Michael Jordan's NBA debut with the 1984 Chicago Bulls | ESPN Archive

Watch the highlights from Michael Jordan's 1984 NBA debut with the Chicago Bulls.
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[@Marce_701]

Jordan missed his first shot and for the rest of his career he took it personal

[@koalabears980]

Yes.

[@TheKingOfRuckus]

Yes sir, lol

[@gavinperry8433]

This might actually be true

[@Justfacts10000]

Missed a bunch more shots too but ok

[@Marce_701]

@@Justfacts10000 lol its a joke

[@mpa1931]

Michael's play style was way ahead of its time, 1984 wasn't ready for it.

[@katrinagwen]

Oh no, 1984 was totally ready from day 1 to see a LEGEND in the making. And MJ gave ‘em exactly that…and then some!

[@stevenettore378]

1984 wasn't ready for Marinos 48 TD passes also....

[@w4tt58]

Doctor j played in the 70's ya know? The guy who inspired this style of play to MJ?

[@everdash]

His first game of his career was against the team he would end his career on. How poetic.

[@christophergargaro959]

Same way he took the first shot by the Bulls in his first game with them and the final shot in his last game with them.

[@Paddy_Walsh]

MANCHESTER UNITED F.C Ok

[@mattin3188]

MANCHESTER UNITED F.C ok

[@learnbot1838]

@M ok

[@krystake5178]

@M I still don’t understand who asked?

[@brentparker9527]

I think this Jordan kid could be something. If he keeps it up, he’ll be a great player.

[@TheBulletproof86]

His movement is pure beauty. 🐐

[@arxvphoto809]

Jordan missed his first shot in the NBA, how have I never heard this in a motivational speech.. Lol

[@sadcase457]

ARXV Photo Where was you at with the time stamps G?

[@arxvphoto809]

They're filtering comments now fam, don't think it can be done anymore

[@MrUrkel0730]

Bro that's all you will probably have to say. That would kill!! Lol

[@sadcase457]

ARXV Photo damn

[@paytongarcia2546]

Well, Walter Payton got 0 rushing yards in his first game I’ve never heard that either

[@zyrover]

His leaping ability and athleticism were truly amazing.

[@aj3682]

I am so grateful that I got to witness him play in his prime throughout the 80's and 90's.

[@chancecooper9246]

Something I regret is never seeing him play in person. Watched him my entire teenage years though.

[@oakkblackbird]

@@chancecooper9246 Same here. I was younger and broke then..

[@user-rr3fo6hy9q]

I have a story I'm ashamed to tell as a sports fan. When I was 17 my dad and I were watching the 98 Finals game 6 together in the living room. We got in some spat and I walked off. I missed the last few minutes of the game. I will forever kick myself for that. I don't even know what the argument was about but probably something dumb. And I missed the GOAT hit his last shot as a Bull. What a friggin moron I was lol.

[@chancecooper9246]

@@user-rr3fo6hy9q yeah but thats a great story and lesson you can always tell the younger fellas! lol

[@caseyhoffman6087]

Crazy meatriding

[@douglascarlson9006]

I was at this game. He got 16 pts. Actually walked right by him earlier that day at the Palmer House.

[@awwskit9753]

He just played the game with so much style they all played the game but Jordan made it look effortless.

[@JohnDoe-zr8pc]

MJ averaged 28 ppg in his rookie year. That’s insane.

[@charcoalcowboy]

Yes until you realize that isn’t even top 5 for a rookie all time

[@JohnDoe-zr8pc]

@@charcoalcowboy It’s tied for 4th.

[@BigNickTx]

There will never be another

[@brothermalcolm6245]

There's already a better one , he wears the Number 23 , is 6'8" and was born in December 1984.

[@patrickbeverlyakawestbrook3434]

Brother Malcolm who choked 2 clutch free throws yesterday. LeBron=Greatest stat padder ever

[@gloedup150]

Facts Jordan the Goat

[@fortminor.]

Brother Malcolm keep telling that to yourself bronsexual.

