Michael Jordan 1988 Defensive Player of the Year

Lore & Background

Jordan's 1988 Defensive Player of the Year award is part of his legacy as a two-way player. He averaged 3.2 steals per game that season and was named to the All-Defensive First Team nine times in his career.

In Their Own Story

In high-stakes matchups against arch-rivals like Boston, the dynamic shifted whenever Jordan locked onto a ball handler. The Chicago Stadium crowd sensed the change before it happened—a sudden silence as he stripped the ball from a veteran star or contested a shot without fouling. He didn't just recover; he sprinted ahead, the crowd roaring as he launched into the air for a thunderous dunk that echoed through the arena's rafters. As he landed, he pointed at his own chest, then at the stunned opponent: a silent declaration that on this night, he was everywhere.

Reader's Guide

Jordan's defensive prowess was a key factor in the Chicago Bulls' six NBA championships. His ability to guard multiple positions and his relentless competitiveness made him a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate.

Did You Know?

• Jordan won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in 1988.
• He is one of several guards to win the award, including Gary Payton (1996), Marcus Smart (2022), and others.
• Jordan also led the league in steals that season with 3.2 per game.