what did michael jordan contribute to the NBA?
141513
He contributed class, style, greatness, prestige, fame, and just being the best player there ever was
550363
I can't believe nobody has mentioned Wilt Chamberlain or Kareem Abdul Jabbar.  Those guys could play . . but i'm going to have to go with Michael Jordan.  He dominated the sport, tried his hand at baseball THEN came back and dominated again!  Just think of the career stats he would've had if he played straight through . . wow.\n\nHonourable mention to Robertson, Chamberlain, Kareem, Magic, Russell . . .\n\n*ALSO - according to espn.com (they have a Top 10 Point Guards in History of NBA list) Robertson averaged a triple double during his first 5 seasons*
14649
You are right. Michael Jordan had everything: knew the basics, dealt with the pressure, helped his teammates, earned amazing stats, dunked from the free throw line, and led the Bulls to 6 NBA Championships. What else could you wish for in the greatest basketball player of all time?
679361
http://www.nba.com/playerfile/michael_jordan/
147483
Magic Johnson was a great player but Michael Jordan was the best
968012
I must be missing something.  Jordan who?
653906
I know Michael Jordan has done it several times. Kobe did last night. I'm not sure who else but I'm sure others have. You can probably get a more complete list from NBA.com
611909
Michael Jordan and the 1997 Bulls.
1086732
MJ was not the greatest player of all time.\n\nOscar was a better player, as were Wilt, Russell, Kareem, Larry and Magic (Shaq was also more dominant).\n\nNot only did Oscar average a triple-double for a season, he also had the following other seasons...\n\n30.1 ppg /  10.1 rpg /   9.7  apg  (rookie year)  /  1961\n 28.3 ppg  / 10.4 rpg  /  9.5  apg  /  1963\n31.4  ppg  /  9.9  rpg  / 11.0 apg  /  1964\n30,4 ppg  /  9.0  rpg  /  11.5 apg  /  1965\n\nIn 1962, he actually did average a triple double:\n\n30.8 ppg /  12.5 rbg  /  11.4  apg\n\nIn four of his first 5 years, he came within 1 rebound or 1 assist of averaging a triple double.\n\nEDIT-I just ran the numbers... during his first five years (384 games) Oscar averaged 30.3 points, 10.4 rebounds and 10.6 assists PER GAME.\n\n\nJordan played 32 games more than Robertson in his career (1,072 to 1,040), BUT  took almost  FIVE THOUSAND more shots (24,537 FGA for MJ, only 19,620 for the Big O..... so yeah, Jordan scored a little more. Who couldn't, with 5,000 extra shot attempts (plus, there was no three pointer when Oscar played).\n\nOnce again, proves my point that Jordan was the biggest ball hog of all time, bar none.  Jordan even took more shots that Wilt Chamberlain did... MJ took over 1,000 more shots than Wilt depsite playing almost 7,000 FEWER minutes.\n\nAt the time he retired, Oscar was 2nd on the all time scoring list, behind Wilt (about 5,000 points behind Wilt).\n\nHOOP FAN (see next post) - you're right... you'll recall I posted that exact question 2 weeks ago ("why is michael jordan the greatest player ever?"), and NO ONE came up with ONE credible reason why Jordan should be considered the best ever...   so it does appear that with the right combination of Gator Ade, Nike shoes and a few morons over at ESPN, one can BECOME the greatest player ever, even if he was never any such thing on an actual basketball court.
