The one and only Michael Jordan has joined NBA on NBC as a special contributor.
Noah Eagle, who will call NBA games next season on NBC, has been told that Jordan is “legitimately excited” about joining NBC.
“I was told that he was legitimately excited,” Eagle said on the Awful Announcing Podcast with Brandon Conteson. “Jon Miller, who is a long-time NBC Sports guru, I’m going to call him. He’s one of the higher-ups within our division. And he and Michael have known each other for decades, going back to when the NBA on NBC was in its heyday and Michael was winning championships, and have only grown closer and closer over time. So, I know Jon was instrumental in making it happen.
“And I asked him, I said, ‘Is he legitimately in on this?’ And he was like, ‘Yes, he’s fully, fully in.’ Whatever that means is great. I have no idea what he’s going to be doing, but I just love the fact that I can walk around and be like, ‘You know my colleague?’ ‘Who’s that?’ ‘You know, Michael Jordan. No big deal. Just a Hall of Famer. Some would say he’s the greatest basketball player ever, but, yeah, he’s also my co-worker.’ I’ve enjoyed doing that to people. I’ve probably been overly annoying about it. But I look forward to it. Whatever it is, I just know he goes all in on anything he does. So, I look forward to watching him grow as a broadcaster, as well.”
Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to six championships in the ’90s. All six rings were aired on NBC.
The Bulls beat the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1991 NBA Finals, the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1992 Finals, the Phoenix Suns in the 1993 Finals, the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1996 Finals and the Utah Jazz in the 1997 and 1998 Finals.
“I am so excited to see the NBA back on NBC,” Jordan said in a statement. “The NBA on NBC was a meaningful part of my career, and I’m excited about being a special contributor to the project. I’m looking forward to seeing you all when the NBA on NBC launches this October.”
Jordan had two stints with the Bulls. He won one Defensive Player of the Year Award, three steals titles, 10 scoring titles, five MVPs, six championships and six Finals and made 12 All-Star teams, 11 All-NBA teams and nine All-Defensive teams.
In 930 games with the Bulls, Jordan averaged 31.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 2.5 steals and 0.9 blocks. He guided the franchise to two three-peats and went undefeated in the NBA Finals (6-0).
Jordan came out of retirement for a second time in 2001 and played two seasons with the Washington Wizards. He averaged 21.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.5 blocks in 142 games with the Wizards.
Arguably the greatest player in NBA history, Jordan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009. He was also named to the 75th Anniversary Team in 2022.
Jordan is first in NBA history in points per game in the regular season and postseason. He averaged 30.1 points in the regular season and 33.4 points in the playoffs.
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