With career averages of 20.1 points, 4.69 rebounds, and 4.15 assists, Michael Jordan was one of, if not the, brightest stars in the game’s history.
Selected to play in the annual showcase game 14 times (No. 23 didn’t play in 1986 because he was injured), Jordan was named All-Star Game MVP three times (1988, 1996, 1998) and was the first player in history to record a triple-double (14 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists in 1997) in the ASG.
Coincidentally enough, his Airness will be celebrating his 56th birthday on Sunday, the same day the All-Star Game will be held in Charlotte at the home gym of the Hornets, the team he’s now a part owner of.
Coincidence much?
To celebrate MJ’s birthday as well as appreciate his All-Star legacy before he adds another chapter on Sunday as an executive, here are Jordan’s top five All-Star moments in honor of his 56th.
No. 5 – 1987 Slam Dunk Contest in Seattle
What makes it great: When you think of the dunks that made Jordan such an icon (and his shoes so popular), many of them appeared for the first time here. Jordan’s win in the ’87 contest may not have had as much flair as the one the following year over Dominique Wilkins, but the late, great Jerome Kersey was a worthy competitor for MJ, that year at least.
No. 4 – 1998 All-Star Game in New York
What makes it great: In Jordan’s final All-Star game as a member of the Chicago Bulls, he took a young Kobe Bryant – playing in his first ASG – to school. Jordan finished with 23 points, six rebounds, and eight assists and collected his third ASG MVP trophy in the process.
No. 3 – 1988 All-Star Game in Chicago
What makes it great: Playing in front of his hometown fans, Jordan was on fire in 29 minutes of playing, shooting 17-of-23 from the field and a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line. The game’s MVP finished his evening with 40 points, two short of Wilt Chamberlain’s All-Star Game record of 42 set in 1962.
No. 2 – 2003 All-Star Game in Atlanta
What makes it great: In MJ’s final All-Star appearance, he wasn’t voted a starter but got to start the game anyway after Vince Carter gave up his spot. Cold for much of the game, Jordan needed 27 shots to score 20 points. But, despite shooting poorly throughout the game, Jordan canned a ridiculous fallaway jumper to give the East a two-point lead with 4.8 seconds remaining in overtime that should have locked up the win. However, thanks to a dumb foul, the game went into double OT and the West ended up winning.
No. 1 – 1988 Slam Dunk Contest in Chicago
What makes it great: Three years after they faced off in the ’85 Slam Dunk Contest, Jordan and the aforementioned Wilkins finally got a chance to square off again. Though Wilkins was able to edge out Jordan – a rookie at the time – the first time around, No. 23 got the better of him the second time around to capture the second of back-to-back dunk contest wins.
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