awards meant more than his personal ones.
"Basketball is a team game," he would tell kids who came to watch him play. "You can't win alone."
The Last Shot
In 1998, Michael made his most famous shot ever. The Bulls were playing...
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