Jerry West Was Surprised Michael Jordan Became A Superstar With Bulls Despite Watching Him In College: ‘I Never Thought He’d Be This Special’

The late great Jerry West was surprised NBA icon Michael Jordan became a superstar with the Chicago Bulls despite watching him in college at UNC. 

Jordan played three years at UNC. He hit the game-winning shot in the 1982 NCAA Championship Game against Georgetown. 

The Bulls drafted Jordan with the third overall pick in the 1984 NBA Draft. 

“I loved him in college,” West told the Chicago Tribune in 1989. “But I never thought he’d be this special. He has the quickness, the acceleration, the hand-eye coordination and his skill level is incredible. He’s the complete package and dominates a game like no one else.”

Jordan was special the minute he stepped foot in the NBA. He won the Rookie of the Year Award after averaging 28.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 2.4 steals and 0.8 blocks. 

In 1987-88, Jordan won the MVP Award, the Defensive Player of the Year Award and the scoring title. MJ is the only player to do that. 

The Bulls won their first championship in 1991 against the Los Angeles Lakers. They became a dynasty after that. 

Jordan led Chicago to titles in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 1998. The Bulls beat the Portland Trail Blazers, Phoenix Suns, Seattle SuperSonics and Utah Jazz (twice) in the NBA Finals. 

Jordan had two stints with the Bulls. He won five MVPs, six championships, six Finals MVPs, three steals titles and 10 scoring titles. Chicago went 6-0 in the NBA Finals in the Jordan era. 

Jordan played two seasons with the Washington Wizards before retiring from the NBA for good in 2003. He finished his legendary career with averages of 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.3 steals and 0.8 blocks. 

A Hall of Famer, Jordan is first in NBA history in points per game in the regular season and playoffs. He also holds the record for the most points scored (63) in a postseason game. 

West is the logo of the NBA, but Jordan is universally recognized as the greatest player of all time.