Hooped Up

During the ’85-’86 season, Michael Jordan only played 18 regular games in his sophomore season due to breaking an ankle just three games into the schedule. Chicago Bulls management wanted him to sit out the season, but he insisted on coming back to lead the Bulls into the playoffs.

The Bulls got swept in the first round, but not before Jordan scored a playoff record 63 points against the Boston Celtics, prompting Larry Bird to say “I didn’t think anyone was capable of doing what Michael has done to us,” marveled Celtics ace Larry Bird. “He is the most exciting, awesome player in the game today. I think it’s just God disguised as Michael Jordan.”

With his newfound downtime, the 23-year old Michael Jordan decided to do the David Letterman show in the reddest track suit you’ll ever see. He talked about school, coming back from injury, dunking, his first pro coach Stan Albeck getting fired and all the products he represented like: McDonald, Coca-Cola, Chicagoland Chevrolet, Johnson hair care products, Guy Laroche watches and some fancy Nike shoes called the Air Jordan — I wonder if that ever took off in the marketplace???

Jordan also talked about retiring at 32 years-old to join the PGA tour, I guess that dream was delayed by dominating the NBA. Priorities, priorities.

After the jump, watch the entire interview.