Jordan's Lucky Day In Basketball Was March 28th

CLEVELAND - I'm the biggest Michael Jordan fan in history, which means that today couldn't possibly pass without me mentioning the sterling performances that took place on this monumental day in his NBA career.

March 28!

Jordan's first March 28th game took place in his rookie season. On March 28, 1985, a 22-year old MJ had a super 35 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds, but the Bulls lost to the Cleveland Cavs. In his 5th season, he had a high triple-double (33 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists) on March 28, 1989 in a victory over Golden State. The following season, 1989-90 would produce his most prolific output on an NBA court ever. Playing in Richfield Coliseum nearly 11 months after his famous buzzer-beating jumper eliminated Cleveland from the 1989 playoffs, Jordan (pictured in this famous game above) dominated with a career-high 69 points along with 18 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals. Chicago won, 117-113 in overtime.

The next season would culminate in the Bulls' first-ever NBA championship. On March 28, 1991, MJ scored 42 points in a mere 30 minutes of a 34-point Bulls blowout of the host New Jersey Nets. A year later on March 28, 1992, Jordan was unguardable as he drilled an amazing 21 of 32 shots including several post up fadeaway jumpers over the woefully mis-matched Steve Kerr, who played for the Cavs at the time and was given the thankless task of defending the soon-to-be six-time NBA scoring champion Jordan.

Jordan retired in the fall of 1993 after an epic, decade-long career, then returned to the court in the Spring of 1995. He struggled mightily in his first three games back in uniform (a peculiar looking number 45) but had a break-out performance March 25 in Atlanta. But it was his virtuoso performance on March 28, 1995 in Madison Square Garden that became legendary. Facing the New York Knicks for the first time since the classic 1993 NBA Playoffs, MJ netted a vintage 55 points and drew a double-team in the closing seconds, only to find teammate Bill Wennington with a flawless pass for the game-winning basket on the assist.

Filmmaker and MJ colleague Spike Lee "coined" the term "double-nickel" to describe Jordan's outstanding 55 point explosion.

That 1995 game was Jordan's final super human March 28 game. In his final game on that day, his luck seemed to run out. On March 28, 2003, a 40-year old Jordan took to the court in Hollywood for a meeting with the defending champion L.A. Lakers. MJ, now a member of the Washington Wizards was facing the league's premier offensive juggernaut, 24-year old Kobe Bryant.

Bryant was similar to what Jordan had been 15 years prior; an unmatched scoring machine with boundless energy and endless creativity with the basketball. He was also completely indefensible in every area of the court. Bryant put on a clinic, scoring a whopping 42 points in the first half alone before finishing with his own double-nickle of 55 points, mirroring MJ's effort from eight years in the past. In this game, the Wizards' Jordan had a tepid 23 points and the whole contest felt like a passing of the torch. Jordan's team was trounced by 14.

March 28 will always be a special day for me as all of the great Jordan memories come to my mind. To the most iconic figure in the history of basketball, I salute you.

You made my day every year.

23 Times Two: Jordan Turns 46 Today

CLEVELAND - I've never made any secret of my insatiable admiration of Michael Jordan and I'm not about to start now, so here goes ...

Happy Birthday, MJ and I love you!

That's right. Call it a man-crush or an obsession, but what it truly is, quite honestly is a serious admiration for Jordan, the basketball giant who turns 46 years of age today and will be in the Hall of Fame by autumn. Thinking of all that he's accomplished in his profession and knowing that it was all as a result of his remarkable mindset and determination makes me smile.

And more driven myself.

Jordan was always the ultimate competitor and thrived on challenges real or perceived. I am very aware that the man has never been perfect, but he is one of a select few perfect examples of how far intensity and ambition can take a person.

Have a great birthday Michael, and may God Bless You with many more!

Big Surprise: Jordan Among Hall of Fame Finalists

CLEVELAND - Michael Jordan's professional basketball career was so legendary and remarkable, that nearly 11 years after he last won a championship and six years since he actually played a pro game...his impact, image and name continues to manifest themselves in today's NBA as if he were a current player.

Not surprising.

Jordan, 46 next week was selected today by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as one of 16 finalists for possible enshrinement into the vaunted Hall of Fame. Former point guard extraordinaire John Stockton and super center David Robinson were also a part of the elite group as were former stars Chris Mullin, Dennis Johnson and Bernard King. NBA coaches Jerry Sloan and Don Nelson and Rutgers coach C. Vivian Stringer also made the list out of 164 nominees.

But Jordan is the obvious headliner.

The basketball icon had an historic career with the Chicago Bulls from 1984 until his sudden retirement three and a half months after leading the team to their 3rd consecutive championship in the 1993 NBA Finals. He then returned in 1995 and spearheaded three more NBA titles in 1996, '97 and '98. When the NBA lockout ended in January 1999, he retired once more until an even more stunning return in late 2001 with the lowly Washington Wizards. After two tumultuous seasons, MJ retired for good in April 2003.

Jordan's glittering resume makes him a master lock for enshrinement later this year. He amassed a league record 10 scoring titles to go with 10 All-NBA First Team Selections, 9 All-Defensive First Team Selections, 6 NBA championships, 6 NBA Finals MVP's, 5 NBA MVP awards, 3 Steals Titles, 2 U.S. Olympic Gold Medals, was the 1985 NBA Rookie of the Year and helped lead the UNC Tarheels to the 1982 NCAA championship. He also has the highest scoring average in NBA history (30.1 ppg in 1,072 games) and in NBA Playoff History.

The election announcement will be made on April 6 and the official enshrinement will take place in September at the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.

Talk about a sure thing.