40. 30,000 Points Club
Photograph By Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images
Jordan, the Wizard, became the fourth player in NBA history to score 30,000 career points when he sank a free throw against the Bulls on Jan. 4, 2002. It took Jordan 960 games to reach 30,000, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain. Kobe Bryant became the fifth and youngest member to join the 30,000 club in December 2012.
39. MJ, Bobcats Owner
Photograph By Kent Smith/NBAE/Getty Images
Many Bulls fans hoped MJ would stay connected to the Bulls through some type of ownership deal, but their hopes went in vain as Jordan became the first former player to become a majority owner of a franchise when he purchased the Charlotte Bobcats in February 2010. He became the second black majority owner of a major pro sports team, replacing Bob Johnson, who was the first. Jordan grew up in North Carolina and helped lead the UNC Tar Heels to an NCAA title.
38. Retiring No. 23
Photograph By AP Photo/Fred Jewell
The Bulls raised the banner commemorating title No. 3 and retired Jordan's number on Nov. 1, 1994, only to take it down from the rafters when he returned to the Bulls in 1995.
37. Jordan's First Retirement
Photograph By Jonathan Daniel/ALLSPORT
Amid reports of excessive gambling on golf and the murder of his father less than two months after winning his third NBA title, Jordan announced his retirement from the NBA at age 30 on Oct. 6, 1993. "When I lose the sense of motivation and the sense to prove something as a basketball player, it's time for me to move away from the game of basketball," Jordan said that day.
36. Returns As A Wizard
Photograph By Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images
After saying he was "99.9 percent" certain he would not play again when he retired from the Bulls in 1998, Jordan announced on Sept. 25, 2001, that he was returning to basketball with the Washington Wizards. He signed a two-year contract. Jordan donated his salary to relief agencies working with victims of the Sept. 11 attacks.
35. Blind Free Throw
Photograph By Tim Defrisco/ALLSPORT
In a Nov. 23, 1991, game against the Denver Nuggets, Jordan had some fun with Dikembe Mutombo at the free throw line with five seconds left in a Bulls victory. "Hey, Mutombo. This one's for you," Jordan says, and makes a free throw with his eyes closed.
34. It's Gotta Be The Shoes
Photograph By AP Photo/Fred Jewell
Writer/director Spike Lee turned his character, Mars Blackmon from the film "Do The Right Thing," into an Air Jordan shoe pitchman along with Jordan in a series of spots that debuted in 1988. Shot in black and white, Blackmon wondered how Jordan could be so good and decided "It's gotta be the shoes," one of many memorable MJ marketing slogans.
33. Defensive Player of the Year
Photograph By Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
Jordan didn't want to be viewed exclusively as a scorer. His defensive skills were as sharp, if not as flashy, and he became the first player in NBA history to win Defensive Player of the Year and MVP awards in the same year when he did it in 1988. He's one of the all-time leaders in steals and set records for a guard with blocked shots.
32. 'The Shot II'
Photograph By Jonathan Daniel/ALLSPORT
Jordan continued to torment Cavaliers fans with another buzzer-beating shot (photo not available) to eliminate them from the playoffs. He followed up 1989's "The Shot" with "The Shot II" in the 1993 Eastern Conference semifinals, clinching a sweep of the Cavs when Jordan hit a shot at the elbow to break a tie.
31. Seattle Slammer
Photograph By Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images
After finishing runner-up in the 1985 dunk contest, Jordan won in 1987 in Seattle with a series of spectacular slams, including his iconic leap from the free throw line.
