Photos: Michael Jordan Turns 50
February 12, 2013
7 Feb 1988: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls goes for a dunk during the 1988 NBA All Star Slam Dunk Competition at Chicago Stadium in Chicago, Il. Jordan went on to win the Slam Dunk Competition. Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images
Michael Jordan fires the game-winning shot in the final seconds against Georgetown in the championship game of the NCAA tournament in New Orleans on March 29, 1982. Jordan has made nearly 30 game-winning shots in his pro career, including one that gave the Chicago Bulls their sixth NBA championship. But none was bigger than the one he hit 20 years ago Friday. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Allen Dean Steele)
ATLANTA - FEBRUARY 9: Michael Jordan (Washington Wizards) #23 of the Eastern Conference All-Stars looks on at the 2003 NBA All-Star Game on February 9, 2003 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Chicago Bulls' Michael Jordan, left, holds the Most Valuable Player trophy as coach Phil Jackson holds the NBA Championship trophy after the Bulls defeated the Utah Jazz 87-86 in Game 6 of the NBA Finals in Salt Lake City, June 14, 1998.Jordan, regarded as the greatest player and greatest draw in NBA history, will announce his retirement from the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 1999, The Associated Press has learned. (AP Photo/Jack Smith)
Chicago Bulls' Michael Jordan flies to the hoop over the Indiana Pacers' Reggie Miller and Mark Jackson (13), in Indiana in this March 19, 1995 photo. Jordan, the greatest player in NBA history and the most popular athlete since Muhammad Ali is expected to announce his retirement Wednesday at a news conference in Chicago, a source with close ties to the NBA told The Associated Press on Monday night Jan. 11, 1999. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Chicago Bulls' and series MVP Michael Jordan celebrates the Bulls 87-86 defeat over the Utah Jazz in Game 6 of the NBA Finals in Salt Lake City, Sunday, June 14, 1998. The Bulls won their third straight NBA title. Jordan, the greatest player in NBA history and the most popular athlete since Muhammad Ali is expected to announce his retirement Wednesday at a news conference in Chicago, a source with close ties to the NBA told The Associated Press on Monday night Jan. 11, 1999. (AP Photo/Arlington Heights Daily Herald, Mark Welsh)
The Chicago Bulls' Michael Jordan collapses in the arms of teammate Scottie Pippen, right, at the end of Game 5 of the NBA Finals with the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City, in this June 11, 1997 photo. Jordan, fighting flu symptoms, scored 38 points as the Bulls beat the Jazz 90-88 to take a 3-2 lead in the series. Jordan, the greatest player in NBA history and the most popular athlete since Muhammad Ali is expected to announce his retirement Wednesday at a news conference in Chicago, a source with close ties to the NBA told The Associated Press on Monday night Jan. 11, 1999. (AP Photo/Susan Ragan)
The Chicago Bulls' Michael Jordan (23) goes up and under Utah Jazz forward Karl Malone, left, as he drives to the hoop during the third quarter of Game 2 in the NBA Finals Wednesday, June 4, 1997, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Beth A. Keiser)
Phoenix Suns' Charles Barkley chats with Chicago Bulls' Michael Jordan during the closing moments of Game 5 in the NBA Finals at the Chicago Stadium in this June 18, 1993, file photo. If Michael Jordan returns to the NBA, he'll almost certainly have Charles Barkley with him. Working as a broadcaster on the NBA playoffs for Turner Sports, Barkley sounded excited Tuesday, April 24, 2001 by the prospect of a joint comeback with Jordan. Barkley said he would return to the court if he could getback in shape _ and had some company.(AP Photo/John Swart, File)
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 9: Michael Jordan of the Eastern Conference All-Stars dunks against the Western Conference All-Stars during the 2003 NBA All-Star Game on February 9, 2003 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
10 May 1998: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls jumps to make a lay-up during the East Conference Semifinals against the Charlotte Hornets at Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Bulls defeated the Hornets 103-83. Craig Jones
Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan holds up six fingers for the six NBA Championships the Bulls have won after Chicago defeated 87-86 in Salt Lake City, in this June 14, 1998. If Michael Jordan returns to the NBA, there's a 99.9 percent chance that every young whippersnapper in the league will be looking to knock a little of the tarnish off his legend. At 38, he would be a marked man among a new generation of players who were toddlers back when Jordan was pushing Magic Johnson and Larry Bird aside.(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Chicago Bulls' Michael Jordan shoots over New York Knicks' Charles Oakley during the Bulls 88-87 victory in this Jan. 21, 1997 photo, in Chicago. There was another sign Saturday, Sept. 22, 2001, that Jordan's return is imminent. A column in The Washington Post, without citing sources, said Jordan would confirm ``early next week, probably Monday'' his decision to play for the Washington Wizards this season. (AP Photo/Michael S. Green)
