~Enrique~

(貼心小建議：--- 別忘暫停一下背景音樂囉，方可欣賞精采影片喔!)

第一次出場


(貼心小建議：--- 別忘暫停一下背景音樂囉，方可欣賞精采影片喔!)



第二次出場


(貼心小建議：--- 別忘暫停一下背景音樂囉，方可欣賞精采影片喔!)



＊
因為Ｊｏｒｄａｎ露面的時間真的很短，所以如果有收看新聞的話，其
實就已經看到全部了，不過若想看看從台下角度的感受的話，就看看嚕！

美國職籃NBA總冠軍賽冠軍戒指得主終於揭曉，「聖安東尼奧馬刺隊」經過七場辛苦的鏖戰，終於不負球迷及鄉親父老的期待，以81比74，在主場拿下了今年美國職籃NBA的總冠軍！

今天的這場比賽，在馬刺隊的主場舉行，由於攸關冠軍戒指誰屬，雙方無不卯足全勁；第一節，活塞以16比18，小輸馬刺兩分；活塞隊在第二節追上，以23比20領先馬刺；第三節，馬刺再以19比18，領先活塞；第三節打完，雙方以57比57打成平手，比賽之緊繃，可見一般；第四節，雙方打起防守戰，不求搶分，只求不失分，戰況之緊張，也可以從最後二十秒雙方頻頻犯規看得出來；活塞最後可能求勝心太急，幾次犯規讓馬刺有了罰球得分的機會，終場，「馬刺隊」就以81比74，擊敗「活塞隊」，拿下了今年的冠軍戒指，也刺破了「活塞隊」的冠軍夢。

今年的NBA總冠軍賽，戰況可說峰迴路轉，「馬刺隊」起初以二比○的戰績領先，不過「活塞」後來急起直追，打到二平，後來的兩場比賽，雙方也互不相讓各勝一場，打到三平，使得NBA總冠軍賽自1994年之後，再度出現要以第七場決勝負的情況；結果「馬刺隊」果然在自己的主場，不負球迷期待，拿下了第四勝，贏得了今年的NBA總冠軍。

手中握有五枚NBA總冠軍戒指的Robert Horry今天再度讓所有球迷見識到「季後賽先生」的能耐。

儘管Horry今天在上半場沒有任何表現，但到了下半場決勝關頭時，他再度展現「季後賽先生」的威力。Horry今天12次出手命中7球、三分球 6投5中，貢獻21分、7籃板，不但所有得分都集中在下半場，他更在比賽結束前5.8秒飆進逆轉戰局的致勝三分彈，幫助馬刺在延長賽中以96比95力破活塞，辛苦摘下關鍵第五戰的勝利果實。

有了前一戰從馬刺手中拿下「破百」成績的活塞，今天在第一節就繳出52.9%的高投籃命中率，加上平時不上擅罰球的Ben Wallace該節4次罰球線上出手彈無虛發，使活塞在首節結束時以23比21領先。然而，馬刺在第二節提升防守強度，讓活塞的投籃命中率急速下滑，並以一波16比5的攻勢扭轉頹勢，甚至一度反超前達9分，但活塞在該節最後兩分鐘內回敬一波7比2的攻勢，硬是在上半場結束時將比數扳平。

進入下半場後，戰況依舊呈現膠著，馬刺有Tim Duncan宰治禁區，而活塞則靠著Chauncey Billups頻頻撕裂對手防線，加上活塞下半場積極掌控進攻籃板，獲得多次二波進攻機會。正規比賽結束前51.3秒，Billups突破Bruce Bowen的防守後上籃得手，讓活塞取得1分超前，但18秒後Duncan兩罰中一，兩隊再度回到同一個起跑點上。

雖然Billups在最後16.9秒上籃失手後使馬刺有大好機會摘下勝利果實，只可惜Maun Ginobili的關鍵突破被Ben Wallace毀掉，而Duncan也在身體失去平衡的強況下無法將球補進，因此給了活塞一線生機。

