#Michael Jordan&039;s Basketball Career

[reviewsduniya]

Michael Jordan's Net Worth in 2024

Explore Michael Jordan’s Net Worth in 2024, featuring an in-depth breakdown of his salary—revealing the precise figure that shapes his wealth. Gain unparalleled insights into his assets, exploring the factors driving his financial success. Follow us for more financial insights and comprehensive reviews at reviewsduniya.com. At reviewsduniya.com, we provide insights into the factors behind…

[jutebugle4-blog]

LaVine's All-Star stats in a disappointing season

Zach LaVine is a star.

The numbers say so. The Bulls shooting guard will finish the season in the top 20 in the NBA in scoring, currently averaging 23.7 points per game. The 24-year-old established career highs in rebounds and assists and was one of 10 guards in the NBA to average at least 23 points, four assists and four rebounds. The others are James Harden, Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Damian Lillard, Kemba Walker, Kyrie Irving, Donovan Mitchell and Russell Westbrook. LaVine scored at least 40 points three times, all in wins, accounting for 14 percent of the team's victories in just those games.

But it is difficult, at times, to see LaVine's brilliance.

Because it is obscured by the clouds of defeat hovering over this Bulls season that concludes this week Tuesday in the United Center against the Knicks and Wednesday in Philadelphia.

LaVine understands, which is also why next season is so crucial for the team and its young players who are hoping to shine for everyone.

"The main thing I learned (this season) is you'll have individual accolades. But a lot of everything comes from winning," LaVine said in a free wheeling session with reporters before Saturday's game with the 76ers. "I think I put together a really, really good year, especially for my position as a guard. But I didn't get the accolades I want as an All-Star or all-NBA. You're not on a winning basketball team. Those things come from that. You have to put winning first.

"We want to be in the position moving forward to where we want to be one of those competing teams," said LaVine. "Come this time next year to be in position to where we are not playing meaningless games. I think I haven't played in a meaningful game in five years of my career. So I think it's getting to the point where you really want to start looking past self things and moving toward (winning) basketball games. It's not fun to go home in April. I (do) think we're in the right direction moving forward, but we have to make some changes individually and as a team to get to that point."

I think I put together a really, really good year, especially for my position as a guard. But I didn't get the accolades I want as an All-Star or all-NBA. You're not on a winning basketball team. Those things come from that. You have to put winning first.

Zach LaVine

This has been a disappointing season for everyone associated with the franchise. The early season injuries to Lauri Markkanen, Kris Dunn, Bobby Portis and Denzel Valentine effectively crushed a season that was supposed to be competitive, if not ultimately fulfilling.

It appeared the Bulls had made an unusually fast turnaround for a rebuilding with the Jimmy Butler trade and then drafting Wendell Carter Jr., the latter who was hurt in January as most of the others returned. It seemed before that the Bulls could be in theoretical playoff contention perhaps into April, like Charlotte, Miami, Detroit and Orlando. Not all will make the playoffs, but they have been in playoff-like settings the last few weeks scrambling for that goal.

LaVine, Dunn and Markkanen would not commit to whether they would be playing if the Bulls were in such a position now. Though draft lottery positioning and player analysis seemed to become a factor once Otto Porter Jr. suffered some physical issues after the trade of Portis and Jabari Parker. Though LaVine's point is significant. Habits are developed. Losing can become one, also, if success is withheld too long.

That it's a concern of LaVine's as much as the organization is a positive.

It's what everyone will do about it.

LaVine dunks

Not much can be foreseen yet with the draft lottery May 14 with several exceptional talents in the draft, and free agency possibilities. The Bulls are expected to be a player for other than the few elite free agents. So the roster could undergo yet another makeover with coach Jim Boylen going into his first full season after replacing Fred Hoiberg.

But much of that success will be focused around the 6-5 LaVine, who has been the team's best player this season.

Though he only played 63 games in his first full season after ACL surgery in February 2017, LaVine was the team's most reliable scorer and a regular playmaking facilitator, second on the team in assists. It's an impressive redemption from a free agency when many local critics argued the Bulls should not match his $78 million/four-year offer from Sacramento.

"Now it's looking like I'm a pretty good deal, right," LaVine said with a laugh.

