There are ten seconds remaining on the clock. It is game six of the 1998 NBA finals, the Chicago Bulls lead the series three games to two, and the bulls have the ball. Who will take the final shot for the Bulls? Of course none other than the greatest basketball player of all-time; Michael Jordan, the king clad in the reigning colors of royalty: red and black and wearing the universally recognizable number twenty-three. Jordan has the ball at the top of the key, he gives Utah's Byron Russell a quick fake, and Byron bites. Jordan steps back and knocks down the twenty-footer giving the bulls the lead with just over five seconds left to play. The bulls hold out and win the game. Jordan finishes the game with forty-five points and receives his sixth NBA Finals MVP, only reaffirming his title as the greatest player to ever set foot on an NBA court.
Michael Jordan is a fierce competitor; he strives to be the best at everything he does. Michael's drive and determination to succeed have made him what he is: the best. But Michael's long journey to the top was no easy task. He faced many obstacles and it was his persistence and his unwillingness to fail that enabled him to triumph in the face of adversity. What makes Michael so special is the infectious nature of his spirit, he has inspired countless people around the world to succeed in what they do. Jordan has become more than sports superstar, he is a global icon and a figure of inspiration. His life as it is can be looked upon as a triumph over the many hurdles in life using a tool known as persistence.
Michael Jeffrey Jordan was born on February 17, 1963 in Brooklyn New York. The Jordan family moved to Wilmington, North Carolina when Michael was still a toddler. His parents, Deloris and James Jordan were hardworking parents trying to support a family of seven, Jordan being the second youngest of five. Deloris Jordan's pregnancy with Michael was not an easy one.
Courage and determination aren't the only lessons we can learn from successful athletes. Some of the best athletes in history are the ones who can take their achievements in stride. ... It's fine to admire Michael Jordan's wizardry on the court or Picabo Street's finesse on the slopes. ...