Jordan

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Jordan (乔丹), identified as Michael Jordan 124
Alias(es)	God of Basketball; Black Jesus; His Airness; Old Scoundrel 123 214 215
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Chicago Bulls (former); Washington Wizards 124 192
Occupation/Role	Professional basketball player; Wizards President of Basketball Operations; commentator; Wizards minority owner 192 316 468
Status	Retired player; later remains involved with the Wizards as a minority owner 468 624
First Appearance	Chapter 123

Background / History

Following his retirement, Jordan continues training at Chicago's United Center. There he meets Sun Hao, who bluntly tells him that he intends to dominate him. Rather than taking offense, Jordan becomes curious about the rookie, watches him play against the Bulls, and begins following his progress. 123 124 125

After a one-on-one game in which Jordan defeats Sun Hao 6–4, Sun bets that winning Rookie of the Year will compel Jordan to return to professional basketball. Jordan agrees. When Sun later wins the award, he leverages the bet into private mid-range shooting instruction; Jordan honors the agreement despite trying to avoid discussion of his comeback. 126 192 193

Jordan ultimately returns to the NBA with the Washington Wizards, later publicly revealing that Sun Hao's bet was the original spark for his comeback. He takes a direct interest in rookie Yao Ming, first evaluating him at Sun Hao's training camp and later becoming a demanding on-court mentor. 209 210 235

His comeback is defined by flashes of elite performance tempered by declining stamina and knee problems. Jordan remains capable of carrying the Wizards offensively, but his desire to prove himself often pushes him beyond his physical limits. During his “Last Dance” Finals against the Mavericks, he forces the series back from a 0–3 deficit before exhaustion and knee pain limit him in Game 6; he ultimately recognizes Sun Hao as his successor. 214 216 305 310 311

After his playing career, Jordan remains influential around the league. He provides roster advice as a Wizards executive, comments on the 2003 Draft, supports the Wizards as a minority owner, and continues appearing at All-Star events and retired-player competitions. 316 320 468 624

Appearance

At his first meeting with Sun Hao after retirement, Jordan is described as bald, wearing training clothes, chewing gum, and sporting a small mustache. 123

• Bald head and a consistently self-assured bearing. 123 124
• Often chews gum during games and conversations. 123 309
• Wears thick knee pads during the latter stages of his Finals return due to knee trouble. 311

Personality

Jordan is intensely proud, competitive, and image-conscious. He enjoys the crowd's adoration and rarely misses an opportunity to demonstrate that he remains exceptional, whether through a comeback performance or newly developed three-point shooting. 124 380 381

He is drawn to challenges and respects players who confront him directly. Sun Hao's confidence, trash talk, and refusal to defer to him initially amuse Jordan, then earn his long-term admiration. 124 215 382 661

Jordan is notoriously harsh toward young players during basketball activities, criticizing mistakes immediately and using trash talk even when evaluating his own future teammate, Yao Ming. Off the court, however, he becomes encouraging and warm once a player proves receptive and capable. 198 210

Abilities & Skills

Isolation Scoring and Footwork

Jordan remains an elite one-on-one scorer, relying on post-ups, fakes, turnarounds, bank shots, reverse layups, and his signature fadeaway jumper.

• Scores his first Wizards basket on a difficult reverse layup at age 38. 214
• Uses physical post play and a bank shot to score through Sun Hao's pressure. 215
• Makes a turnaround fadeaway over Kevin Garnett to score his 30th point in his final All-Star Game. 278
• Scores 40 points in a playoff game at age 40, setting the record for the oldest player to reach 40+ points in the postseason. 310

Perimeter Defense

Jordan's defensive footwork, anticipation, and active hands allow him to pressure elite guards and disrupt larger opponents.

• Strips Yao Ming cleanly in the post despite the size mismatch. 210
• Blocks Finley's layup after appearing too exhausted to continue. 215
• Forces Sun Hao into difficult attempts with textbook footwork during their Finals matchup. 306

Willpower and “Divine Descent”

Jordan can temporarily elevate his performance through sheer competitive drive even after his stamina is depleted.

• Scores 17 points in a quarter while visibly exhausted, then completes an and-one after being helped off the floor. 216
• Delivers a 40-point Finals performance after declaring that he will not be underestimated. 310
• The exertion from activating “Divine Descent” leaves him barely able to walk and aggravates his knees. 311

Basketball Analysis and Mentorship

Jordan possesses elite technical insight and applies it as a teacher, evaluator, and executive.

• Identifies the limitations of Sun Hao's one-motion shooting form and recommends a catch-and-shoot-focused mid-range game rather than a full two-motion conversion. 193
• Evaluates Yao Ming personally, gives immediate corrections, and changes his attitude once Yao demonstrates adaptability. 209 210
• Seeks Sun Hao's opinion on Wizards roster moves and acts on his recommendation to pursue Gilbert Arenas. 320

Three-Point Shooting

Although once associated with poor three-point-contest results, Jordan deliberately improves his outside shot after retirement.

• Makes a three-pointer in the Shooting Stars competition and publicly credits post-retirement practice. 380
• Repeats the feat in the event's later round, surprising fans with the consistency of his shooting. 381
• Participates in a retired players' three-point contest, making an eyes-closed shot as part of his five-point contribution. 624

Relationships

• Sun Hao — Rival, student, and eventual successor figure. Sun's Rookie of the Year bet helps inspire Jordan's comeback; Jordan later trains him in mid-range shooting and publicly credits him as the original reason for returning. 126 192 235 311
• Yao Ming — Wizards rookie whom Jordan personally evaluates and coaches. Jordan is severe during training but comes to respect Yao's teachability and potential. 209 210
• Charles Barkley — One of Jordan's only close friends; Barkley supports him during his comeback and Finals run. 306
• Jerry Krause — Former Bulls executive with whom Jordan has a notably hostile relationship; their conflict contributes to Jordan's distance from Bulls affairs after retirement. 124
• Grant Hill — An early candidate to succeed Jordan. Jordan regards Hill as an exceptionally complete player and reacts emotionally to Hill's later resurgence. 511
• LeBron James — James views Jordan as an idol and seeks his recognition; Jordan later acknowledges Sun Hao as the more complete player while discussing James's potential. 316 450

Notable Quotes

“The God of Basketball does not lose in the Finals.” 286

“Kid, I've done all that before.” 161

“No matter when you are, no matter how many times you've failed before, you should never give up hope.” 468