625716
You can't honestly compare anyone to Michael Jordan.\n\nHe brought his team to how many championships? \n\nFive-time NBA Most Valuable Player (1987-88, 1990-91, 1991-92, 1995-96, 1997-98) \nTen-time All-NBA First Team selection (1986-87 to 1992-93, 1995-96 to 1997-98) \nSelected in 1996 as one of the "50 Greatest Players in NBA History" \nA member of six Chicago Bulls NBA championship teams (1990-91, 1991-92, 1992-93, 1995-96, 1996-97 and 1997-98) \nSix-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player \nThe 1987-88 NBA Defensive Player of the Year and record nine-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection (1987-88 to 1992-93, 1995-96 to 1997-98) \nEntering 2002-03, ranked first in NBA history in scoring average (31.0 ppg), second in steals (2,391), fourth in points (30,652) and in field-goals made (11,513), fifth in free-throws made (7,061), sixth in field-goals attempted (23,010) and eighth in free-throws attempted (8,448) \nClosed the 1997-98 season as the Bulls' all-time franchise leader in points, rebounds (5,836), assists (5,012), steals, games (930), field-goals made and attempted and free-throws made and attempted (8,115) \nHolds the NBA record for most seasons leading the league in scoring (10) \nShares the NBA record with Wilt Chamberlain for most consecutive seasons leading the league in scoring (seven, 1986-87 to 1992-93) \nHolds the NBA record for most consecutive games scoring in double-digits (842) \nHolds the NBA record for most seasons leading the league in field-goals made (10) and attempted (10) \nLed the NBA in steals in 1987-88 (3.16 spg), 1989-90 (2.77 spg) and 1992-93 (2.83 spg) \nHolds the NBA single-game records for most free-throws made in one half (20 against the Miami Heat on 12/30/92) and most most free-throws attempted in one half (23 in the same game) \nShares the NBA single-game records for most free-throws made in one quarter (14 against the Utah Jazz on 11/15/89 and against the Miami Heat on 12/30/92) and most free-throws attempted in one quarter (23 against the Miami Heat on 12/30/92) \nHolds the NBA Finals record for highest single-series scoring average (41.0 ppg in 1993) \nEntering the 2002-03 season, ranks as the all-time NBA Finals leader in three-pointers made (42), second in three-point attempts (114), third in points (1,176), fourth in steals (62), fifth in field-goals made (438), sixth in assists (209) and free-throws made (258), seventh in field-goals attempted (911) and eighth in free-throws attempted (320) \nHolds the NBA Playoffs record for highest career scoring average (33.4 ppg) \nEstablished an NBA Playoffs record with 63 points against the Boston Celtics on 5/20/86 \nEntering the 2002-03 season ranks as the all-time NBA Playoffs leader in field-goals attempted (4,497), free-throws made (1,463) and attempted (1,766), second in steals (376) and field-goals made (2,188), fifth in assists (1,022), seventh in three-point attempts (446) and ninth in three-pointers made (148) \nRecorded two playoff career triple-doubles, both against the New York Knicks (5/9/89 and 6/2/93) \nParticipated in 13 NBA All-Star Games (1985, 1987-1993, 1996-98, 2002-03), starting 13 times, and missed another due to injury \nNamed the MVP of the 1988, 1996 and 1998 NBA All-Star Games \nAll-time NBA All-Star Game leader in steals (35) and ranks second in field-goal attempts (206), third in points (242), fourth in scoring average (20.2 ppg), and eighth in assists (52) \nNotched the first triple-double in All-Star Game history, with 14 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, in the 1997 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland \nWon the Slam Dunk Contest in 1987 and 1988, also participating in 1985 \nNotched his 28th career triple-double, with 30 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, against the Toronto Raptors on 4/14/97 \nReturned from retirement against the Indiana Pacers on 3/19/95 and posted 19 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals in 43 minutes
190438
Pure skill does not exist in a vacuum. Michael Jordan was a team player, an important intangible not covered by statistics. Kobe might have some moves, but he is abrasive and tactless.
907497
On June 15, 2006, Jordan became a part-owner of the Charlotte Bobcats and was named "Managing Member of Basketball Operations."
593083
Jordan started at shooting guard for the Chicago Bulls
211656
Michael Jordan\nScottie Pippen\nToni Kukoc\nSteve Kerr\nRon Harper\nLuc Longley\nBill Wennington\nDennis Rodman\nJud Buechler\nDickey Simpkins\nRandy Brown\nJason Caffey\nJames Edwards\nJohn Salley\nJack Haley
524870
The Michael Jordan answer shows how desparate people are to try to make Michael the greatest player ever, NO MATTER WHAT QUESTION IS BEING ASKED... \n\nThe question was "who's the top scorer in the NBA in the eighties"... \n\nThe answer is NOT Michael Jordan. The question wasn't "who was the leading scorer from 1986-1989?"  What part of "the eighties" didn't you understand?\n\nJulius Erving was pretty much through as a player by 1985, although he did play a couple of more years after that...\n\nMagic wasn't a prolific scorer for most of the 80s, because Kareem was still the Laker's # 1 option on offense until 1987... Magic took over and averaged about 23 points per game, but that was his highest scoring average up to that point in time, and he'd only averaged 17 PPG in 1986.\n\nMost points scored 1980-1989\n\n1. Alex English 21,018\n2. Moses Malone 19,082\n3. Adrian Dantley 18,157\n4. Larry Bird  17,899\n5. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 16,246 \n\nThe answer to the question is Hall of Famer Alex English.\n\nIn addition to being the 5th leading scorer of the 80s, Kareem was also the leading scorer in the 1970s, with 22,141 points in that decade.  Elvin Hayes was 2nd in the 70s with "only" 18,922 points.\n\nMichael Jordan was 29th in scoring during the 80s, with 11,263 points.
1056471
Point is, he played a GREAT game and he deserves that MVP trophy for this series. Michael Jordan is the best of all time, I think that D.Wade can earn a spot next to MJ if he continues to play like this, but replace MJ and be the MJ of this generation, I don't know....
95208
MICHAEL JORDAN hands down