延長賽前半，活塞依舊氣勢如虹，只不過，他們忽略了Horry在關鍵時刻的破壞力。比賽結束前1分25秒，Horry演出一記精采的飛身灌籃，不但幫助馬刺將落後差距縮小至2分，更大大提振球隊士氣。雖然活塞後來有機會拉開比數，但Billups在最後9.4秒的上籃失手，給了馬刺演出逆轉秀的機會。

到了這種決勝關頭，馬刺當然要把執行關鍵一擊的重責大任交給下半場表現搶眼的Horry。馬刺發完前場界外球後，保有2分領先優勢的活塞立即對 Ginobili採取包夾防守，結果反而讓Horry在左翼45度角附近獲得空檔機會，而Horry也豪不手軟地在三分線外開砲，幫助馬刺逆轉戰局。儘管活塞仍有扳回頹勢的機會，但Richard Hamilton最後一次進攻遭到Tony Parker「貼身防守」而失手，導致活塞以1分之差飲恨。

兩隊今天都各有五名球員得分到達兩位數，馬刺陣營除Horry表現令人驚艷外，Duncan繳出26分、19籃板、2阻攻的雙十成績單， Ginobili貢獻15分、9助攻、6籃板，Parker得到14分，Bruce Bowen亦有10分進帳。馬刺在1999及2003年封王時，都順利拿下第五戰的勝利，今天這場勝利似乎意味著馬刺與總冠軍愈來愈近。

活塞陣營方面，去年總冠軍賽MVP得主Billups不但勇奪全場最高的34分、還送出7次助攻，Hamilton攻得15分，B. Wallace斬獲13分、12籃板，Rasheed Wallace拿下12分，Tayshaun Prince得到10分、9籃板。

日本AISIN海馬昨晚在預賽最後一役面對裕隆時同時擺上三名洋將讓裕隆足了苦頭，今晚(29日)他們在冠軍賽與台啤交手時故計重施，結果依舊收到很好的效果，最後更以92比84暢飲台啤，榮獲今年觀護盃的冠軍殊榮，以分組第一名晉級冠軍賽的台啤得到亞軍。

台啤今天一開始的攻勢相當流暢，加上他們的防守有效壓制海馬長人，使他們在第一節結束時以22比14領先。不過，海馬在第二節再度祭出昨晚讓裕隆吃足苦頭的「三黑」戰術，同使擺上J.R. Henderson、Eric McArthur及Antwain Barbour，讓台啤禁區突然「烏雲蔽日」，海馬也因此在上半場終了時反以8分超前。

第三節初期，台啤趁著海馬只有兩名洋將在場上的時候急起直追，甚至一度逼近至只落後2分，此時，海馬教練團眼見苗頭不對，再度啟用「三黑」策略力穩戰局，並在度把領先的距離擴大至兩位數。

不過，台啤並未提前棄守，甚至在比賽結束1分26秒左右再度逼近只落後6分，但海馬禁區大魔神在Henderson在16秒後完成一次「三分打」，加上吳洋輝、王建惟兩名禁區苦工在最後一分鐘內相繼犯滿畢業，台啤只能眼睜睜看著海馬帶走冠軍殊榮。

Henderson此役豪奪全場最高的28分，絕對是海馬奪冠的重要功臣，Barbour及McArthur各有12分進帳；台啤箭頭李偉民今天貢獻26分，吳洋輝及許皓程各拿下12分，林志聰10分。


● 94/5/29 (週日)
13：00 新浪 VS 菲律賓 → 100-99
14：30 裕隆 VS 東森 → 79-60
16：00 緯來 VS 九太 → 95-92
17：30 日本 VS 台啤 → 92-84

↓↓
1st Place：日本海馬
2nd Place：台灣啤酒
3rd Place：緯來獵人
4th Place：九太科技
5th Place：裕隆龍
6th Place：東森電視
7th Place：新浪獅
8th Place：菲律賓

Manu Ginobili's layup five seconds into Game 3 gave the Spurs a lead they would not relinquish in Saturday's 102-92 win over the visiting Suns.

