Michael Jordan's 2009 Basketball Hall of Fame Moment

(image source: NBA.com)

Finally, his Airness has taken his rightful spot amongst the greatest legends on the hardwood, ever. Many have called Michael Jordan the greatest basketball player of all time, and on Friday, September 11th, 2009, he was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Jordan's career made the #23, the Chicago Bulls and finesse basketball all part of the art form. His greatness extended from beyond the hardwood floors but to pop culture and mainstream commercials such as McDonald's, Coca-Cola, Gatorade, Nike and others. MJ and his symbolic Jumpman logo became a iconic household symbol. Air Jordans by Nike became a status symbol, and basketball became the game everyone wanted to play. All thanks to inspirational players which included Michael "Air" Jordan.

The ceremony Friday night had to be moved from the traditional Hall of Fame venue to a bigger-capacity Symphony Hall which accommodates around 2,600 people. Jordan's Hall of Fame speech in Springfield, MA, was full of quips, comments and recollections of what made him the elite basketball player he became. He discussed being cut from his high school team in the 10th grade, and being restricted from appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a college freshman. Jordan also put everyone one notice "There's not going to be another Michael Jordan".

"You guys are constantly trying to find that next Michael Jordan," Jordan said. "First of all, you didn't find me. I just happened to come along and next thing you know, here I am."

Amongst Jordan's fellow Hall inductees were David Robinson, John Stockton and current Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan. Jordan was presented by another basketball legend and UNC alumni, David Thompson.

Of course the internet was also buzzing about Jordan's girlfriend, Yvette Prieto. Reportedly, Michael and Yvette, a 30 year old Cuban model, have been dating since 2008, with the duo rumored to be getting married soon. See a picture of the couple here. For years, Jordan had been married to Juanita, with the couple divorcing in 2002 due to "irreconcilable differences". Much like MJ's retire-return to the court career, the couple came back together, then officially ended the marriage in 2006. The couple has three children, sons Jeffrey Michael and Marcus James, and daughter, Jasmine.

Jordan joked at one point that he still loves the game and you just might see him one day playing in basketball shorts at age 50. The crowd laughed, but Jordan told them to:

"Never say never, because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion."

While Jordan may have been joking during his suggestion of a possible third un-retirement at age 50, most fans are content with what Jordan has already given to the sport for many years. His legacy lives on as current players continue to hold their own careers up to Jordan's.

A key closing moment of Michael Jordan's Hall of Fame speech discussed exactly what the game meant to him:

"The game of basketball has been everything to me," Jordan said. "My refuge. My place I've always gone when I've needed to find comfort and peace. It's given me my most intense pain and my most intense feelings of joy and satisfaction."

Read more about Jordan and the Hall of Fame at Google AFP News

Jordan Headed to Hall of Fame

(It's time...)

Michael Jordan is a six time NBA Champion, five time NBA MVP, won two Olympic Gold Medals and an NCAA Championship at University of North Carolina. Add to that multiple scoring titles, many all-star game appearances, retirement-comeback stories, taking a swing at a baseball career, playing ball with Bugs Bunny, lucrative endorsement deals as well as his own status as a CEO and brand. Now Jordan's impressive basketball resume has lead to him being named one of 16 finalists for the 2009 Hall of Fame. Was there any doubt?

A few of Jordan's Dream Team buddies have also been nominated. Former San Antonio Spur, David Robinson, one of the league's best assist-men in John Stockton (Utah Jazz), and sharpshooter Chris Mullin (Golden State Warriors) all were included as Finalists. Former Celtics great Dennis Johnson was nominated as were NBA Coaches Don Nelson and Jerry Sloan, and women's coach C. Vivian Stringer. The 16 finalists made a cut from 164 total choices.

According to Google News Associated Press:

Other finalists include former Golden State coach Al Attles, who was nominated as a contributor; Bob Hurley Sr., who has more than 900 wins at St. Anthony's High School in New Jersey; Vladimir Kondrashin, who coached the Soviet Union to the 1972 Olympic gold medal, defeating the U.S. in a controversial final; Pereira "Ubiratan" Maciel, a player known as "The King" in his native Brazil; Richie Guerin, a six-time NBA All-Star with the New York Knicks and a former player-coach with the St. Louis and Atlanta Hawks; and Johnny "Red" Kerr, a longtime Chicago Bulls commentator who was named NBA Coach of the Year in 1967 after leading the expansion Bulls into the playoffs in their first season.

The announcement of who gets in this year will be made on April 6th at the NCAA Final Four in Detroit. The official enshrinement comes September at the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachussetts. While all 16 finalists can officially get elected are there any doubts over names like MJ, Stockton, Mullin, Bernard King and The Admiral making it?