Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a name synonymous with the game of basketball. In his career spanning over three decades, Jordan has mesmerized the NBA audience and has rightfully earned the GOAT status. All the dazzling performances confirm one thing: his participation in the NBA All-Star game on 14 separate occasions.
Though Jordan retired in 2003, a significant part of his legacy remains attached to the flagship game of the NBA. His Air Jordan brand has become a part and parcel of the NBA All-Star game, and this year is no different.
Michael Jordan’s 2024 NBA All-Star game involvement
Despite his last appearance in the NBA All-Star game coming in 2003, Michael Jordan has been linked to the game in some capacity over the years. His Airness’ the Jordan Brand will design the jerseys for the 73rd NBA All-Star game. The Eastern Conference team will be seen in their blue jerseys and the Western in their red on the 18th of February in Indianapolis.
In describing the uniform, the NBA stated, “Designed from the idea that basketball was raised in Indiana, the uniforms are rooted in a nostalgic, heritage look that features a tonal twist on the classic red and blue uniforms with cream lettering. The pinstripes are inspired by the iconic Pacers uniforms in the late 1990s and early 2000s.”
This will be the seventh time in a row that the brand will design the jerseys for the stars. The precise details on the jerseys make it all the more befitting. There is “All-Star” written on the front with the logo right below it, and vertical lines pay tribute to Indianapolis. The five stars on each side of the jersey represent each member of the team on the court.
The circle around the logo is for paying respect to the Indianapolis Monument Circle, with 6 stars encircling it to symbolize the 12 All-Star members from both teams’ rosters. For the final touch, there is an ASG mark on the belt buckle of the shorts.
Michael Jordan’s NBA All-Star game history
MJ played his first All-Star game in 1985 where he scored 7 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists in the 22 minutes he played as a starter in the Eastern Conference but sadly it ended with a 140-129 loss. He won the All-Star game MVP three times in his 14 appearances and averaged 20.2 points per game with a win-loss record of 6-8.
Jordan’s first of the three MVPs was in the year 1988, where he played phenomenally and managed to score 40 points, leading his team to a 138-133 win. Jordan won the second one in 1996 with 20 points in a 129-118 victory, and his last one was in 1998 with 23 points, where his side won by 135-114.
Michael Jordan ties Shaquille O’Neal, Oscar Robertson, and LeBron James with the same number of NBA All-Star MVPs. The six-time Championship winner played his last All-Star game in 2003 and collected 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists, but much like his first game, his side lost by 155-145. An emotional Jordan bid goodbye to the game, but his last shot is still remembered by fans all over the world even after two decades.