San Antonio, which led by as many as 20 points, was paced by Tim Duncan, who put up a huge 33-point, 15-rebound effort.

Duncan also sank all 15 of his free-throw attempts, including several in the final minutes that helped quell a fourth-quarter Suns rally.

Ginobili and Tony Parker both chipped in with 18 points.

The win puts the Spurs within one victory of the NBA Finals.

過去都是邀請國內甲組球隊或SBL球隊參賽的花蓮觀護盃賽事，今天特別將規模升級為「國際賽」，並邀請日本及菲律賓兩之外隊參賽，使比賽更有看頭。其中，帶著今年JBL亞軍頭銜參賽的日本代表AISIN海馬隊更是今年觀護盃最受矚目的勁旅。

海馬是今年JBL例行賽期間戰績最佳的隊伍，只可惜他們在五戰三勝制的冠軍賽中以2勝3負敗給東芝Brave Thunders而與總冠軍擦身而過，導致他們僅獲得「準優勝」頭銜。不過，海馬在今年一月份的全日本綜合選手權大會中大殺四方，並完成四連霸基業！

這次來台參加的觀護盃的海馬陣中除了擁有外山英明、納谷幸二、小宮邦夫、瀨戶山京介等前後期日本國家代表隊國手球員，他們這次還帶來四名洋將，雄厚的陣容讓人目光為之一亮，而且他們陣中四名外籍傭兵的來頭都不小。




今天首度亮相就在比賽中有「灌裂籃板」驚人之舉的J.R. Henderson (#32) 可說是海馬陣中最剽悍的戰將，這位身高206公分、體重105公斤的巨漢來自NCAA名校UCLA，最嗆的是，他曾身披溫哥華灰熊陣袍站上NBA舞台。

1998年以選秀第二輪第56順位加盟灰熊陣營的Henderson僅僅替灰熊打過30場賽事，平均出賽時間11分鐘，每場比賽只有3.2分、1.6籃板表現，但他在大學四年期間，平均每場比賽可攻得14.3分及6.4籃板。此外，進入JBL後連續三個球季都入選明星隊的Henderson，本季平均每場比賽可轟下22.9分，排在聯盟第四位，而且他在今年明星賽中繳出26分、9籃板的亮眼成績單，是一名威力十足的戰將。

已規化日本國籍的Eric McArthur (#55) 是年已36歲的老將，來自加州大學聖塔巴巴拉分校的他有6次入選JBL明星隊的資歷，而且他還是今年JBL明星白隊的先發中鋒，並有19分、6籃板表現。雖然McArthur的動作有些遲緩，但他厚實的身材依舊足以讓他在禁區逞兇。

除了Henderson及McArthur原本就屬海馬陣營的洋將外，他們這次還找來Antwain Barbour及Kris Johnson兩名外籍傭兵。

絕大多數的球迷都不認識K. Johnson，但這位畢業於UCLA的箭頭卻有一位名氣相當大的老爸Marques Johnson。大學時期就是UCLA明星球員的M. Johnson擁有11年NBA資歷，待過公鹿、快艇及勇士，生涯共打過691場NBA例行賽事，平均每場比賽可拿下20.1分、7籃板及3.6助攻。此外，M. Johnson是1978年新秀第一隊成員，並先後在1979、80、81、83及86年入選全明星隊，更在1979年榮獲年度第一隊殊榮。




來自肯搭基大學的Antwain Barbour曾投身NBA選秀，但最後卻沒有受到NBA球隊的青睞，他在肯塔基大學兩年打過61場賽事，但平均每場比賽僅有4.2分及2.1籃板進帳。儘管Barbour的名氣不大，但他第一步的爆發力卻相當驚人，在今天面對新浪的比賽中他就曾演出多次精采的飛身灌籃。




