Michael Jordan

1166 Words3 Pages

Who Influenced Michael Jordan to Become the Player and Person He is Today? I. Introduction A. Background B. Thesis Statement II. Body A. Childhood of MJ B. MJ the Child Player C. The College Years D. MJ- The Pro Athlete 1. Life in the NBA 2. Life in the MLB E. Back to the NBA 1. Bye, Bye, Bye (Retirement from the Game) III. Conclusion IV. Appendixes A. Charts and Statistics V. Works Cited Page Davis 2 Introduction Well everyone has they’re own opinion about Michael Jordan, but one thing is certain, he is a phenomenal athlete with a unique combination of grace, power, artistry and the improvisational ability. He is not only the top player of his Era, but is quite possibly the best player to wear the uniform of a NBA team. He is the most recognizable athlete in the world and is believed to be the best there ever was, is, or ever will be. (NBA.com) A person to this magnitude has obviously a success, being able to have a family of his own and, knowing that there are thousands of people looking up to him, and being many people’s idol. To be able to stand the pressure of being a national symbol of greatness, you have to have a driving force. This driving force has been known to be the edge a lot of people have needed to make it over. Michael Jordan’s family helped him to fight and become one of the most influential, successful, and professional sports figures ever. Body Michael Jeffrey Jordan was born on February 17, 1963, in Brooklyn, NY, to a proud Deloris and James Jordan. (Nba.com; BioLife.com) Now this very first point may seem like no big deal but it’s something in itself. Jordan almost wasn’t born. In 1963, when Deloris was carrying Mike her mother died unexpectedly causing her to fall into a deep depression and stress period. Fearing a miscarriage the family doctor ordered her to bed rest. (Greene 12; NBA.com) "I Davis 3 always said that Michael’s birth was like a sign. I lost my mother while I was carrying Michael, and he was my godsend. Michael was the happiness he sent me after a very sad time in my life." –Deloris (qtd. In Halberstam 48) "The near miscarriage was very bad." –James (qtd. in Halberstam 49) Michael the Jordan’s 4th child lived in a pretty much average house, which was on the lower end of the economic pool. When Mike was 2 he had a really close brush with death. James (Mike’s father) was outside tuning...

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...rs proved true and Mike come out of retirement. In his 5th game back he scored 55 points. Jordan definately still had it. He also led his team to a second 3-peat. (three championships in a row) Jordan retired for good with 6 NBA finals MVP’s. (BioLife.com) Conclusion Michael, the "perfect" player still needs his family. Mike’s story goes to show that family is important. Whether you family is your biological parents or parent, step parents or parent, grandparents, sisters or brothers, aunts or uncles, or you adopted or foster parents or parent, they are still your family. Family is a vital part of life, and love even more vital. One thing if you don’t see anything else, see not to take advantage or take your family for granted because one day they may not be here. Don’t forget about the people who made you who you are. Never get so full of yourself that you only care about what you do. Basketball is what Mike does, Michael Jordan is who he is.

Bibliography
Davis 6 Works Cited Page Greene, Bob. Hang Time. New York: Doubleday Inc., Nov. 1992 Halberstam, David. Playing for Keeps. New York: Random House, 1999. www. BioLife.com www. GreatsoftheGame.com www. NBA.com

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