Chicago Bulls' Michael Jordan takes part in the NBA All-Star Slam Dunk contest in Seattle in this Feb. 7, 1987 photo. Jordan, the greatest player in NBA history and the most popular athlete since Muhammad Ali is expected to announce his retirement Wednesday at a news conference in Chicago, a source with close ties to the NBA told The Associated Press on Monday night Jan. 11, 1999. (AP Photo/Kirthmon Dozier)
Michael Jordan, Dwyane Wade and the Jordan Brand launch the AIR JORDAN 2010 (Photo: Business Wire)
MICHAEL JORDAN OF THE CHICAGO BULLS DRIBBLES DOWNCOURT DURING AN NBA GAME. Stephen Dunn Getty Images
CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 14: Michael Jordan (R) of the Chicago Bulls jumps in the air as Karl Malone (L) of the Utah Jazz walks off the court 13 June after game six of the 1997 NBA Finals at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Jordan was named the series MVP, leading the Bulls to a 4-2 series win over the Utah Jazz. (PETER PAWINSKI/AFP/Getty Images)
Series MVP Michael Jordan holds the MVP trophy after the Chicago Bulls defeated the Utah Jazz 87-86 in Game 6 of the NBA Finals in Salt Lake City, June 14, 1998. Jordan, regarded as the greatest player and greatest draw in NBA history, will announce his retirement from the Bulls on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 1999, The Associated Press has learned. Jordan, whose final shot last season brought the Bulls their sixth championship of the decade, will retire for the second time in five years, a source who asked not to be identified told the AP. (AP Photo/Jack Smith)
Former Chicago Bulls' star Michael Jordan kisses the basketball floor of the Chicago Stadium as he leaves it for the last time, in this September 9, 1994 photo. The stadium is due to be torn down. Jordan, the greatest player in NBA history and the most popular athlete since Muhammad Ali is expected to announce his retirement Wednesday at a news conference in Chicago, a source with close ties to the NBA told The Associated Press on Monday night Jan. 11, 1999. (AP Photo/Barry Jarvinen)
Chicago Bulls' Michael Jordan holds the NBA Championship trophy after the Bulls beat the Seattle SuperSonics 87-75 Sunday, June 16, 1996, in Chicago to win their fourth NBA Championship. (AP Photo/Beth A. Keiser)
Michael Jordan makes the winning shot during Sunday night's Game 6 of the NBA Finals at the Delta Center, June 14, 1998, against the Utah Jazz. Jordan, the greatest player in NBA history and the most popular athlete since Muhammad Ali is expected to announce his retirement Wednesday, a source with close ties to the NBA told The Associated Press on Monday night Jan. 12, 1999. The Bulls scheduled a news conference for noon EST Wednesday. (AP Photo/Deseret News, Tom Smart)
Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan holds up the best player trophy after winning the final of the McDonald's Championship against Olympiakos Piraeus of Greece at the Paris Bercy stadium on Saturday Oct. 18, 1997. Score was 104-78.(AP PHOTO/Michel Lipchitz)
Michael Jordan, former basketball player, takes a cut while batting for the Scottsdale Scorpions, baseball club in Scottsdale, AZ., Oct. 6, 1994. (AP Photo/TJ Sokol)
Chicago Bulls' Michael Jordan hugs his mother, Delores, in this Sept. 15, 1990 file photo as his father, James, looks on, during a gala dinner for the Michael Jordan Foundation at the Hotel Nikko in Chicago. Daniel Green was convicted of murder Thursday, Feb. 29, 1996, in Lumberton, N.C., for the 1993 shooting death of James Jordan. (AP Photo/Chicago Tribune, John Bartley, File)
James Jordan, father of Chicago Bulls' Michael Jordan is shown in this 1993 photo. (AP Photo/Tim Boyle)
Daniel Green, convicted of killing James Jordan, father of Michael Jordan, tells the judge he didn't kill Jordan during the sentencing phase of his trial in Lumberton, N.C., Tuesday, March 12, 1996. Judge Gregory Weeks sentenced Green to life in prison.(AP Photo/Bob Jordan,Pool)
Washington Wizards' Michael Jordan (23) goes to the basket against New York Knicks' Kurt Thomas, left, during first-half action, Monday, April 14, 2003, in Washington. The Wizards were wearing replica Washington Bullets uniforms to honor the 25th anniversary of their last NBA title. It was Michael Jordan's last home game.(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Wizards' Michael Jordan (23) tries to get past Detroit Pistons' Corliss Williamson, left, during second-half action of the Pistons' 94-90 overtime win Tuesday, March 18, 2003, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Wizards Michael Jordan waves as he walk off the court at the end of the game against the Philadelphia 76ers Wednesday, April 16, 2003 in Philadelphia. It was Jordan's last NBA game.(AP Photo/Miles Kennedy)
Washington Wizards guard Michael Jordan, left, works the ball inside for a shot against Denver Nuggets forward Donnell Harvey in the first quarter in Denver on Sunday, March 30, 2003. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Cleveland Cavaliers' Ricky Davis, right, defends against Washington Wizards' Michael Jordan (23) during the fourth quarter of Washington's 100-91 win Tuesday, April 8, 2003, in Cleveland. Jordan scored 26 points and had 10 rebounds to lead the Wizards. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
