History on This Day: Jordan earns ninth All-Defensive selection
On May 6, 1998, Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan was named to the NBA All-Defensive first team, becoming the first player in history to accomplish that feat nine times.
Jordan averaged 28.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.7 steals in 82 games during the 1997-98 season, his last with the Bulls. He was named the Most Valuable Player that season after leading the league in scoring and leading the Bulls to their sixth title.
While Jordan was one of the best offensive players in history, the Hall of Famer was also a lockdown defender. He was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1988 and his nine All-Defensive first-team selections are tied for the most in history.
He never finished lower than the first team during his career.
Jordan earned his first All-Defensive first-team honor during the 1987-88 season and then won each year until his first retirement following the 1992-93 season. He won his final three selections over the last three years of his career with the Bulls.
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