The Bulls have hoped Markkanen would break through, and he showed signs after missing the first two months with an elbow injury. But he faded in March and then experienced a potential heart issue, which seems under control. Porter added a nice bounce to the team after the trade, but he's had a series of minor injuries. Carter showed promise, but was hurt, and Dunn has been inconsistent. There are potential luminaries in the draft, but they are teenagers without pro experience.

Come this time next year to be in position to where we are not playing meaningless games.

Zach LaVine

The Bulls are fortunate to have a talent as outstanding as LaVine. But he also understands there is another level of excellence he has to reach before the Bulls can begin again to achieve those post season goals.

LaVine said in his interview session he believes the Bulls will be a playoff team next season. But what else would he say? Put it this way: If he said anything else, who would even want him on the team.

But because of his immense talent—and it is unique with his extraordinary athletic ability and incredible recovery from serious injury—LaVine is most likely in line to be the team's leader. Markkanen and Porter tend to be quiet and Carter is young. Plus, no one else makes (and takes) as many big shots at the end of games. That's mostly what NBA leadership is about.

Leadership is not about saying it; it's about doing it.

LaVine to his credit understands he's not quite there yet even though his statistics project excellence.

Greatness in sports is consistency, being able to produce exceptional numbers regularly and thus take the pressure off your teammates so they can perform. LaVine showed he could do that this season, averaging more than 20 points for the first time in his career. That's the first step on the superstar ladder. But if LaVine is to climb higher and take the Bulls with him, he understands 63 games is not nearly enough, and the 23.7 points per game probably is not quite enough. The 3.4 turnovers per game certainly is too much, though Michael Jordan averaged more than three turnovers per game his first six years in the NBA. If you have the ball, you are going to make mistakes. But having that ball also requires you to make the deciding and determining plays that separate winning and losing. That's now on LaVine.

"I just have to keep trying to improve my game," LaVine agreed. "You have to look at yourself in the mirror and try to improve the faults you had. I think I had a really good year this year, but there are a lot of things I think I could have done much better across the board, get to the line more, slow down the turnovers. I'm going to take this just as serious if not more serious than last year. I think if you can improve yourself first that will help the team.

"I want to continue to be consistent, somebody who (you) can pretty much stamp in and know what you're going to get from them on a daily basis," LaVine explained. "Obviously, I have to (also) look at my defense on both ends. I've always felt like I've been a really good individual defender, but off the ball I think I have to put a lot more effort. I expect to improve each coming year. I think that's what you have to do to take your game to the next level. I help the team offensively in a big way, so if I can do it on both ends of the floor that elevates my game and the team's chance to win."

LaVine drives

The individual progression LaVine made from a third option averaging 18.9 points per game in Minnesota before his injury to a first option averaging almost 27 per game after the All-Star break is exceptional in the NBA. Sure, the Bulls had injuries, forcing LaVine to average a career high 18 field goal attempts and 34.5 minutes per game. It's a breakthrough only the potential All-Stars can make.

But they don't get into the conversation without team success, which players understand better after being relieved of the pressure of their first major contract.

That's where LaVine has come, and he'll be under the microscope as much as the team next season. Their fates are intertwined.

"I think we're on the right path (toward the playoffs)," LaVine insisted. "I think we'll be there. Because stuff has to eventually turn. You can't as a player continue to be on the lower end of the totem poll. I think it has to switch the mindset for you personally and for the team. I think next year we have to start off really early and have that be our main goal. It doesn't matter about individual things. You have to put that first. I think we have enough talent. There's things we have to do better. But talent wise on paper, I don't see a lot of teams better than us in the East.

"I like how we always fought," LaVine said. "I think our record didn't show actually how good we were. We were in pretty much every game that we played. There were some games where the score was out of reach and we didn't play, but I feel like that's (common) for everyone. You're going to have games like that. But we were better than what our record proved. We just have to learn how to win. It's a tough thing. I don't think it just happens at this level. Sometimes you get lucky and you're blessed to go to a team that's championship level or a contender. But I think going through these tough times you're going to look back on them and be more humble and happy that you went through them.'

