Number 23 Michael Jordan Turns 51

Number 23 Michael Jordan Turns 51

Michael Jordan, arguably the best basketball player in NBA history, celebrates his 51st birthday today. The laundry list of achievements for one of the most well-liked and accomplished athletes of all-time are utterly staggering (6-time NBA champion, 5-time NBA MVP, 14-time All-Star, 10-time first team All-NBA, etc.) and would take more than a few sentences to serve them justice.

In 2014, Jordan's overall brand, particularly in terms of merchandise sales and marketability, remain as popular as ever and keep him very relevant in today's social media-driven society. Through an almost unlimited supply of YouTube highlights, he has been "re-introduced" to younger generations as their own hero, even though his main contribution nowadays is in the front office.


Long gone are the days where Jordan magically captured the imaginations of fans across the world as an athlete. Whether he was defying the very limits of gravity by hanging in the air and gracefully dunking the ball or triumpantly leading the Chicago Bulls to multiple championships, Jordan's legend grew to epic proportions with each feat.

Now, at 51, Jordan is almost completely behind the scenes and is even a new father to identical twin daughters, Victoria and Ysabel (born on February 11, 2014), with new wife Yvette Prieto. It marks a new chapter in a life encapsulated by an intense, competitive spirit.

Jordan's role as majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats keeps him active in the NBA. The passion to win is still his burning desire and he has made significant steps to help the Charlotte Bobcats return as a power in the Eastern Conference. With the re-branding back to their original Hornets nickname, the hiring of defensive-minded head coach Steve Clifford, and the emergence of exciting young leaders like Kemba Walker, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Gerald Henderson, the future looks the brightest it's been since Jordan arrived in 2006.

With the historic runs of LeBron James and Kevin Durant, the league is in its best shape since Jordan (finally) retired in 2003. Rightfully so, he is a mainstay on everyone's "Mount Rushmore" list of the top players to ever step on the court, which shows his presence and popularity has never wavered in the eyes of players and fans.

The word "legend" is thrown around loosely in sports these days and does not appropriately match up with the true, influential figures in past generations. Jordan is the exception here, as past and present followers truly bestow upon him the highest honor any athlete can receive: the title of "greatest ever."
Source: www.delayofgame.sportsblog.co