[@michaeljorgod6-0goat30]

Brother Malcolm Game winning/tying shots in the Finals with 25 seconds or less Jordan = 4 on 8 attempts (50%) - 1991 Finals Game 3 - Game tying shot to force OT - 1997 Finals Game 1 - Buzzer beater over Russell - 1997 Finals Game 5 - Go-ahead 3 with 25 seconds - 1998 Finals Game 6 - Championship winning steal and shot LeBron = 0 on 5 attempts (0%) - missed game tying shot in Game 3 of 2007 Finals - missed game tying shot in Game 6 of 2013 Finals - missed game winner in Game 1 of 2015 Finals - missed game winner in Game 2 of 2015 Finals in the 4th quarter - missed game winner in Game 2 of 2015 Finals in OT MVPs Jordan - 5 Lebron - 4 Championships Jordan - 6 Lebron - 3 Finals MVPs Jordan - 6 Lebron - 3 Scoring Titles Jordan - 10 Leborn - 1 Defensive Player of the Year Jordan - 1 Lebron - 0 All Def-First Team Jordan - 9 Lebron - 5 Steals titles Jordan - 3 Lebron - 0 Finals losses Jordan - 0 Lebron - 5 Healthy seasons missing the playoffs Jordan - 0 Lebron - 2 Most PPG averaged in the NBA Jordan - 41.0 (1993) Lebron - 35.8 (2015) - and on just under 40% shooting Jordan >>>>>> LeCHOKE

[@richardminter9462]

How does he hang in the air like that? He just moves so differently than anybody else. The 🐐

[@MrZZsharka]

Yep and back then the spring in the shoes weren’t as good as they are today.

[@2011hwalker]

@@MrZZsharka nowhere near, they were awful in comparison to today. Genetically he is a better athlete than any guard that has ever played.

[@str8htflexxin683]

It's his big hands. He's actually in the air the same time as everyone else but his big hands allows him to hold the ball a little longer, which ultimately makes it look like he's hanging in the air longer. I know because I have big hands and's can do the same thing. I'm just 5'9 though 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@katrinagwen]

His vertical leap is still highest recorded (I recall).

[@Warffles]

@@katrinagwen MJ and Wilt are tied at the top with 48" verticals in their respective primes (Spud Webb at 5'7" had a 46" vertical, insane!). MJ was also blessed with enormous hands (rank #8 all-time NBA's biggest hands - any position) and relatively small feet (sz 13) compared to his height which aided in his lightning fast & nimble footwork. In addition to these natural & freakish gifts, he's also one of the most competitively minded athletes to play a sport (and he was not injury prone) - who somehow maintained that "chip on his shoulder" drive throughout his career - despite the success & distractions. Along with all that his very high sense of style, intelligence, business acumen, swag, loyalty to city+team & his leadership skills all lead to him being the Greatest Of All Time, easily. Not a horrible actor either. He also obliged my brother's request to shake his hand at a MotoGP event in 2007. No one else is even in the same hemisphere as MJ and it might be another 100+ years before somebody truly equivalent comes along (in any sport) again.

[@BlackPantherrStudios]

Michael Jordan was the best ball player back then, and there will never be another like him. His legacy in the NBA will never be forgotten. Great classic NBA video.

[@JPlays2K]

Kobe got the closest...🥺🙏🏾

[@Wjdjfks]

@@JPlays2K Lebron did

[@kashshhds8824]

There will be someone better than him just a matter of time decades

[@ry_an.]

@@kashshhds8824 doubt it

[@horacejohnson1730]

Well, as time goes on, new gen kids growing up go have their own best players and won't know anything about Jordan. You already see that happening with LeBron's gen kids so when you say to them, Jordan is the true Goat, a basketball God, they just think you're full of "chit" and scream KING, for LeBron. Dumb @$$es.

[@Soyodi]

Jordan misses his first shot Jordan: "I took that personally"

[@Righteous1ist]

He already had amazing unstoppable skills as a rookie wow

[@evanwilliams6406]

Jordan was a great creator on the basketball court. I always was in awe of his creativity on your court. It inspired me to be creative in my life. Jordan made basketball an art form.

[@JoshBreakdowns]

3:29 Jordan is already hitting the turnaround fadeaway

[@altoniocromes]

Debuted against the wizards....retired as a wizard.

