Michael Jordan dominated the NBA at the height of his career, winning six championships split into two different three-peats in the 1990s.
Jordan won everything he possibly could during his iconic 15-year career, racking up a boatload of individual awards and establishing arguably the most well-recognized brand in professional sports history.
|Michael Jordan - Career NBA Accolades (1984-2003)|
|Hall of Fame Class of 2009|
|14-Time NBA All-Star|
|10-Time NBA Scoring Champion|
|3-Time Steals Champion|
|6-Time NBA Champion|
|11-Time All-NBA|
|1984-85 NBA Rookie of the Year|
|9-Time NBA All-Defense|
|3-Time NBA All-Star MVP|
|1987-88 NBA Defensive Player of the Year|
|5-Time NBA MVP|
|6-Time NBA Finals MVP|
NBA 75th Anniversary Team
Before he established himself as the greatest basketball player of all-time, however, Jordan had to prove himself against some other NBA legends as he came up in the league as a young man in the 1980s.
In a 2006 interview with SLAM Magazine, Jordan was asked to name his dream starting five of the era he played in (including himself), which was littered with some of the most iconic names the sport has ever seen.
His answers were interesting — with some being borderline controversial — as His Airness sorted through some of his top rivals from over the years.
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Point Guard – Magic Johnson
Jordan did not hesitate to pick his good friend
Jordan did not hesitate to name Magic Johnson as his team's starting point guard.
"Magic Johnson is, without a doubt, the point guard."
The L.A. Lakers legend was one of the most entertaining players and best point guards to ever hit the hardwood, capturing five NBA titles and three MVP awards throughout his illustrious career.
Jordan beat Magic and the Lakers to capture his first title in 1991, as Johnson passed the baton as the best player in the league to his good friend.
The two fierce rivals were teammates on the 1992 Dream Team, winning gold with Team USA at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.
Small Forward – Scottie Pippen/Larry Bird
Jordan couldn't decide between his running mate and Larry Legend
Jordan had a much more difficult time choosing the small forward for his dream team, calling it a tie between his Chicago Bulls running mate Scottie Pippen, and Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird.
"I would have a tough time at the small forward position, because that's taking Scottie Pippen and Larry Bird and splitting them," Jordan told SLAM.
We can't say we blame Jordan for the hesitation. Pippen was right there alongside Air Jordan as Chicago captured six champions between 1991 and 1998, going unbeaten in six NBA Finals appearances.
The Robin to Jordan's Batman, Pippen is recognized as one of the best all-around players of all-time, and among the best defenders the game has ever seen.
Bird, meanwhile, could easily be on the Mount Rushmore of NBA forwards, having excelled with the Celtics in his 13-year career.. The Indiana State product revived the NBA in the 1980s thanks to his rivalry with Magic Johnson, while securing three NBA titles and three MVP awards.
At 6-foot-9, Larry Legend was the ultimate facilitator, known for his elite vision and playmaking ability, while also displaying unique creativity as a scorer and proficiency at shooting the ball from deep.
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Power Forward – James Worthy
Jordan went with his college teammate over Kevin McHale and Karl Malone
The 80s and 90s were a great time for power forwards in the NBA, with some of the best pl best players at the four spot making their mark on the history of the game during Jordan's playing days.
Kevin McHale was integral to the Celtics' dynasty alongside Bird, Karl Malone won two MVPs and led the Utah Jazz to back-to-back Finals appearances against Chicago, and friend-turned-foe Charles Barkley thrilled fans with his athleticism and explosive style for over a decade.
But Jordan went a little off the board with his choice at power forward, picking his University of North Carolina teammate James Worthy.
"At the four, you're talking Kevin McHale, you're talking Karl Malone, and then you're talking about James Worthy. I'm gonna take James because I'm a Carolina guy," Jordan said.
Worthy and Jordan played one season together at UNC, winning the NCAA National Championship in Jordan's freshman year and Worthy's junior season.
James Worthy Career NBA Stats (1982-1994)
Games
Points
Rebounds
Assists
Field Goal %
Worthy would go on to have a tremendous NBA career, going first overall in the 1982 NBA Draft to LA, and winning three titles as part of Magic's Showtime Lakers.
Center – Hakeem Olajuwon
Including The Dream was a "no-brainer" for Jordan
Hakeem Olajuwon
Jordan had no issues making his choice for the starting center on his team, going with Houston Rockets superstar Hakeem Olajuwon.
Olajuwon is among the greatest centers to ever play in the NBA, and was arguably the best two-way middle man the sport has seen.
"At center, I'd go with Olajuwon, that's without a doubt. I mean, I never saw Jabbar in his prime, and Patrick (Ewing), and I love Patrick, but I would have to say the versatility of where the game was going, Olajuwon was by far the best at the center position," Jordan explained.
Jordan caught the tail-end of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's storied 20-year NBA career, despite The Captain lifting three championships with the Lakers while Jordan was in the league.
Patrick Ewing was the biggest part of a contending New York Knicks team during the 1990s, but the fact that he could never get his team over the hump probably factored in Jordan's decision to leave him out of his dream five.
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