▓ 94/5/28 (週六)

13：00 緯來 VS 新浪 → 99-75
14：30 東森 VS 台啤 → 72-83
16：00 菲律賓 VS 九太 → 111-117 (2OT)
17：30 日本 VS 裕隆 → 92-72

●94/5/29 (週日)
13：00 新浪 VS 菲律賓 → 七、 八名
14：30 裕隆 VS 東森 → 五、 六名
16：00 緯來 VS 九太 → 三、 四名
17：30 日本 VS 台啤 → 一、 二名

我們常常聽到一種說法，「紀錄是給人破的」，話雖如此，但有些NBA紀錄，就是沒有人破得了。這些紀錄，有的是因為難度太高，有的是因為時空環境的改變，讓我們從現在的角度看來，很難找到突破的理由及條件，這些紀錄，對球迷而言，不但有一種傳奇的魔力，對球員來說，更是一種高難度的障礙。
　　
上個月的「Basketball Digest」，特別整理出NBA有史以來十個最難被破的紀綠，我和幾個朋友針對此話題展開討論，雖然這十個紀錄確實都具有超高難度，但大家還是有許多不同的看法，因此，我特別匯集了各方意見，選出NBA十個最難挑戰的紀錄並重新排序，也就是所謂NBA的「十大障礙」。這十大障礙，有些實在不可思議到令人瞠目結舌，但別忘了，只要是紀錄，就有被突破的可能，不信？棒球場上的「馬里斯障礙」以及跳遠的「貝蒙障礙」，一度都是不可挑戰的巨大成就，但現在皆已成了昨日黃花。


【TEN】單場兩隊總和37分很抱歉，我要吐嘈自己了，這個障礙，我敢打包票，絕對不可能被突破。
1950年11月22日，活塞和湖人展開了一場防守大戰，最後活塞驚險的1分險勝，比數是19比18，啥？是的，你沒看錯，19比18，兩隊合得37分，寫下NBA單場兩隊最低得分總和。不要再抱怨湖人的副將太遜，因為這場球湖人中鋒George Mikan以外的球員，加起來只得3分；不要再抱怨Pat Riley帶領的熱火隊只會防守，因為熱火的球賽再怎麼難看，也不會只拿37分。其實，這場比賽活塞和湖人的進攻其實沒有你想的那麼差勁，防守也沒有你想的那麼好，當時的NBA沒有24秒進攻限制，因此，球員可以在場上盡情搓麻將，才得以締造這個不可思議的紀錄。四年後，NBA增加了24秒進攻限制，也等於提供了這個紀錄永遠不可能被突破的強力保護傘。

【NINE】Chamberlain單季平均50.4分先提示一下，在接下來的障礙中，你還會再看到Walt Chamberlain的名字。

1961-1962球季，當時打遍天下無敵手，主宰NBA禁區的Chamberlain，整個球季的平均得分是天殺的50.4分，關於這項紀錄有多麼恐怖，我無需贅述。和張伯倫同期的名人堂中鋒Nate Thurmond，願意和每個人打賭這個紀錄不會被打破，「因為現在的NBA教練，根本不可能讓一個球員出手這麼多次。」
　　
【EIGHT】塞爾蒂克的8連霸，所以湖人隊也沒有什麼好臭屁的，他們才達到3連霸而已，連人家塞爾蒂克的一半都不到。
1959年到1966年，塞爾蒂克拿下前無古人、後無來者的8連霸，締造了NBA最著名的綠色王朝，許多籃球之神Jordan的信奉者，或許會這麼想，如果不是喬老大跑去打棒球的話，90年代的公牛或許已經追平這項紀錄。從NBA的曆史看來，拿一次冠軍並不是最難的事情，如何維持冠軍的班底才是巨大的挑戰。在60年代，紅頭Auerbach不太需要去擔心球員合約到期轉隊的問題，而且，現在的球隊至少要經過季後賽4輪的考驗，才能拿到冠軍，但在塞爾蒂克的8連霸期間，有6次季後賽只打2輪、1次打3輸。因此，整個環境及賽制的改變，讓塞爾蒂克的8連霸紀錄，更加高不可攀。

