Image via Complex Original
Michael Jordan has made 13 All-Star appearances during the tenure of his remarkable career. (*He was selected in 1986 but did not participate due to injury*) Jordan showcased his scoring ability and great showmanship year in and year out, winning three All-Star MVPs. He was voted a starter for each one of his appearances and delivered highlights in every last one of them. So, in celebration of His Airness' 50th birthday, take a look at a History of Michael Jordan's Best All-Star Moments.
RELATED: The Most Expensive Michael Jordan Memorabilia Ever Sold
RELATED: 50 Things You Didn't Know About Michael Jordan
RELATED: Infographic: Michael Jordan vs. Kobe Bryant vs. LeBron James
LIKE COMPLEX SPORTS ON FACEBOOK
Rookie-Freeze Out
Year: 1985
Stat Line: 7 PTS, 2 AST, 6 REB
The West won the 1985 All-Star game in Indianapolis, but that's just the side story. Legend has it that Magic and Isiah Thomas orchestrated a plan to freeze rookie Michael Jordan out of the game. The message was received loud and clear and with that a rivalry was born. MJ years later would make sure Isiah wasn't part of the Dream Team, and this personal rivalry was on constant display during those epic Bulls vs. Piston matchups. There isn't many Jordan highlights from this game due to the freeze-out, but MJ's baseline slam is one of the best in the game.
MJ's Splits the D
Year: 1987
Stat Line: 11 PTS, 4 AST
In 1987, Michael Jordan gathered a record number of All-Star votes and despite not having a great performance, MJ still had a couple highlight worthy moves. One of which is this athletic move to the hoop, splitting the defenders, and putting the ball in the basket. Without MJ at his best, the East was unable to stop the Western All-Stars, and lost in OT 154-149.
Block and Dunk
Year: 1988
Stat Line: 40 PTS, 3 AST, 8 REB
It's fair to say that the 1988 All-Star game was the finest of MJ's career. For starters, All-Star weekend was in Chicago on Jordan's home court. And he began the weekend winning the best slam dunk contest ever with a memorable showdown with Dominique Wilkins. Finally, the East won the game courtesy of MJ's MVP performance. He exploded for 40 points and showed off his skills on both sides of the floor. Watch as he blocks Karl Malone, and throws down the double-pump.
MJ Throws it Down
Year: 1989
Stat Line: 28 PTS, 3 AST, 2 REB
Down in Houston, the 1990 All-Star game went to the West but that's not to say Jordan didn't leave us with a great moment. Zeke hits him with the pass off the backboard, and His Airness slams it with some english. Watch it over, and over, and over, and over.
MJ's Pretty Dish to Barkley
Year: 1990
Stat Line: 17 PTS, 2 AST, 5 REB
In an All-Star game packed with future Hall of Famers, it was MJ who delivered the lasting memory. With only two assists on the night, Jordan made 'em count with a sweet dish to Barkley that left the crowd mesmerized.
Coast to Coast
Year: 1991
Stat Line: 26 PTS, 5 AST, 5 REB
In a thrilling two-point, highly-contested All Star game, Jordan takes it coast-to-coast and finishes with a finger roll only the Iceman would appreciate. Mike led all scorers with 26.
Just Another Day at the Office
Year: 1992
Stat Line: 18 PTS, 5 AST, 1 REB
The West ran away with the victory in the 1993 All Star game in Orlando. They rallied behind Magic Johnson, who was making an emotional return to the court after retiring three months prior because of HIV . Although Magic Johnson took center stage on this night, MJ still put together another amazing All-Star performance. From throwing down one-handed tomahawk dunks, to elevating in the air and dropping off a sweet pass to Ewing, to a dirty crossover through the lane and creative layup around David Robinson, Jordan is always shined bright.
Friend or Foe? Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas
Year: 1993
Stat Line: 30 PTS, 5 ASTS, 4 REB
One of the cool things about All-Star games is that it places players who've never played with each other on the same team. You have a roster of superstars from various squads all trying to coexist with each other. In the case of the 1993 All-Star game, and unlike 1985, Isiah couldn't freeze out a much more experienced and respected MJ. The rivalry took a backseat, as Isiah throws a pinpoint alley-oop to MJ. The play sent the crowd into a frenzy in one of the most memorable moments in All-Star game history. Despite putting up 30, MVP honors went to Stockton and Malone in a West win on their home floor.
MJ gets a Laugh and the MVP
Year: 1996
Stat Line: 20 PTS, 1 AST, 4 REB
In his first All-Star game after his try at baseball, MJ seems glad to be back and in good spirits as he pulls Penny Hardaway's pants down during the starting lineups. Jordan and Shaq team up to make a deadly combination during the game and for the sake of everybody else; thank God they where never on the same team during the tenure of their respected careers. The East gets the win and Jordan receives his second All-Star MVP award.
The First Triple-Double in All-Star History
Year: 1997
Stat Line: 14 PTS, 11 AST, 11 REB
At the 1997 All-Star game, the fans in Cleveland were witness to history as Michael Jordan completed the first triple-double in NBA All-Star history. Alongside game MVP Glen Rice, they led the Eastern All-Stars to a decisive victory.
Class is in Session
Year: 1998
Stat Line: 23 PTS, 8 AST, 6 REB
When you factor his "last" All-Star game, the new kid on the block in Kobe Bryant, and the Mecca of basketball, the 1998 All-Star game is undoubtly one of the all-time best. Kobe did his thing, dropping 18 and snatching six boards, but his idol schools him on the art while taking home the MVP.
MJ is Back!
Year: 2002
Stat Line: 8 PTS, 3 AST, 4 REB
We all got very excited when MJ said he was coming back to the NBA. Jordan landed a job in the Wizards front office after his second retirement. He came back to play for Washingston for the 2001-02 season and donated his salary to the victims of 9/11. During the first half of the season, MJ was selected to his thirteenth All-Star game. Although, the West won behind Kobe Bryant's return to Philadelphia, Mike was able to have a highlight of his own, blowing by Tim Duncan for the slam.
The Fadeaway God
Year: 2003
Stat Line: 20 PTS, 2 AST, 5 REB
Vince Carter showed the ultimate sign of respect deciding to decline his spot in the starting five in favor of Michael Jordan. In his last All-Star game MJ did not disappoint. He drained a textbook Jordan fadeaway which should have stood as the game-winner if it hadn't been for Jermaine O'Neil and his bonehead foul at the end of OT. Regardless, MJ left us with another great moment and had the fans in Atlanta at the Philips Arena on the edge of their seat the entire night.