LaVine was in the top five in scoring the first month of the season with most of the regulars out. It was a test, an opportunity and a burden. LaVine passed and was also among the league leaders in free throw attempts early. But with the mounting losses, the coaching change, an ankle sprain he fought through missing only five games when it was feared he could miss a month—did anyone mention all the losses—the usually upbeat LaVine began to retreat. He was the most accessible team spokesman all season with his garrulous personality and leading attendance. He never evaded the media and proved a thoughtful subject. But he clearly began to wear out over the defeats until a reprieve for a month following the Porter trade. He says it further proved to him his hopes for the team are accurate and reasonable.

LaVine and Otto Porter Jr. high five

"We just couldn't find a way to win," LaVine said about those dark days in December and January. "It's tough when you get to those stretches because it just feels like the world is against you. But we're going to come out better on the other end of those. We'll remember those days and how it felt. You've got to go through those bumps and bruises. Sometimes you've got to get beat up by a bully before you beat him up.'

Zach and the Bulls say they're going to come out fighting next time with perhaps a little twinkle in their eyes and their souls. Wish he does, wish he might, have next season go right.

Source: https://www.nba.com/bulls/news/lavines-all-star-stats-disappointing-season

[advicearcher92-blog]

LeBron James Passes Dirk Nowitzki for 6th on NBA's All-Time Scoring List

In the infancy of the latest chapter of his career, LeBron James added another piece to his legacy by passing Dirk Nowitzki for sixth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.

James hit from mid-range with 7:51 left in the third quarter of the Lakers’ game against San Antonio on Saturday, reaching 31,188 career points — one more than Nowitzki, whom he also passed as the league’s leading scorer among active players.

One of the most prolific offensive weapons in NBA history, James reached his spot on the list despite ranking just 54th in career games played. His 27.16 points per game are the fourth-most ever, trailing only Michael Jordan (30.12), Wilt Chamberlain (30.07) and Elgin Baylor (27.36).

LeBron has ranked among the NBA’s top 10 in total points for all 15 seasons of his career. He has spent 11 seasons among the top three, including last year when he scored the most points in the league.

James scored 35 points against the Spurs on Saturday, brining his career total to 31,202.

He now only trails Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387), Karl Malone (36,928), Kobe Bryant (33,643), Michael Jordan (32,292) and Wilt Chamberlain (31,419) in the history books. He is on pace to pass Jordan and Chamberlain this season.

Of James’ career total, 74.1 percent of his points were scored during his 11 years with Cleveland, while 25.4 percent came during his four seasons in Miami. In just six games with the Lakers, he has scored 164 points — constituting 0.5 percent of his entire work.

Since James’ Heat team lost to Nowitzki’s Dallas Mavericks in the 2011 NBA Finals, James has won 10 of their last 11 head-to-head meetings. The Lakers host the Mavs on Halloween this Wednesday, but Nowtizki’s status is in question due to a sore left ankle.

In the same game against San Antonio, LeBron passed Shaquille O’Neal (11,330) for the sixth-most made field goals in a career (11,339).

“Dirk has always been one of my favorite players, and I think Shaq is the most dominant player to ever play this game,” James said. “For me to be in the same conversation with those guys, in anything we’re talking about as far as basketball, it’s a tribute as far as just being humble and knowing where I come from.

“Being from Akron, Ohio — a small town where most African-American kids don’t make it out of — any time I’m able to do something like that, I give it all back to my hometown and the kids just like me.”

Source: https://www.nba.com/lakers/news/181027-lebron-james-passes-dirk-nowitzki-6th-nbas-all-time-scoring-list

[ravensunday6-blog]

Did WCJ's Rookie Season Show Signs Of An Emerging Star?

The rookie season of Wendell Carter Jr. ended this week in disappointment with thumb surgery after 44 games. But it mostly carries with it hope and promise after arguably the best rookie season for a center in franchise history.

“It was fun,” Carter told reporters Tuesday in the Advocate Center in his first comments since his season ending surgery. “I had a lot of ups and downs throughout the season, which I was going to go through at some point in my career. It was fun being able to bond with my teammates, which I plan on doing for the rest of the season (by staying with the team).

“That was something I always worked for ever since I was a kid, to be able to get to the NBA,” Carter said. “Not just get here, but also be a star in this league. Those games show the potential I have in this league.”

