The documentary of Michael Jordan and the 97-98 Bulls (The Last Dance) is almost over with the last two episodes getting ready to air tomorrow. This seems like a perfect time to talk a little bit about Jordan and his basketball successes considering that 35 years ago Jordan won the first of many major awards that he would win in the NBA after he was named Rookie of the Year.
When discussing Michael Jordan, it always seems like LeBron James is simultaneously brought up because the big debate is who is the greatest of all time. Instead of arguing about who is the G.O.A.T we should just appreciate the greatness that both of these players brought to the game, sadly that will never happen because people always want their opinions to be validated.
No matter what the correct answer is, if there even is one, this is not an article about who is better, this is an article about Michael Jordan and remembering his rookie season that led him to being one of the most successful athletes of all-time.
Coming into the 1984 draft there were three players who stood above the rest, Hakeem Olajuwon, Sam Bowie, and Michael Jordan. Out of these three picks it is well known the Jordan was the third person off the board with Olajuwon and Bowie famously being picked before him.
Olajuwon was the clear number one pick because of how skilled he was plus he was a seven-foot monster both on offense and on defense. When there are tough choices between certain players of substantially different height and position, teams usually tend to pick the taller player if they play center of power forward.
That is exactly what happened when the choice came down to Same Bowie and Michael Jordan. Part of the reason that teams tend to lead toward the centers is because you cannot teach height, skill can be taught but height cannot and that is what Sam Bowie had.
Bowie did not have the same college career as Jordan, Jordan was clearly the better player, but the Trailblazers saw potential in the 7’1” center. Had it not been for injuries Bowie could have been a good player too. After his sophomore year in college the injury bug bit Bowie who had a stress fracture in his left tibia causing Bowie to miss the next season, however, the fracture never fully healed, and he would sit out the season after that too.
He applied with the NCAA to get a medical redshirt in order to play his senior season, his request was granted, and Bowie played the 83-84 season for a chance to increase his draft stock. His stock was there, and the Blazers picked him second overall in the 84’ draft and it didn’t seem like a bad move. His first season Bowie got his only accolade when he made the all-rookie team, but the injuries returned as he broke his left tibia. Bowie played in the NBA for 10 seasons but will always be looked at as one of the worst picks ever because of who was taken after.
Michael Jordan on the other hand was a two-time All-American and a player with tremendous upside. Jordan was taken by the Chicago Bulls and he was there to help make the Bulls relevant for the first time since the mid-70s.
In his rookie season Jordan helped lead the Bulls to the playoffs even though they had a sub .500 record. Jordan was taking the league by storm, averaging 28.2 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 5.9 APG, 2.4 SPG, and a .515%.
Jordan was the clear choice in the Rookie of the Year voting and Jordan made his case for the MVP, coming in sixth place in the MVP voting (won by Larry Bird). Olajuwon also had some votes for Rookie of the Year, but Jordan won by 37 points.
During that season these were the only two players who had votes for the R.O.Y and it was a good indication for how both of these players careers would go.
In 18 seasons Olajuwon was a 12-time all-star, an MVP winner (1993-94), two-time finals MVP (two championships), two-time defensive player of the year, all-NBA 12 times, and a Hall of Famer.
Michael Jordan also had numerous accolades in his legendary career, including five MVPs, six final MVPs (six championships), 11 all-NBA teams, one defensive player of the year, and a Hall of Famer. All of this would not have been possible if it were not for a remarkable rookie season that ended with a Rookie of the Year award.