On Friday, October 26, 1984, the 21-year-old Jordan made his Bulls debut with great antiquity, taking on the Washington Bullets in the dilapidated home arena. Jordan missed his first shot from 18 feet out just 21 seconds into the game, but a minute later, he made his first steal from Washington guard Frank Johnson. A minute later, Jordan leaped high from the left to complete a heavy dunk on the head of Bullets center Jeff Louland, who knocked Jordan to the ground, but Jordan got back to his feet, although he later complained that the impact had caused some pain in his neck and head.
Both Jordan and Luland believe the collision was unintentional, but it also foreshadows Jordan's offensive pattern of blowing up baskets in the air in his early years. With 7:27 left in the first quarter, Jordan scored his first NBA point with a 12-foot jumper on the right side of the free throw ring. However, nervousness kept his shooting form up and down throughout the night, and he made just five of 16 shots in the game, totaling 16 points, seven assists and six rebounds. While he missed 11 shots, he also had five turnovers.
After the game, Jordan said: "It's a good start to my career for me. My main concern tonight is to get everybody involved. First of all, I think you have to fight hard yourself;Then, you've got to get the big guys to find their form;In the end, everything will fall into place. ”
Jordan's rookie night was full of anticipation, challenges and setbacks, but it also bodes well for a brilliant career ahead.