Carter’s first season showed averages of 10.3 points, seven rebounds and three blocks, which rank eighth among rookies in points, second in rebounds and second in blocks. It’s an excellent start for a 19-year-old with just one year of college as the No. 7 selection in the 2018 draft.

And while center production is not a high bar in franchise annals, Carter looks like he’s going to scale it easily on the way to being one of the top centers in franchise history. Though a bit on the small side for a center at 6-10, Carter is strong at a listed 255 pounds with excellent reactions.

In franchise history, perhaps only Tom Boerwinkle and Erwin Mueller achieved as much as Carter in a rookie season. Boerwinkle averaged 9.8 points and 11.1 rebounds as a rookie, primarily as a passing, high post center who played four years at Tennessee. Though often unappreciated playing with the rugged Bulls of the early 1970s who played in two conference finals, Boerwinkle was a vital part of the best Bulls team until the Michael Jordan era. Second rounder Mueller in the team's inaugural season averaged 12.7 points, but was quickly traded after trying to defect to the ABA.

The most decorated first round draft pick Bulls center was Joakim Noah, who averaged just 6.8 points and 5.6 rebounds his rookie season. Other centers the Bulls drafted in the first round included Eddy Curry, Will Perdue, Dalibor Bagaric and Travis Knight. Elton Brand, Sidney Green, Orlando Woolridge, Charles Oakley, David Greenwood, Kornel David and Stacey King were considered forwards.

Noah actually had a similar surgery as did Kirk Hinrich, and Carter said he was told both found their hands strengthened afterward. Though Carter isn’t advising anyone to repeat his experience.

He suffered the freak injury in an unusual way against the Lakers Jan. 15.

He was turning to run back on defense and got tangled with Tyson Chandler. Carter put his hand down to brace for a fall, apparently then damaging a ligament. Post game x-rays were inconclusive and then an MRI in Los Angeles indicated it might not be serious. But a visit to the team’s specialist back in Chicago showed the need for surgery and an eight-to-12 week recovery.

“It’s kind of sore, but it’s nothing I can’t get through,” Carter said. “To not be able to finish out the season as a rookie... that’s something I wanted to do. I’m just looking at the long-term now. I take off the cast in like 10 days and start rehabbing with a splint.

“It started off with them saying it didn’t look so good but knowing I needed a second opinion. So I wasn’t that devastated,” Carter related. “Then coming back here and seeing a hand specialist, they told me I needed surgery for sure. I was devastated. I didn’t think (when it happened) it was that bad. It didn’t hurt. I was planning on playing Saturday (back in Chicago). It wasn’t the pain that made me get the surgery. It was more so the structure of the tendons.

“So many people have had this injury and (if you) don’t get it taken care of bones are coming out of their socket very easily,” Carter said. “I wanted to eliminate all that. If I was to get in a cast and come back and (had a setback), then I’d have to wait another eight weeks and (then) get the surgery. So I just went ahead and knocked it out to get it out of the way.”

It’s certainly a disappointment for the Bulls and Carter, but Carter, who turns 20 in April, showed plenty in his half season to maintain team optimism about his future.

Carter was rarely the focus of the offense or featured prominently, used more for screening, defense, basket protection and rebounding. He has a fluid shooting stroke, but barely ventured far outside to shoot threes as many big men do now in the NBA. He had trouble at times with some of the taller, offensive oriented centers, like Joel Embiid and Karl-Anthony Towns. But Carter had his best games against some of the league’s best big men.

Carter’s best game probably was early in the season when the Bulls lost at the overtime buzzer on a Paul Millsap putback. Carter, playing against MVP candidate Nikola Jokic, had 25 points, eight rebounds, five assists, three blocks and three steals. Carter missed the rematch with Jokic last week after his injury. About a month later at the end of November, Carter had 28 points, seven rebounds and three blocks against the Pistons’ Andre Drummond. And in the start of the Western Conference trip in Portland, Carter scored 22 points against developing big man Jusuf Nurkic.

Carter only averaged about eight field goal attempts per game and fewer than one three pointer per game, conservative offensive statistics that likely will change as he is involved more in the offense. The Bulls this season have concentrated offensively more around Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen, Bobby Portis and Kris Dunn.

