Jordan sinks Georgetown--March 29, 1982
Michael Jordan was a skinny 19-year-old when he took the floor for North Carolina against Georgetown in the 1982 NCAA title game at the Louisiana Superdome. It became Jordan's national coming-out party as he sank the winning shot, a 16-foot jumper, with 15 seconds left as the Tar Heels beat the Hoyas 63-62.

Air Jordan is grounded--Nov. 5, 1985
Jordan suffered the only serious injury of his career when he broke the navicular tarsal bone in his left foot three games into the season. Jordan sat out 64 games before returning late in the season.

Who you calling rusty?--April 21, 1986
Jordan averaged a career-low 22.7 points for those 18 games he played that season. But in the playoffs against Boston, Jordan showed that the foot injury didn't cripple his game. Jordan went off for 63 points, a playoff record, in the 135-131 double-overtime loss to the Celtics in Game 2. He averaged 43.7 points for the three-game series.

Dunk you very much--Feb. 7, 1987
Some had called Jordan "Superman" since his days at North Carolina. During the All-Star Weekend in Seattle, he really did look like Superman. Jordan won the Slam Dunk contest, and his most memorable slam was where he did like Superman, soaring toward the basket and throwing the ball down as he zoomed past the rim.

First for firsts--1987
Jordan finished the 1986-87 season with an average of 37.1 points per game to capture his first scoring title. It wouldn't be his last as he also won scoring crowns in 1988-93 and '96-98. He was also voted first team all-NBA for the first time. He would earn that honor again in 1988-93 and '96-98.

Air takes off--Feb. 5, 1988
How does Jordan top the Superman dunk? By paying tribute to Julius Erving. At the 1988 All-Star Game Weekend at Chicago Stadium, Jordan won the Slam Dunk contest. His dunk after taking off from the foul line brought the house down.

The best--1988
The Bird-Magic Era officially became the Air Era when Jordan was named the league's Most Valuable Player. He would also be named MVP in 1991, '92, '96 and '98. Jordan did more than score that year -- he was also named to the first team all-Defensive team that season. He would receive that honor eight other times (1989-93, '96-98).

Hello, Ehlo--May 7, 1989
Remember when some people said Jordan wasn't a threat from the outside (they seemed to have forgotten his shot against Georgetown)? Jordan sank a jumper, despite defensive pressure from Craig Ehlo, at the buzzer as the Bulls beat Cleveland 101-100 in a loser-out game of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Rare Air in Cleveland--March 28, 1990
Just in case Jordan didn't think he tormented Cavalier fans enough, he decided to drop 69 points in the 117-113 overtime win at Cleveland. Jordan made 23 of 37 shots from the field and 21 of 23 free throws. He also grabbed 18 rebounds, 11 defensive. Ehlo, by the way, scored 26 for the Cavs.

We are the champions--June 12, 1991
Jordan and the Bulls spotted the Lakers the first game in the NBA Finals before winning four straight to claim Chicago's first title. Jordan averaged 31.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 8.4 assists during the postseason. He also was named the MVP of the NBA Finals, and made a memorable shot by switching the ball in his hands while flying through the air.

Repeat after me--June 14, 1992
Who can forget Jordan shrugging to the courtside media during the first half of Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Blazers? Jordan torched the Blazers by making six 3-pointers in the first half to set a NBA Finals record by scoring 35 points before halftime. Jordan was the Finals MVP once again and averaged 34.5 points for the postseason.

Threepeat is so neat--June 20, 1993
Jordan met up with his pal Charles Barkley in the NBA Finals. The Bulls won their third straight title by ousting the Suns in six games. Big surprise -- Jordan was named MVP for the Finals for the third straight year after averaging 41.0 points against the Suns, a NBA Finals record.

Time to retire--Oct. 6, 1993
Jordan stuns the world by announcing his retirement from basketball at age 30. Jordan says he retired because he had nothing to prove in basketball. His father, James, was murdered earlier that summer in North Carolina. Jordan retired with the highest career scoring average in NBA history at 32.3 points per game.

Let's play ball--April 8, 1994
On Feb. 7, 1994, Jordan signs a professional baseball contract with the Chicago White Sox. He is assigned to the Class AA Birmingham Barons and makes his debut on April 8. He ends the season with a .202 average with 30 stolen bases, 51 RBI and 114 strikeouts in 127 games.

In the rafters--Nov. 1, 1994
The Bulls pay tribute to Jordan by retiring his No. 23. Why did Jordan pick No. 23? Jordan's favorite number growing up was No. 45. When Jordan got to high school, his older brother, Larry, wore No. 45. So Jordan decided to split that in half -- 22½. So he rounded it up to No. 23.

I'm back--March 19, 1995
Jordan just couldn't stay away from basketball. With baseball sidelined by a players' strike, Jordan decided to return to the Bulls. He made his return against the Pacers, and a rusty Jordan (wearing No. 45 since his No. 23 was retired) scored 19 points in the 103-96 overtime loss. On March 29, he shook off the rust by dropping a double-nickel (55 points) against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

His title? NBA champ--June 16, 1996
Just in case anyone wondered how much Jordan meant to the Bulls, in his first full season since his premature retirement, Jordan powers the Bulls to the NBA championship. He is named MVP for the Finals after averaging 27.3 points against Seattle.

One of the 50 greatest--Oct. 29, 1996
The NBA, to publicize the league's 50th anniversary, decided to honor the game's 50 Greatest Players. We don't know if the vote was unanimous, but you know Jordan was one of the locks for that team.

Drive for five--June 13, 1997
Jordan finally had a ring for each finger on his hand as the Bulls beat the Jazz in six games for their fifth title of the decade. Jordan again was named MVP of the Finals by averaging 32.3 points while getting a measure of revenge against Utah's Karl Malone, who ended Jordan's streaks of being named the regular season MVP.

MVP, MVP, MVP, MVP, MVP--May 18, 1998
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Bill Russell. Michael Jordan. They are the only players to be named the NBA's regular season Most Valuable Player at least five times. Chamberlain and Jordan have each won the award five times. Abdul-Jabbar won it six times. Yeah, but Jordan sat out almost two full seasons in his prime while he tried to hit a baseball.

Repeat it: Threepeat--June 14, 1998
The Jazz must know how Craig Ehlo felt after Jordan got the best of Utah on the national stage again. Jordan delivered the final blow, sinking the game-winning jumper with 5.2 seconds left after faking out Bryon Russell. Jordan's shot, set up by his steal from Karl Malone, gave the Bulls the title. Jordan was named Finals MVP for the sixth time, averaging 33.5 points against the Jazz.

Hanging it up for good--Jan. 13, 1999
Some held out hope that he'd change his mind right to the end, but Michael Jordan sat at a podium at the United Center and told the world that he won't be coming back to the Bulls. "I played it to the best I could play it. I tried to be the best basketball player I could be," Jordan said.

Top dog--Dec. 26, 1999
Named Athlete of the Century by ESPN, beating out Babe Ruth.

New gig--Jan. 19, 2000
Joins the Washington Wizards as part-owner and president of basketball operations. Jordan also acquires an ownership stake in the Washington Capitals.

I'm Back--Sept. 25, 2001
Jordan makes return official, agreeing to a two-year deal to play for the Wizards.