[@kingsleyjackson8287]

Tony Cromes that’s some magic

[@zaco21_]

I think this may of been before the Wizards were known

[@chrisdadrilla]

Tony Cromes this was the bullets at the time not wizards bro

[@woo_shynen8805]

Christon Marche Jr. MvP 23 still technically the wizards my guy

[@chrisdadrilla]

4hunnid .a not really my guy bullets and wizards don’t relate, only the city is the only relation just name is different.

[@michaelkenyon6173]

The world had no idea who that man trotting on to the court for the first time, would mean so much to the city of Chicago and the NBA. 🐐

[@jiujitsu94]

I remember this. I was 8 years old. My dad said he would be the best ever.

[@533xavier]

I smell cap

[@AntdaGreat]

@@533xavier same

[@B14ever]

How old are you?

[@jiujitsu94]

@@B14ever too old :(

[@Dru_Won]

@@533xavier a whole lot of people thought he was the best player they'd ever seen before he ever played a pro game

[@halohalo8576]

He just floats. What a thing of beauty

[@ruditopoderoso]

His first game and the crowd was going nuts for him already

[@catcherboy96]

Fr. And an away crowd

[@NPC8474]

@@catcherboy96 That's in Chicago at the old Chicago stadium which was shared by the Bulls and Blackhawks and had gotham city style stone sculptures all around the sides of the building. It was a really awesome atmosphere there, I remember going to games there and watching Jordan as a kid. You don't get that kind of energy in today's cookie cutter stadiums.

[@ericgold8500]

Lol he missed his first shot in the NBA, that's something I didn't knew. This people in the Stadium were so lucky, they witnessed the first game of the greatest athlete in the story of mankind. GOAT!

[@randman21]

It's wild to me that in his very first game, the commentators said he makes his other teammates better, and that's the number one thing MJ is known for.

[@m.l.9199]

Changed the game since day 1 forever. There is other GOAT than MJ.

[@walkers198]

Jordan was the #3 pick in the NBA draft. Rest of his career he took it personal..

[@benhernandez2219]

Even legends started as a rookie,it's life

[@brocktonbensch1356]

Spoiler Alert: He becomes the GOAT.

[@krlllx]

Arguably

[@easymoneysniper4876]

LeBron is the real goat 🐐

[@JonathanEva]

@@easymoneysniper4876 🤣

[@theguyyoudontknow1103]

RM Prod. LeBron is the second goat

[@edwardwatson3316]

😊

[@cpetrizzi]

Noone knew 100% he was the GOAT during this game. However, his seemless transition into the NBA was astounding, including his smooth moves, flawless dribbling, and command of the crowd. Very few HoFs accomplished this in their NBA debut. Just an observation. MJ's shot was so impressive because the arc was quite flat compared to a higher parabolic shot. This meant he had to be more accurate. However, it enabled him to shoot quicker and get the ball in the net faster. All adding to MJ's mystique.

[@OS1540]

Not to mention he was a field goal guy, so he didn't take a lot of 3 point shots during his career, relatively speaking. The 15 foot spot up or turnaround jumper was his shooting zone.

[@clay1108]

Bob Knight did, even before this game

[@gilbertblankenship6481]

Believe it or not, Bob Knight said he was the best player that he'd ever seen after coaching the Olympic team. Fact.

[@OS1540]

@@jaker9901 What do you mean? MJ even said in an interview he doesn't settle for a lot of 3s because he prefers to go to the basket. Everyone who watches MJ knows this

[@docj72]

Very impressive. I think this young man has a bright future ahead of him.

[@vincepham2997]

His nba debut was unbelievabull..the nba would never be the same again..goat

[@Eighty8k]

It’s like they all knew he’d be a legend From the commentators to the crowd, they were all in on MJ from the beginning

[@lbo9134]

The skill. The flair. It was a sight to behold, and it wasn't a contrived flair like so many others that came after him.

[@mikestone7651]

I just auctioned off my ticket to this game, last Thursday online, for $20,000! Thank you, Mister Jordan!

[@3-methylindole730]

Worth way more than just 20k

[@professional7603]

I d have paid a million!

[@ChrisDodges123]

4:23 DO YOU HEAR THAT???? Makes his teammates look better than they actually are.

[@VickStarkiller]

When Michael Jordan did the commercial where he said he missed 9k shots in his career, they should’ve shown a brief flashback to this. His first shot in the NBA was a brick. That’s unbelievable.

