Joe Levit - Michael Jordan: Flying High

Lerner Publications Minneapolis

Joe Levit

Copyright 2021 by Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.

All rights reserved. International copyright secured. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwisewithout the prior written permission of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc., except for the inclusion of brief quotations in an acknowledged review.

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Designer: Susan Fienhage

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Levit, Joseph, author.

Title: Michael Jordan : flying high / Joe Levit.

Description: Minneapolis : Lerner Publications, [2021] | Series: Epic sports bios (Lerner sports) | Includes bibliographical references and index. | Audience: Ages | Audience: Grades K1 | Summary: The Chicago Bulls drafted Michael Jordan without knowing he would raise the standard for how basketball is played forever. In this epic biography, learn what makes him a living legend Provided by publisher.

Identifiers: LCCN 2019046343 (print) | LCCN 2019046344 (ebook) | ISBN 9781541597433 (library binding) | ISBN 9781728413402 (paperback) | ISBN 9781728400099 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Jordan, Michael, 1963 Juvenile literature. | Basketball playersUnited States BiographyJuvenile literature. | Chicago Bulls (Basketball team)HistoryJuvenile literature.

Classification: LCC GV884.J67 L48 2021 (print) | LCC GV884.J67 (ebook) | DDC 796.323092/2 [B]dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019046343

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019046344

Manufactured in the United States of America

1-47847-48287-2/6/2020

Contents

No Stopping Him

Jordan dribbles the ball past Byron Russell of the Jazz in the Flu Game.

O n June 11, 1997, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls showed up in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Bulls were facing the Utah Jazz in Game of the NBA Finals. The series was tied This was an important game, and the Bulls had a wounded warrior on their side. Jordan had a fever of over 100F (38C).

Facts at a Glance

Date of birth: February 17, 1963

Position: shooting guard and small forward

League: National Basketball Association (NBA)

Professional highlights: hit the game-winning shot in the 1982 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championship Game; third overall pick by the Bulls in the 1984 NBA Draft; won six NBA championships; won NBA scoring titles

Personal highlights: played in statewide and countrywide basketball camps as a teenager; took a break to play baseball for a year during his basketball career; became part owner of the Washington Wizards after his retirement; presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016 by President Barack Obama

The Jazz jumped out to a 16-point lead in the first quarter. By halftime, Jordan had scored points. But he struggled in the third quarter. In the last quarter, Jordan scored seven points in a run by the Bulls.

Jordan finished the game with a three-point shot to win with less than a minute left. He was partly carried off the court, later revealing that he almost fainted. For many people, it proved that Jordan was a legend in the making.

Jordan celebrates the 1997 NBA championship with the Larry OBrien Trophy.