So despite the sudden end of his rookie season, Carter remains confident in the core the team is building.

“I feel like everybody here is bought in,” Carter said. “We just have to get a better feel for one another when we’re on the court. Especially with the draft coming up, depending on who we draft, we’ll be able to mold this team into something very special.”

The Bulls have been starting Robin Lopez since Carter’s injury, but that could change by trading deadline. If Lopez is not with the team, Portis probably will play center and forward. Many teams, like Indiana with Myles Turner, use forwards to play center.

Carmelo Anthony won’t play there.

The Bulls announced Tuesday they completed a trade of the draft rights of Tadija Dragićević to the Houston Rockets in exchange for forward Anthony, the draft rights to Jon Diebler and cash considerations. Dragićević, 6-9 and 247, was the 53rd overall pick by Utah in the 2008 NBA Draft. His rights were acquired by the Bulls in 2014 for Greg Smith. Dragićević has played professionally in several countries during his career, most recently in Spain this season. Diebler was the 51st overall pick by Portland in the 2011 NBA Draft following his senior season at Ohio State. His rights were acquired by Houston in 2012. Diebler is currently playing in the Turkish League. There has to be “value” in the form of a player or draft pick in a trade. The Bulls recently did a similar transaction with Houston involving Michael Carter-Williams. He was waived by the Bulls.

It is regarded as more of a bookkeeping transaction for both teams regarding luxury tax liability and salary cap space. Anthony is not expected to play for the Bulls. He could be traded or perhaps eventually released.

It’s a long way from the summer of 2014 when Anthony opted out of his contract with the Knicks after averaging 27.4 points per game along with 8.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists. He was regarded among the top five players in the NBA. The Bulls pursued an intense recruitment of Anthony as a free agent. He’d eventually agree to resign with the Knicks, though he later said he regretted not taking the Bulls offer.

Anthony’s play declined precipitously with changes under new team president Phil Jackson and in the NBA. Anthony was an All-Star starter as recently as 2016 and All-Star in 2017. He demanded a trade and went to Oklahoma City in 2017-18. After a poor season, he was traded to Atlanta and bought out. He signed a minimum contract with Houston last summer, but was sent home after 10 games for internal issues. At 34, he is regarded as too slow, one dimensional, indifferent and disinclined to play again for a team with a losing record.

Many are speculating if he plays in the NBA again, it will be with his friend LeBron James in Los Angeles. Though he is regarded as a sure so called first ballot hall of famer for an exceptional basketball career.

For the Bulls, they’ll move on and wait for Wendell. They’re resolute in his return, recovery and resilience.

Source: https://www.nba.com/bulls/features/did-wcjs-rookie-season-show-signs-emerging-star

[wealthbronze59-blog]

LeBron James Surpasses Wilt Chamberlain as NBA's 5th-Leading Scorer of All-Time

After muscling past his defender for an and-1 floater, LeBron James stepped to the foul line and sunk his free throw, making league history in the process.

With that extra point, he passed Wilt Chamberlain for the NBA’s fifth-most points of all-time.

“To do what he did and get on the top five of that list and play basketball the way he plays basketball — with how unselfish he is and how great he is at getting his teammates involved — is something that should be praised and talked about,” Lakers coach Luke Walton said.

“I’m doing my part congratulating one of the all-time greats on a great accomplishment.”

By dropping 44 points against Portland on Wednesday, James — who succeeded Dirk Nowitzki for sixth place just three weeks ago — now has 31,425 career points.

Only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387), Karl Malone (36,928), Kobe Bryant (33,643) and Michael Jordan (32,292) have ever scored more. James is on pace to pass Jordan this season.

LeBron is undeniably one of the greatest scorers the league has ever seen, ascending to fifth all-time in points despite playing just the 52nd-most games.

His 27.15 career scoring average trails only Jordan (30.12), Chamberlain (30.07) and Elgin Baylor (27.36).

Now a member of the Lakers, it was only fitting that James surpassed Chamberlain in the arena where his jersey hangs in the rafters.

