2009 marks the 25th anniversary of when two of the finest athletes to ever play their respective sports were drafted- Michael Jordan and Mario Lemieux.
I couldn't help but notice that there were a lot of similarities between both of these athletes that go beyond being drafted in the same year.
Consider:
Both players saved floundering franchises (at the time). Both the Bulls and Penguins were teams that were founded in 1967, had some flashes of brilliance in the late 1970s, but floundered in the 80s and were at rock-bottom by 1984.
Both were considered future stars-to-be (Lemieux dominated the Quebec leagues, Jordan was a star at North Carolina)
Both won their sports' respective rookie-of-the-year award in 1984-85
Both won their first MVP award in 1988 (and also won the same award in 1996)
Both also coincidentally won scoring titles in the same years- Lemieux won scoring titles in 1988, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1996, and 1997. In those same years, Michael Jordan won the NBA's scoring title.
Both athletes are considered among the most exciting, entertaining, fun-to-watch players to ever play their respective sports (Lemieux is considered hockey's best one-on-one player; Jordan is one of the NBA's great dunkers)
Both won their first-ever championships in 1991, and followed it up a year later with another one.
In 1991 and 1992, both players also were named playoff MVP.
So what do you think? These guys are very similar in terms of coinciding years, the excitement they brought to their respective sports, and their legendary status in each league.
I couldn't help but notice that there were a lot of similarities between both of these athletes that go beyond being drafted in the same year.
Consider:
Both players saved floundering franchises (at the time). Both the Bulls and Penguins were teams that were founded in 1967, had some flashes of brilliance in the late 1970s, but floundered in the 80s and were at rock-bottom by 1984.
Both were considered future stars-to-be (Lemieux dominated the Quebec leagues, Jordan was a star at North Carolina)
Both won their sports' respective rookie-of-the-year award in 1984-85
Both won their first MVP award in 1988 (and also won the same award in 1996)
Both also coincidentally won scoring titles in the same years- Lemieux won scoring titles in 1988, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1996, and 1997. In those same years, Michael Jordan won the NBA's scoring title.
Both athletes are considered among the most exciting, entertaining, fun-to-watch players to ever play their respective sports (Lemieux is considered hockey's best one-on-one player; Jordan is one of the NBA's great dunkers)
Both won their first-ever championships in 1991, and followed it up a year later with another one.
In 1991 and 1992, both players also were named playoff MVP.
So what do you think? These guys are very similar in terms of coinciding years, the excitement they brought to their respective sports, and their legendary status in each league.
