Michael Jordan once said, “The game of basketball has been everything to me. My place of refuge, place I’ve always gone where I needed comfort and peace. It’s been the site of intense pain and the most intense feelings of joy and satisfaction. It’s a relationship that has evolved over time, given me the greatest respect and love for the game” (Brainy Quote). Basketball, a nationwide sport, is played everywhere you go. The history of basketball started with its invention in 1891in Springfield, Massachusetts by James Naismith. Today, basketball is more nationally known than it has been in the past. There are many elements of the game such as the shot, pass, dribble, and the dunk. Basketball has become very popular as the 20th century has progressed, …show more content…
Michael Jordan was born in Brooklyn, New York. After he was born his parents moved him to Wilmington, North Carolina because his parents didn’t want him growing up on the streets of New York. As a youth Michael loved sports but basketball was not his favorite, baseball was. He started playing basketball to follow his older brother’s footsteps who Michael idolized. Jordan went to school at Laney High School and as a sophomore he decided to try out for the varsity basketball team. He ended up making varsity but was later cut from the team for being “undersized.” The following summer Jordan practiced relentlessly and had a 4 inch growth spurt. The hard work paid off for Jordan, as a junior, averaging 25 points per game, and as a senior he averaged 29.5 points per game. When he was senior he was selected as a McDonalds all American. After high school he earned a scholarship to play for the North Carolina Tar Heels and legendary coach Dean Smith. In his first season at North Carolina he was named ACC freshman of the year. Jordan led the 1982 Tar Heels to a national championship where he hit the game winning shot. After winning Naismith player of the year in 1984, Jordan decided to declare for the NBA draft. Even though he left college early, he would later come back to finish his Geography degree. In 1984, with the third pick, the Chicago Bulls selected Michael Jordan. As a rookie, …show more content…
Larry Bird is one of these players. Bird played 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics, 1979-1992. Many players are really good at one specific thing, but Bird could do it all. In his early years bird played high school basketball at Springs Valley high school located in Indiana. Bird was highly recruited by many colleges, including Indiana University. Not being able too adjust to the size of the University, Bird dropped out of Indiana and returned back to his small town but continued to go to Community College for a year. After his year of community college he transferred to Indiana State where he would continue his basketball career. Larry had picked up right where he had left off; averaging an astonishing 30.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists a game. Declaring for the NBA draft Bird was selected 6th overall in 1978. He made an immediate impact for the Celtics, increasing their win total bye 32 games from the previous season. Bird was the best in the NBA at this time, leading the Celtics to the playoffs to play against the pistons, but losing in 6 games. He started the next season, but after 6 games he needed bone spurs removed from both heels. After this injury Bird’s career slowly went down hill. On August 18, 1992 Larry Bird officially announces his retirement. (“The best of the