via Getty
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 12: In this handout image provided by Jordan Brand, Michael Jordan paid a visit to Palais 23 this afternoon on Friday June 12, Joined by his frequent partners-in-design Tinker Hatfield and Mark Smith, key figures in the 30-year evolution of the Air Jordan, Jordan has returned to Paris to mark the 30th anniversary of 1985’s Air Jordan One. Palais 23 is a spectacular tribute to the shoes, moments, designs and artifacts that have shaped the 30-year evolution of the Air Jordan. (Photo by Jordan Brand via Getty Images)
via Getty
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 12: In this handout image provided by Jordan Brand, Michael Jordan paid a visit to Palais 23 this afternoon on Friday June 12, Joined by his frequent partners-in-design Tinker Hatfield and Mark Smith, key figures in the 30-year evolution of the Air Jordan, Jordan has returned to Paris to mark the 30th anniversary of 1985’s Air Jordan One. Palais 23 is a spectacular tribute to the shoes, moments, designs and artifacts that have shaped the 30-year evolution of the Air Jordan. (Photo by Jordan Brand via Getty Images)
6x NBA champion and Hall of Famer Michael Jordan dominated the NBA in the 80s and 90s. After winning their fifth championship, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls visited Paris, France. It was Jordan’s second visit to France’s capital. During the 90s, Jordan was regarded as the best player in the world; he was a global superstar. Many fans and journalists went as far as to call him a God. Jordan once had a humble response when asked about his divinity on the France trip.
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After winning their fifth championship, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls visited the city of love to meet the country’s fans and play in the McDonald’s championship.
Michael Jordan had had his share of struggles along with all the unreal success in the past decade. Unfortunately losing his father, and retiring from the game, Michael was set out for different things in life. However, he made a comeback to the sport he loved dearly. In his first full season back, he once again led the Bulls to a championship. Winning two in a row, the team was set out to celebrate in grand fashion. People of France had the chance of a lifetime.
Michael Jordan found it embarrassing to be called a ‘God’
The Chicago Bulls bested the Utah Jazz in a thrilling six-game series in the 1997 NBA finals. Michael Jordan won his 5x NBA finals MVP following his brilliant performance.
When one journalist addressed Jordan as ‘God,’ Jordan humbly denied his alleged Divinity. He further admitted that he could never consider himself one. “I play a game of basketball, I try to entertain for two hours and then let people go home to their lives; I could never consider myself a god.” said MJ. Jordan also talked about how he found it embarrassing when people called him a ‘God.’?“It’s certainly an embarrassing situation for me.”??Though Jordan was a very competitive individual on the court and brash with his teammates, he always maintained an amicable relationship with his fans.
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In the off-season following the championship run, the Chicago Bulls went to Paris, France, to play in the McDonald’s world championship. The Bulls unsurprisingly won the tournament after besting Greece Olympiacos in the finals.
The Prime minister of France, 27,000 fans, and dozens of journalists had come to see Jordan and the Bulls play in the tournament. French journalists called Michael Jordan many names on his second visit to Paris along with the Chicago Bulls.
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Watch the Story – How many gold medals does Michael Jordan have in the Olympics?
At the time, Michael Jordan was a global superstar. The iconic Chicago Bulls jersey with 23 on its back was worn by millions of fans worldwide. Michael Jordan was instrumental in the adoption of the NBA by global fans. Many fans consider the 6x NBA champion, 6x Finals MVP, and Hall of Famer the greatest basketball player ever.
