Michael Jordan was humble and nervous when his name was called in the best NBA Draft of all time.
In time, Jordan would become known across the globe as ‘Air Jordan’ or just MJ.
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In months, Michael Jordan went from a humble rookie to the NBA’s next big thingCredit: Getty
But in 1984, arguably the greatest draft in NBA history, he was a skinny young man out of North Carolina with a slight Southern accent — and he wasn’t even the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.
That honor went to Hakeem Olajuwon out of Houston.
The Dream made 12 All-Star teams, was selected to the All-Defensive Team nine times, twice won Defensive Player of the Year, and won two NBA Finals MVPs.
But Jordan is the player who changed the NBA forever and became the GOAT.
His name was first called out by commissioner David Stern on a small stage.
“The Chicago Bulls pick Michael Jordan out of the University of North Carolina,” said Stern, who sported a thick moustache in the early 1980s.
Jordan was in Bloomington, Indiana on draft night, preparing for the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
When he appeared on TV, he wore a low-key beige shirt and spoke in a humble style that was the opposite of his highly confident self in the 1990s.
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David Stern was the first to announce Jordan’s name to NBA fansCredit: youtube@
AirJordanLegend
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A young Jordan was careful with his words and did his best to fit inCredit: youtube@
AirJordanLegend
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He said he’d play any position and just wanted to contribute to the teamCredit: YouTube@AirJordanLegend
“Hopefully I fit pretty well,” Jordan said.
Before he went 6-0 in the NBA Finals and won 10 scoring titles, even Jordan’s professional position was up for debate.
He could have been a guard or small forward, and he was unsure what was waiting in a league dominated by Larry Bird’s Boston Celtics and Magic Johnson’s Los Angeles Lakers.
“It doesn’t matter really,” the new NBA rookie said. “Whatever I can contribute to the team.
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“If I have to play small forward or if I have to play guard, whatever the team needs.”
The Bulls went 27-55 the year before Jordan arrived, so they needed a lot.
“Well, Michael, you’ve got a great opportunity to step in there and win for a city that is crying for a winner,” a TV commentator said.
“That is a fabulous sports town in Chicago. And with a little help from a fella named Michael Jordan, perhaps you can turn that Bulls thing around. What do you think?”
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Jordan was about to take over the NBA and become a living legendCredit: Getty
Legendary greatness waited on the horizon for the NBA, the city of Chicago and the Bulls.
“Hopefully I can go in and contribute and maybe turn it around,” a young Air Jordan said. “You know, I’m looking forward to it.”
The 1984 draft was held at the Felt Forum at Madison Square Garden in New York City and broadcast on the USA Network.
Forty one years later, five of the picks are Hall of Famers, with four being selected in the top 16 (Olajuwon, Jordan, Charles Barkley, John Stockton).
Oscar Schmidt also made the Hall of Fame from the 1984 class, despite never playing in the NBA.
The 2025 NBA Draft takes place on June 26-27 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Duke’s Cooper Flagg and Rutgers’ Dylan Harper are expected to come off the board at No. 1 and No. 2 to the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs, respectively.
Flagg, considered a generational talent, has been given a worrying NBA comparison from one expert, but the man himself still dreams of Larry Bird and hopes the Celtics legend watches his first NBA game.