【SEVEN】Chamberlain的單季打滿79場提到棒球場上的鐵人，大家一定想到創下連續出賽2632場的Cal Ripken Jr，但籃球場上的鐵人呢？恐怕不是保持連續出賽紀錄的AC Green，而且創下在一個球季打滿79場紀錄的張大帥。

1961-1962球季，鐵漢Chamberlain永遠不知道「累」的感覺，在全季80場比賽中，他有79場打滿48分鐘，完全沒有休息。更不可思議的是，由於有延長賽的關係，Chamberlain在該季的平均上場時間，竟然是「破表」的48.5分鐘。

【SIX】Jordan的生涯10度得分王NBA會得分的好手何其多，但一直都很會得分的人，並不多見。Jordan就是個中好手，年輕的時候，他很會得分，但年紀大了之後，他還是很會得分。

Jordan總共擁有十座得分王頭銜，第一座是在86-87球季拿到的，當時他24歲，主要*著驚人的體能天賦在得分，第十座是在97-98球季拿到的，當時他35歲，主要*著精準的跳投及多樣的進攻在得分，這十座得分王，見證了一代球王球技成長的曆程。現役NBA球員之中，擁有最多得分王頭銜的是Iverson，總共有3座，和喬丹有著極大的差距，而且，重點是，小艾，撐得到第十座得分王嗎？

【FIVE】Bogues的5尺3寸這個紀錄，是台灣人最有可能挑戰的，但提醒各位，不是只要身高在5尺3寸(160公分)以下就可以了，還要像Tryone Bogues一樣，有能力在NBA生存才行。

籃球是給高個子玩的游戲，更何況是水準最高的NBA，但，就是有像Bogues這樣的怪腳，5尺3寸的袖珍身材，仍舊可以在NBA擔任先發、還打得有聲有色，我就不相信Jordan或Chamberlain，如果是Bogues這種身高，還會這麼厲害。現代人的營養是愈來愈好、NBA也愈來愈重視高度，因此，展望未來，NBA最高球員的紀錄，絕對有機會再向上攀昇，但Bogues的5尺3寸障礙，恐怕很難被突破。

【FOUR】Robertson的單季平均大三元你應該知道所謂「大三元」的意思吧？那就是一個球員在「一場球賽」中，有三項攻守數字達到兩位數；但這裡所說的「大三元」，是指在「一個球季」中，有三項平均數字達到兩位數，天啊！

1961-1962球季，是個非常適合創造驚人紀錄的年代，除了張伯倫之外，辛辛那提皇家隊的Oscar Robertson也不甘寂寞，擔任控衛的他，除了引導全隊攻勢，還一肩扛起得分及搶籃板重任，結果在該季交出平均30.8分、11.4助攻、12.5籃板，完成NBA史無前例的「單季大三元」。因此，下次提到NBA的全能球員時，除了Magic Johnson、Jason Kidd外，別忘了Robertson這號人物。

【THREE】Chamberlain的單場100分，這是他最令人耳熟能詳、津津樂道的紀錄，而且，它同樣發生在1961-1962球季。

1962年3月3日，Chamberlain在4124名觀眾面前，達成單場100分的創舉。40年過去，最接近這項紀錄的，是David Thompson的73分，和Chamberlain的100分仍有27分的差距，一般認為，現今的NBA比40年前更為強調防守，而且，沒有任何NBA教練能夠容忍讓一個敵對球員獨拿100分。曾經和Chamberlain同隊的Al Attles說，「如果NBA增加『四分球』，這個紀綠或許才有可能被打破吧？」