[@deathchair2006]

MJ will always be the GOAT and once in a lifetime athlete.

[@high-defRJ]

This Michael Jordan guy, he's something special. The kid's only 21, he's gonna be mentioned among one of the greats.

[@christiano2349]

Takes off from the nearly the free throw line in his first game.. That much self confidence on day one hasn't been seen in any sport

[@gopinathkarunanithi3973]

MJ's entire career was a miracle.

[@tabathabrabham2384]

GREATEST OF ALL TIME 🙌 MICHAEL JEFFREY JORDAN #23

[@RighteousUncle]

Man had all the moves since day 1.

[@Mektek19]

So beautiful, that is the way to describe his game.

[@KOTJ412]

There will never be anyone like him...they can emulate but will never originate...period..he definitely changed the game(most exciting player ever).

[@OlSkoolin]

Kobe

[@jdmikeg4]

In an alternate universe, we call him “Mister Jordan”

[@MrEOM41]

Beginning of the greatest basketball player ever

[@luciokamus4837]

After all he's jumping or flying rhumb to basket, Jesus Christ!!and he's fadeaway was so perfect!!!man

[@aasdesta6607]

The crowd knew he will become GOAT

[@TralfazConstruction]

He's the only reason I watched basketball. When Michael Jordan walked-off the court for the last time as a Chicago Bull, that was it for me.

[@oasis5683]

No Micheal Jordan no basketball for me.

[@paulnokio1199]

I quit watching when the bulls finally beat the pistons in the playoffs lol.

[@kbotah2023]

So did a lot of people. Basketball was just not the same. And if you were from Chicago then it was impossible to watch after he left.

[@Cwm368]

Same

[@gbone1812]

I think it be the same for me when LeBron retires

[@bobyale6159]

6 championships in 14 years. Could've been 8. Man, great times to be a Chicagoan.

[@jaymuzikelsensacional]

12 years, don't forget he missed his second year and he missed 94 and half of 95

[@bananasinpijama8616]

What an atmosphere!

[@AdolphSaxOfficial]

missed his first shot, he a bust..

[@capalot_2360]

AdolphSaxOfficial 😂😂😂

[@lifewithgthemac161]

💀💀💀💀💀💀💀

[@quantumtp5872]

Bruhhhh

[@darius1935]

Agreed I definitely thought I was the only person who thought this smh sad sad day in bulls history if only MJ lived up to the hype smh sooo much wasted talent

[@infinitehardcorecombatgami3152]

AdolphSaxOfficial not even close

[@vinporac7832]

No one but Michael Jordan is the only one who jumps first and thinks what he's going to do with the ball shoot or pass

[@michaelcarter6554]

BEST decision Chicago Bulls ever made.

[@SPtheGREAT]

THE FREAKING 🐐!!!

[@christophermorales1509]

It would have blown the mind of someone in the audience if you had told him that the ticket stub from this game would be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars 40 years later.

[@michaelbrown3063]

Love Michael Jordan old films

[@super_man838]

Little do they know he os going to be a legend

[@chrisurena2490]

0:32 has 6 bulls logos with the name of the team 6 logos 6 championships they probably knew 😂😂😂

[@bossjay6190]

Yeah 3 logo on the left and 3 logo on the right.. signify the 2 three peat.

[@FartBart14]

Boss Jay this is 1984 bro

[@bossjay6190]

@@FartBart14 yeah we know, the coincidence of the 6 bulls logo is what we meant.

[@FartBart14]

@@bossjay6190 ahhh i see i thought u was confused my bad g

[@purposepassionandlovetv863]

Good catch, wow.

[@legionDC]

Michael Air Jordan have the style nobody can duplicate or surpass

[@molerjsliva9277]

The way he shoots as he's coming down from a jump is magic.

[@vdLeo-je6os]

Only Kobe could immitate him

[@codyfritzler1373]

Kobe was the remix

[@MichaelCobbs]

Excellent video.

[@naezyhan9467]

my man

[@LITTLE1994]

Man, the people back then did not know a HUGE world legend was awaiting them that would become the G.O.A.T. of basketball!

[@fabianveron5449]

MJ the best.

