NBA: All-time starting 5 of the 1980's

Shooting Guard - Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls)

Michael Jordan

Yes, I know he was drafted in 1984 and didn't play half the decade but that's what makes him even more special. Jordan was drafted to a well below par Chicago Bulls. He didn't lead his team to a championship, but really turned the Bulls' fortunes quickly. From being lottery picks when he came into the league, he turned them into contenders by the end of the decade. Only the Pistons and Celtics were able to get the better of him in the Playoffs.

Individually, Jordan was unstoppable. He was named an All-Star in every year he played during the decade. He was named MVP once (1988) and came second in the voting on two occasions. He also won three scoring titles. In 1987, he became only the second person to score over three-thousand points in a season. The following year he led the league in points and steals. He won his first MVP and Defensive Player of the Year award in the same season (1987-88).

He also broke a record that stands till date for most points in a playoff game when he scored sixty-three against the Celtics in 1986 even though he had just returned from a broken ankle which kept him out for sixty-four games.

Not bad for a start in the NBA huh?