【TWO】單場兩隊總和37分NBA單場最低總得分紀錄，活塞有一份，有趣的是，NBA單場最高總得分紀錄，活塞也有一份，而且最高的370分，剛好是最低37分的10倍。
1983年12月14日，活塞和金塊展開一場轟轟烈烈的進攻大戰，雙方在曆經3度延長賽之後，活塞以186比184擊敗金塊，雙方總共拿下370分，共有4名球員得分超過40分，「只」拿下47分的活塞後衛Isiah Thomas回憶，「那場球雙方投籃都準得要命，誰也守不住誰。」這個紀錄有沒有可能被打破呢？我想，如果小牛隊和國王隊來個n度延長，或許有機會吧！

【ONE】Abdul-Jabbar的生涯6度MVP。魔術和大鳥都夠偉大了吧，但他們兩人都只各拿了3次MVP，這對死對頭加起來，才等於一個Kareem Abdul-J abbar。Abdul-J abbar的6座MVP，有3座是在公鹿隊拿到，另外3座則是在湖人，即使籃球之神Jordan再怎麼偉大，他的5座MVP還是不及Abdul-J abbar。

(貼心小建議：--- 別忘暫停一下背景音樂囉，方可欣賞精采影片喔!)

------------------------------
有他早期在空中的經典動作...
以及飛越中鋒扣籃的畫面...
對上尼克隊火爆的畫面...
92年總冠軍對上"滑翔翼"的畫面...
以及92年巴塞隆納奧運~名震天下的"夢幻一隊"..
當時魔術強森的玩笑話..."不要離喬丹太近"..會被吹犯規~
足見當時Jordan在NBA的地位~!! 可見一般~

2003 San Antonio Spurs … 已經拿下兩枚囉!! 希望邁向第三枚~ ccc…


1996 Jordan復出的第一枚戒指喔~~~ 向世人嗆聲..他才是第一名!! 哈~


至今NBA的紀錄…72勝10敗… 我想應該沒人可以破這紀錄吧!
號稱今年聯盟第一厲害的太陽，也才不過62勝…

(貼心小建議：--- 別忘暫停一下背景音樂囉，方可欣賞精采影片喔!)

------------------------------
喬丹的存在只是要證明他真的是籃球之神
讓大家都知道是他讓NBA推向另一個新的世紀

Believe it or not!!!!

(貼心小建議：--- 別忘暫停一下背景音樂囉，方可欣賞精采影片喔!)

Already one of the NBA’s most talented players for several years, Garnett raised his game to an even higher level in 2003-04 and earned the NBA Most Valuable Player Award. Garnett did it all in his ninth NBA season, leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to their best-ever regular season record (58-24), first division title and first series triumphs in the playoffs (a 4-1 first round victory over Denver and a 4-3 conference semifinal win over Sacramento).

K.G. also set new single-season career-highs in scoring (24.2 ppg, 2nd in the NBA), rebounds (13.9 rpg, 1st in the NBA) and blocked shots (2.17 bpg), in addition to averaging 5.0 assists and 1.46 steals per game.

Garnett’s huge year shouldn’t come as a surprise. In 2002-03, Garnett posted similar numbers but finished second to San Antonio’s Tim Duncan in voting for the 2003 NBA MVP Award. That season, K.G. started all 82 games and posted career-highs in scoring (23.0 ppg), rebounds (13.4 rpg), assists (6.0 apg) and minutes (40.5 mpg).

Indeed, Garnett has come a long way since his rookie season in 1995-96. With his recent dominance on the court, there’s no question K.G. has measured up to expectations. In fact, the 6-foot, 11-inch forward has exceeded them.

