Editing Michael Jordan (section)

== Professional Career ==

=== Chicago Bulls (1984–1993) ===
Selected third overall in the 1984 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls, Jordan quickly established himself as a league sensation. His rookie season averages of 28.2 points per game earned him Rookie of the Year honors. By his third season (1986–87), Jordan became the only player besides Wilt Chamberlain to score 3,000 points in a season.

Jordan's ascendancy to NBA supremacy faced early obstacles, particularly against the Detroit Pistons' "Bad Boys" in the playoffs from 1988 to 1990. This period saw Jordan win his first NBA MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards in 1988, demonstrating his exceptional two-way playing ability.

The Bulls' breakthrough came in 1991, when they won their first NBA championship against the Los Angeles Lakers. This victory began Jordan's first three-peat (1991–1993), during which he won three consecutive Finals MVPs and established himself as basketball's dominant figure.

=== First Retirement and Baseball Career (1993–1995) ===
In October 1993, Jordan shocked the sports world by retiring from basketball, citing a loss of desire to play following his father's tragic murder. He pursued a career in professional baseball, playing for the Birmingham Barons, a Chicago White Sox Double-A affiliate, where he batted .202 with 3 home runs and 51 RBIs in 127 games.

=== Return to the Bulls (1995–1998) ===
Jordan returned to basketball in March 1995 with the simple announcement "I'm back." After a playoff defeat to the Orlando Magic, Jordan led the Bulls to another three-peat (1996–1998). The 1995–96 team set a then-NBA record with 72 regular season wins. This second three-peat culminated in Jordan's famous "Last Shot" against the Utah Jazz in the 1998 Finals, securing his sixth championship and sixth Finals MVP award.

=== Washington Wizards (2001–2003) ===
After a second retirement and stint as the Washington Wizards' president of basketball operations, Jordan made a final comeback as a player for the Wizards from 2001 to 2003. Despite being in his late thirties, he averaged over 20 points per game and became the first 40-year-old to score 43 points in an NBA game.