When Did Jordan Enter the NBA?

It’s a common question for basketball fans: when did Jordan enter the NBA? The answer may surprise you.

Introduction

Michael Jordan is widely considered to be the greatest basketball player of all time. He was a dominant force in the NBA for many years, winning multiple championships with the Chicago Bulls. But when did Jordan first enter the league?

Jordan was drafted by the Bulls in 1984 and made his debut during the 1984-85 season. He quickly established himself as one of the best players in the game, winning Rookie of the Year honors. Jordan continued to improve over the next few years, culminating in his first championship victory in 1991.

Jordan would go on to win six more championships with the Bulls, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players in NBA history.

The NBA’s Early Years

The National Basketball Association (NBA) was established in 1946, when 11 teams from the National Basketball League (NBL) and the Basketball Association of America (BAA) merged to form the new league. One of the most popular players in NBA history, Michael Jordan, didn’t enter the league until nearly 40 years later.

Jordan was born in 1963, the same year that the NBA’s most famous player, Wilt Chamberlain, set the single-game scoring record by pouring in 100 points against the New York Knicks. Chamberlain’s milestone made him a household name and helped increase interest in basketball nationwide.

Three years later, in 1966, the NBA expanded by adding four new teams: the Chicago Bulls, San Diego Rockets (now the Houston Rockets), Seattle SuperSonics (now the Oklahoma City Thunder), and Milwaukee Bucks. This brought the total number of NBA teams up to 14. The expansion gave rise to several new stars, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then known as Lew Alcindor), who would go on to become one of the greatest players in NBA history.

Jordan didn’t enter the league until 1984, when he was drafted by the Chicago Bulls with the third overall pick. By that time, Chamberlain had been retired for nearly a decade and Abdul-Jabbar was nearing the end of his storied career. Jordan would go on to enjoy a decorated career of his own, winning six NBA championships with the Bulls and five MVP awards. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest players in NBA history and is often credited with popularizing basketball around the world.

The Birth of the Chicago Bulls

In 1966, the NBA expanded by adding four ABA teams: the Chicago Bulls, the San Diego Rockets (now the Houston Rockets), the Seattle SuperSonics (now the Oklahoma City Thunder), and the Indiana Pacers. The addition of these four teams brought the total number of NBA teams to seventeen. The Chicago Bulls were an expansion team, meaning they did not have any players on their roster who had played in the NBA before. Instead, they got their players from a draft, in which they selected players who had played in college or in other professional leagues.

The Rise of Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1984. He quickly became one of the best players in the NBA, winning Rookie of the Year and leading the Bulls to the playoffs. In 1991, Jordan won his first NBA championship, and he would go on to win six more titles with the Bulls. Jordan also won two Olympic gold medals as a member of the United States men’s basketball team. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

Jordan’s First NBA Season

Between his junior and senior year of college, Michael Jordan entered the 1984 NBA draft. He was selected by the Chicago Bulls with the third overall pick. Jordan began his rookie season with the Bulls in 1984-85. He quickly became one of the most popular players in the league and helped lead the Bulls to the playoffs that year.

Conclusion

So, when did Jordan enter the NBA? He was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1984 and made his debut in the 1985-86 season. He quickly became one of the league’s best players, winning Rookie of the Year honors. He went on to win six NBA championships with the Bulls and was named MVP of the Finals three times. He is widely considered one of the greatest players in NBA history.