[@brentbarker3233]

Best of the best always. The basketball GOAT

[@jaymuzikelsensacional]

That free throw layup 😮

[@Chalo-ng3nv]

Beautiful.

[@Tray-5]

Everything changed in the league on this day 🎉

[@kdroofing2680]

And the rest is history The beginning of the Greatest

[@junko6873]

Imagine him playing today as his first NBA game

[@GeronFletcher]

Jordan rocking the Nike Air Ships. His signature Air Jordan’s weren’t created yet at the time.

[@kincamell2]

Much Gratitude

[@edwardmoulaison1359]

Wow! He was really good

[@cristiansalinas6147]

Jordan will always be the best

[@emiliano4963]

1 segundo mas en el aire que cualquier mortal, se desplazaba en el aire , el tipo volaba y no era joda, un crack el mejor de todos los tiemmpos

[@qceaz11]

The greatest player ever I still not understanding why there is still a debate

[@soundautomatic1]

In part because no one seems to notice how poorly the rest of the goat candidates shot the ball outside of just a few feet from the basket. While the Wilts, Lebrons, Russells, Kareems could/can accumulate huge stats all 4 had/have a much more limited ability to affect the end of a game. All were mediocre to poor FT shooters. If you have 5 goat candidates but only 1 without a significant weakness ... there's your goat.

[@777thanatos777]

The Birth of "THE AIR"

[@bigworm3446]

Damn, he's wearing jordans

[@jce1417]

No they’re airships not Js

[@vicc5951]

@@jce1417 what was the first ever jordan shoe he wore in game? Was it the banned 1 colorway, or the chicago 1 colorway?? 🤔

[@kimo5509]

Jordan and the City of Chicago made basketball famous around the world ! Would Jordan be so famous if he were a laker?

[@jackson3068]

Probably

[@NOcode]

Ok...they need to post this entire game. Seriously this is a absolute unedited without commercials raw copy that has to be shared for historical purposes

[@David_R922]

Any old-school Bulls fans from pre-1984? What was the general opinion about Michael Jordan before he played any games for the Bulls? Did anyone have an idea what he would become on and off the court?

[@AdamAhujaMusic99]

that ceremonial jump ball had no idea what it was actually going to be memorializing

[@yowhatsmyname]

Wow, Universal game.

[@shanehernandez390]

Might of missed his first one. But became the goat. Best ever bottom line. That's why he went so crazy in his career. Watch the last dance. When he had a bad game he game back harder than ever

[@chrisc.172]

"He's gonna make everybody on this Chicago team look better" Can't think of a comment that's ever aged better

[@ianalan4367]

That was cool… thanks!

[@seerednation295]

As they say..the rest is nba history💯💯💯💯

[@pashanoble9359]

I think this kid has a future. Only time will tell.

[@jeremyfuller1026]

My first pair of men's shoes were air Jordans, wore them until they had holes in the soles

[@sananto6896]

How could two NBA teams not pick Jordan during the draft? But as it turned out, Chicago Bulls was a perfect setting for Jordan.

[@kaspafischer]

Houston at the no. 1 position picked Hakeem... Hardly a mistake... As for Portland at no. 2... who did they draft again? 😂

[@vincetubio2235]

​@@kaspafischer clearly not a mistake from Houston, at least Hakeem won two rings with the Rockets (more like their hard work was paid off)

[@seanslawns]

Lol the fist bumps at the beginning are hilarious

[@carlin2235]

2:24 Jordan's signature shot.

[@professional7603]

the people in the stadium had NO idea what was going to happen in following 15 years!!!!

[@royorr7479]

Birmingham Alabama been on the map. That first guy that was introduced Ennis Whatley straight from the HAM.

[@southp1992]

Those Bulls jerseys 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽

[@khemheru1439]

Would be nice to have the whole game on this... Good stuff

[@PakRT48]

1:47 look at the number of Bulls logo at the scorers table at Michael Jordan's first Bulls game: 3 on the left, 3 on the right. A sign for a threepeat, then another threepeat. Unreal. Might as well change the "Chicago Bulls" title to "Chicago White Sox" to make it even spookier.

[@kjaff1917]

instant star

[@LASR2ND]

Only time ESPN is interesting is when they upload videos of his airness.

[@gemini1567]

The Goat!