Chamberlain enjoyed a 14-year career, leading the league in scoring in half of those. He played from 1959-73, concluding with five seasons as a Laker.

“[Chamberlain was] one of the most dominant forces we ever had in our game, along with Shaq,” James said. “One of the greatest Lakers that ever played the game.

“Hundred-point scorer. One of the greatest scorers and rebounds to ever play this game. Multi-sport, [multi]-dimension type of athlete. People never saw something like that in that era. Just dominated in all walks of life, not only basketball.”

When the buzzer sounded on his historic night, James immediately tracked down the game ball.

Later, he revealed that he planned to send the ball and his uniform to the I Promise School, which he founded in Akron, Ohio.

“Any time my name is mentioned with some of the greats that played this game, I always think of my hometown and where I come from and how far I’ve come,” James said. “That’s it for me.”

Source: https://www.nba.com/lakers/news/181115-lebron-james-surpasses-wilt-chamberlain-nbas-5th-leading-scorer-all-time

[newssplashy]

Sports: WHERE ARE THEY NOW? The other big-name players from Michael Jordan's final NBA game

Michael Jordan's final NBA game featured several big-name players who had great careers.

It has been 15 years since Michael Jordan last graced an NBA court in uniform.

The widely considered greatest of all-time is best known for his dominant years with the Chicago Bulls, but Jordan ended his career with two somewhat underwhelming seasons with the Washington Wizards.

On April 16, 2003, Jordan played his last game in the NBA, scoring 15 points in a 107-87 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers before hanging up his sneakers for good.

That game featured a surprising amount of big-name NBA players, some of whom had great careers.

See what happened to the other prominent players from that game.

Michael Jordan played his final game against the Philadelphia 76ers on April 16, 2003, wrapping up a legendary career. He scored 15 points with 4 rebounds, and 4 assists.

Today, Jordan is the owner of the Charlotte Hornets. He's widely considered the greatest player of all-time, with six championship rings and the fourth-most points scored in NBA history.

Across from Jordan was Allen Iverson, one of the biggest names in the NBA at the time. He led all players that night by scoring 35 points.

Iverson retired in 2010 and ranks 30th all-time in points scored. He was elected into the Hall of Fame in 2016 and most recently took part in the Big3 three-on-three league.

Playing alongside Jordan was Larry Hughes, the Wizards' third-leading scorer that year. He scored 11 points that night.

Hughes played in the NBA until 2012. Since retiring, he formed a basketball academy and has participated in the Big3.

Several other big names played alongside Jordan as well, including Christian Laettner.

Laettner would only go on to play two more seasons in the NBA. He now runs the Christian Laettner Basketball Academy and hosts kids' camps.

Tyronn Lue was also on the Wizards.

Today, Lue is the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The leading scorer for the Wizards that night was Kwame Brown.

Brown had a tumultuous time in Washington. He failed to live up to his lofty expectations as the No. 1 pick and often received criticism from Jordan. He did have a solid 12-year career and most recently played for the Big3.

Brendan Haywood came off the bench for the Wizards that season, giving them a big body for rebounds and rim protection.

Haywood played until 2015. Today he's an analyst for NBA TV.

Eric Snow was back-court partners with Iverson and scored 14 points in Jordan's final game.

Snow retired in 2008. He spent some time coaching, most recently working as an assistant coach at Florida Atlantic University.

Keith Van Horn came off the bench for the 76ers, scoring 14 points.

Van Horn played nine seasons in the NBA, averaging 16 points per game for his career. He is the co-founder and coach of a Colorado basketball academy.

The Wizards were coached by Doug Collins that year. Collins also coached Jordan early in his career with the Bulls.

Collins went on to coach the 76ers seven years later. He owns a 442-407 record as a head coach. Today he is a senior advisor to the Chicago Bulls and previously worked as a TV analyst.

The 76ers were coached by Larry Brown.

Brown is eighth all-time in coaching wins in the NBA. He last coached at Southern Methodist University in 2016 and is reportedly in the running for a role at Memphis.

Now, check out some of the incoming stars in the stacked NBA Draft class...

The top 30 prospects of the 2018 NBA draft >

source https://www.newssplashy.com/2018/04/sports-where-are-they-now-other-big_17.html