Garnett’s surge to stardom began in 1995 when he was drafted by the Timberwolves directly out of Farragut Academy High School (Chicago) with the fifth overall choice in the 1995 NBA Draft. Although an increasing number of players, including LeBron James in 2003, have made the jump from high school to the NBA, K.G. set the table for them when he became the first player in more than 20 years to be drafted directly out of high school.

His pro career was an immediate success as he was named to the 1995-96 NBA All-Rookie Second Team. He broke the Timberwolves’ team record for blocked shots in a season, finishing with 131 rejections in his rookie year.




Garnett’s improvement continued into his second NBA season (1996-97) as he participated in his first NBA All-Star Game. That same year he led the Timberwolves to their first-ever appearance in the NBA Playoffs.

By 1997-98, Garnett was getting into his familiar routine of doing everything on the court: scoring, rebounding, passing and defending. It was only a matter of time before he would get his first triple-double and on Jan. 3, 1998, 19,006 fans at the Target Center saw him get it with a 18-point, 13-rebound, 10-assist performance in a 109-87 win vs. Denver.

The next few years were highlighted by similar outings by Garnett but he was doing more than putting strong numbers on the board each night. His fiery style and enthusiasm served as powerful inspiration for his teammates, and with increased maturity, he took on more of a leadership role.

Garnett earned MVP honors at the 2003 NBA All-Star Game in Atlanta with 37 points, nine rebounds, five steals and three assists. Honors after the season included selections to the All-NBA First Team (his fifth overall All-NBA selection), NBA All-Defensive First Team and second-place finishes in voting for NBA Most Valuable Player and NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

Clearly, K.G. has become the driving force behind Minnesota’s rise to success. The year before he arrived in the Twin Cities, the team had a 21-61 record. Since then, the team has steadily improved. Although a successful postseason eluded the Timberwolves for years, Garnett & Co. discovered a winning formula in 2004.

Garnett has grown from being the “Da Kid” to now being the “The Big Ticket.” He and the Timberwolves have room to grow even more powerful, perhaps into a perennial NBA champion.

 
  WESTERN  CONFERENCE  

Jordan hoists his 97-98 Finals MVP trophy while "super-coach" Phil Jackson hoists the NBA Championship Trophy.


------------------------------
Let the parties begin!

Which team and the star will be the candidate
for these two remarkable trophies as Jordan
and Jackson hoist!!!!??

(貼心小建議：--- 別忘暫停一下背景音樂囉，方可欣賞精采影片喔!)


A question kept asked all around the world :

--- Who can beat the greatness of air

the god of basketball~

Michael Jordan?????

??????????



I guuuess no one, but himself!!! Check this out~~

“Young Michael versus old Jordan”

Now that~~~

is

in the game!!!

1984-87: "Air Jordan"The reward for the lean season was the third pick in the 1984 NBA Draft. The Houston Rockets, picking first, selected Hakeem Olajuwon, who would become one of the NBA's most dominant centers for more than a decade. The Portland Trail Blazers used the second selection for another center, Sam Bowie, whose career would be hampered by a series of injuries. The Bulls took College Player of the Year Michael Jordan, a 6-6 guard from North Carolina.

Chicago improved to 38-44 in 1984-85 as Jordan stepped directly into the starting lineup and began rewriting the Bulls' record book. On his way to the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, Jordan set a team rookie record with 49 points against Detroit on February 12. He was dazzling throughout the year, earning a starting berth in the 1985 NBA All-Star Game. Many compared him to Julius Erving because of his high-flying style of play. Jordan finished the season averaging 28.2 points, third in the NBA behind New York's Bernard King (32.9 ppg) and Boston's Larry Bird (28.7). Jordan also led Chicago in rebounding (6.5 rpg), assists (5.9 apg), and steals (196).

Jordan helped the Bulls back to the playoffs for the first time since 1981, but it was a short visit. Chicago fell to Milwaukee, three games to one, in a first-round series. Coach Loughery was fired after the season.