PHILADELPHIA - APRIL 16: Michael Jordan #23 of the Washington Wizards waves to the crowd after being taken out of his final game against the Philidelphia 76ers before retiring on April 16, 2003 at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA - APRIL 16: Michael Jordan #23 of the Washington Wizards looks on during his final game against the Philidelphia 76ers before retiring on April 16, 2003 at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON - APRIL 14: Michael Jordan #23 of the Washington Wizards awaits play downcourt as the New York Knicks defeated the Wizards 93-79 as Jordan played his final home game on April 14, 2003 at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
Washington Wizards' Michael Jordan (23) is congratulated by teammates as he leaves the game against the Seattle SuperSonics with seconds left Wednesday, March 26, 2003, in Seattle. Jordan led all scorers with 26 points in their 80-74 victory. The appearance was Jordan's last regular season game in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Former Chicago Bulls star Scottie Pippen, left, shares a laugh with former coach Phil Jackson, center, and teammate Michael Jordan as Pippen's number is retired during halftime of the Bulls game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, Dec. 9, 2005, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Former Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards guard Michael Jordan wipes tears from his eyes as his presenter Hall of Fame NBA player David Thompson looks on during Jordan's enshrinement ceremony into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., Friday, Sept. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
Former Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards guard Michael Jordan cries as he takes the podium during his enshrinement ceremony into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., Friday, Sept. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
Tiger Woods, right, and Michael Jordan, left, share a laugh as they walk down the first fairway during the pro-am for the Wachovia Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, May 2, 2007. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Michael Jordan, right, lines up a putt with the help of his caddie PGA Tour golfer Fred Couples during the Golf Digest U.S. Open Challenge on Bethpage State Park's Black Course Friday, June 12, 2009 in Farmingdale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
Michael Jordon tees off at the American Century Championship Celebrity Amateur Tournament at Edgewood in Stateline, Nev. on Thursday, July 14, 2005. (AP Photo/Reno Gazette-Journal, Candice Towell)
Charlotte Bobcats coach Larry Brown, left, talks with part-owner Michael Jordan, right, after pre-draft workouts for the team in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, June 25, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
In this Jan. 9, 2010, file photo, Charlotte Bobcats managing partner Michael Jordan, left, talks with player Stephen Jackson during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies in Charlotte, N.C. Jordan struck a deal late Friday, Feb. 26, 2010, to buy a controlling interest in the Bobcats, making the NBA's greatest player the owner of the money-losing team in his home state. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)
DETROIT - APRIL 06: Michael Jordan is announced as a member of the 2009 Hall-of-Fame class at halftime of the Michigan State Spartans and the North Carolina Tar Heels during the 2009 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship game at Ford Field on April 6, 2009 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
This March 1, 2010, file photo shows Michael Jordan looking over a stat sheet in the first half of the Charlotte Bobcats' 89-84 loss to the Dallas Mavericks in an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C. The NBA has signed off on Michael Jordan's bid to buy the Charlotte Bobcats, and commissioner David Stern expects the league's board of governors to approve the purchase by the end of next week. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)
New Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan looks on in the first half of the Bobcats' NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, March 17, 2010. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan looks on during a pre-draft workout for the NBA basketball team in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, June 20, 2011. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Milan, ITALY: Former NBA Chicago Bulls basketball player Michael Jordan speaks to young basketball players as he is in Milan to promote a new clothing line, 24 October 2006. Michael Jordan has added his voice to the impending retirement of Michael Schumacher. (FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images)
Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan watches during the second half of an NBA basketball game between the Charlotte Bobcats and the Atlanta Hawks in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013. Atlanta won 104-92. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Chicago Bulls greats Michael Jordan, right, and Scottie Pippen, left, laugh as Bulls' broadcaster and original head coach Johnny 'Red' Kerr is honored during the halftime of an NBA basketball game between the Bulls and the Detroit Pistons Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009, in Chicago. Kerr has worked for the Bulls in various capacities for 35 of the franchise's 43 seasons, most notably as a team broadcaster for more than 30 years. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
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