Free Michael Jordan: Legends in Sports by Matt Christopher

win the MVP award in consecutive seasons for both the regular
     season and the playoffs.
    “Come next June you’ll probably be expecting a third from me,” he told the media after the game,“but for now this championship proves the first one was no fluke.” In reference to his earlier troubles, he then added: “This
     season has been a learning experience for me. I’m a better person for everything that has happened.”
    That was bad news for the other teams in the NBA. If there was anything they didn’t need, it was for Michael Jordan to get
     any better than he already was.

CHAPTER EIGHT

1992–1993
The “Dream Team” and Beyond
    After such a grueling season, no one would have blamed Michael Jordan if he had taken the summer off. But he didn’t. For the
     second time in his basketball career, he joined the United States Olympic basketball team.
    In 1992, for the first time ever, professional athletes were allowed to compete in the Olympics. Playing with a team of collegians
     in 1988, the United States had lost to the Soviet Union. Determined to avenge the 1988 loss, they created a “Dream Team” made
     up of the best players in the NBA, plus one college player.
    Magic Johnson came out of retirement to play on the team, and Larry Bird decided to join him. Utah forward Karl Malone and
     point guard John Stockton agreed to play, as did centers Patrick Ewing of theKnicks and Davis Robinson of the Spurs, forward Chris Mullin of the Golden State Warriors, Clyde Drexler of the Trail Blazers,
     and Charles Barkley of the Phoenix Suns. Even Michael Jordan’s teammate Scottie Pippen agreed to play. Christian Laettner
     of Duke represented the NCAA.
    At first, Michael was unsure whether or not to play. He was tired, and he wanted to spend time with his family. Then Michael
     realized that the 1992 Olympics gave him a unique opportunity. He would have a chance to win a second Olympic gold medal,
     something very few athletes have been able to do. He would also have the chance to be a teammate of players like Bird and
     Magic. As opponents, each had pushed the others to play their very best. All-Star games gave them a chance to play together,
     but as Olympians, they’d all be reaching for the same goal.
    Before the Olympics even began, the U.S. team had to qualify in a pre-Olympic tournament. In the very first game, Michael
     made the play of the tournament. As a ball bounced free at the sidelines near midcourt, he raced to save it. He leaped out
     of bounds, caught the ball, and fired a behind-the-backpass to a wide-open Larry Bird under the basket! Only then did he crash-land into the stands.
    Despite the fact that Bird missed more of the tournament with a sore back and guard John Stockton broke a bone in his hand,
     the United States swept to five straight victories, winning by an average of more than 50 points. They were more than ready
     to face the best the world had to offer.
    The Olympics were held in Barcelona, Spain, in late July and early August. From the moment the Dream Team arrived, its members
     were the most popular athletes at the Olympics. Off the court, athletes from all over the world swarmed the NBA stars at every
     opportunity. No one was more popular than Michael Jordan. The games were broadcast around the globe, soon making Michael Jordan
     the most recognizable athlete in the world.
    On the court, the Dream Team was unstoppable. In most games, they opened up a huge early lead and spent much of the rest of
     the game entertaining the crowd with a dizzying variety of astounding plays. Sometimes, even their opponents just stopped
     and watched in amazement.
    On the best team in the world, Michael Jordanwas the best player. Because the team had so much firepower, Michael spent most of the tournament passing the ball, rebounding,
     and playing defense. He helped make sure everyone was involved in the offense.
    The Dream Team won all eight games it played, crushing Croatia 117–85 in the finals to