Stan Albeck was named the new head coach for 1985-86, but the season took a disastrous turn when Jordan sustained a broken foot in the Bulls' third game. Many thought he would miss the rest of the season, but Jordan returned triumphantly on March 15 (after missing 64 games) and helped Chicago to a playoff berth despite the club's 30-52 record.

The Bulls faced Boston in the first round and lost in three straight, but the series was made memorable by Jordan's remarkable 63-point performance in Game 2 at Boston Garden. The outburst established a single-game playoff scoring record, but it wasn't enough to prevent the Celtics from winning, 135-131, in double overtime.

Rugged rookie Charles Oakley joined the Bulls in 1985-86 and immediately established himself as a force on the boards, leading the team with 8.6 rebounds per game. He grabbed a club-record 18 offensive rebounds against Milwaukee on March 15. Chicago was still searching for the right coaching formula, and the Bulls fired Albeck after the season.

With yet another new head coach, Doug Collins, in for 1986-87, the Bulls improved to 40-42. Chicago qualified for the playoffs for the third straight season but was again eliminated by Boston in the first round.

The team's record was a secondary concern for most fans, who had their eyes riveted on team superstar Jordan. In late November and early December he went on a rampage, scoring 40 or more points in nine consecutive games. On February 26 he poured in 58 points against the New Jersey Nets, including a record 26 of 27 free throws. On March 4 he hit for 61 points against Detroit. Just a month later, on April 16, he matched that performance with 61 against Atlanta. That season Jordan became the first NBA player to reach 3,000 points in a season since Wilt Chamberlain did it in 1962-63.

Jordan led the league in scoring at 37.1 points per game, his career high for a season. He set Bulls single-season records for points (3,041), field goals (1,098), free throws (833), and steals (236). His output was rewarded with the first in a series of All-NBA First Team selections.

Tim Duncan's Dunkin'
His talk isn't trashy and his game isn't flashy - but that hasn't stopped Tim Duncan from becoming one of the world's greatest basketball stars. Just ask the New Jersey Nets who were helpless against Tim's scoring, rebounding and shot blocking during the 2003 NBA Finals. Tim Duncan was named the MVP of the playoffs for helping San Antonio win their second NBA Title. The victory ended a great year for the seven foot power forward who also won the NBA's regular season Most Valuable Player award and was named to the league's All Defensive Team.

Duncan's Basketball Beginnings
That's not too bad for someone who didn't start playing organized basketball until he was in grade nine. Tim Duncan was born in St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands. Duncan began swimming at an early age and was one of the top swimmers for his age group in the 400-meter freestyle. However, in 1989, Hurricane Hugo came along and destroyed many parts of the Virgin Islands, including the pool where Tim Duncan would always swim. After that, Duncan decided to start shooting hoops and it turned out to be a pretty good choice.

Tim Duncan Gets Drafted
He received a basketball scholarship to Wake Forest University in 1993 and was the first player picked in the 1997 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs. Tim Duncan made an immediate impact in the National Basketball Association. He was named the NBA's Rookie of the Year in 1998 and led the Spurs to their first NBA Title in 1999. Tim Duncan is not the most exciting player and doesn't turn people's heads with killer crossovers or acrobatic dunks. But, other NBA players always know when Number 21's on the court. Tim Duncan's size, arm span and strength makes life miserable for his opponents. Duncan shoots from the outside, scores from the inside, blocks shots, helps his Spurs teammates get open and Tim Duncan can single-handedly win basketball games. It may not be flashy but you won't be getting any complaints from fans of the San Antonio Spurs.





Tim Duncan Tidbits
．Tim Duncan has a large knife collection, including a three foot samurai sword.
．Tim and his wife, Amy, formed the Tim Duncan Foundation in 2001 which raises money for education and youth sports and recreation.
．Tim Duncan's biggest fears are sharks and heights (You wouldn't think someone who's seven-feet tall and 260 pounds would be afraid of anything!)
．Tim's birthday is April 25th.